For Community Archives

Keeping or Restoring Your Medicaid Benefits

Written by Josh Engard on January 29, 2024. Posted in For Community, Medicaid, Navigation Resources, Uncategorized.

Have you lost your Medicaid benefits and aren’t sure why? Are you confused about why you lost your Medicaid benefits? You may still be eligible to receive Medicaid. Some cases may even be eligible to have past services covered. These resources can help:

Local Resources – Jefferson County:

Jefferson County Dept. of Human Services
900 Jefferson County Parkway
Suite 170
Golden, CO 80401

Phone: 303-271-1388
Fax: 303-271-4207

Waivers Served: Brain Injury Waiver (BI), Children with Life-Limiting Illness Waiver (CLLI), Children’s Home and Community Based Services Waiver (CHCBS), Community Mental Health Supports Waiver (CMHS), Complementary and Integrative Health Waiver (CIH), Elderly, Blind and Disabled Waiver (EBD)

Developmental Disabilities Resource Center
11177 W. 8th Avenue
Lakewood, CO 80215

Phone: 303-233-3363

Waivers Served: Children’s Extensive Support Waiver (CES), Children’s Habilitation Residential Program Waiver (CHRP), Children’s Home and Community Based Services Waiver (CHCBS), Developmental Disabilities Waiver (DD), Supported Living Services Waiver (SLS)

Local Resources – Clear Creek and Gilpin Counties:

Adult Care Management, Inc. – Single Entry Point (SEP)
1455 Dixon Avenue
Suite 105
Lafayette, CO 80026

Phone: 303-439-7011
Fax: 866-931-0763

Developmental Disabilities Resource Center
11177 W. 8th Avenue
Lakewood, CO 80215

Phone: 303-233-3363

Waivers Served: Children’s Extensive Support Waiver (CES), Children’s Habilitation Residential Program Waiver (CHRP), Developmental Disabilities Waiver (DD), Supported Living Services Waiver (SLS)

Other State Resources:

Connect for Health Colorado

Health First Colorado and Child Health Plan Plus Grievance Form

For the first time in more than three years, Coloradans who are no longer eligible for Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program) or Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) are losing their coverage.

Jefferson Center Navigation can help you apply for Medicaid- and help in-person with paper applications or virtually with online applications! We can also assess eligibility for sliding scale and get that established in the interim. Medicaid typically back-dates coverage for up to 3 months to cover accruing expenses while people are waiting for benefits to be approved so clients can be reimbursed for costs once approved as well. We also have information on Marketplace insurance we can share for individuals who are over income for Medicaid, but we are unable to assist with these applications specifically.

Mental Health First Aid

Written by jeffersonc on August 8, 2023. Posted in Classes & Events, For Community, Training.

Are you interested in learning more about mental health and don’t know where to start?

Do you want to learn how to help when someone you know is in crisis?

Join the more than one million Americans who have taken the first step to stomp out stigma in their own communities with Mental Health First Aid.

Mental Health First Aid is more important now than ever before. In the past, it was believed that 1 in 5 Americans would experience a mental illness in any given year. However, with the events of 2020 and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we now know that almost everyone has faced a mental health challenge this year.

When you attend Mental Health First Aid, you’ll learn how to identify the signs and symptoms of a range of mental health and substance use disorders, and will build the skills and confidence to help someone in crisis.

This course is designed for anyone who would like to make their community a healthier, happier, and safer place for all. Mental Health First Aiders are neighbors, parents, friends, veterans, first responders, people in recovery, and community leaders. Everyone is welcome to join this community!

Virtual Adult Mental Health First Aid The curriculum includes access to a 2-hour self-paced course that must be completed to gain access to the live scheduled session. The live session will be held via Zoom and contains approximately 6 hours of interactive coursework led by Certified Instructors. Please ensure that you have access to a webcam and microphone prior to enrolling in this course.
Virtual Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed for adults who regularly interact with young people (ages 12-18). The course introduces the unique risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems in adolescents and builds an understanding of the importance of early intervention.
In-person Adult Mental Health First Aid is an interactive eight-hour course that presents an overview of mental illness and substance use disorders in the U.S. and introduces participants to risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems, builds an understanding of their impact, and overviews common treatments.
Mental Health First Aid for Veterans discusses military culture and its relevance to mental health reviews specific risk factors faced by many service members and their families (such as trauma, stress, and separation), and helps break down the stigma associated with mental health problems. It provides a concrete action plan designed specifically for service members, their families, and those who support them and helps Veterans connect to resources available in their community.

Learn more about Mental Health First Aid

Suicide Prevention

Written by jeffersonc on January 4, 2023. Posted in For Community, Suicide Prevention.

Suicide Is Preventable. If You Think Someone You Know Might Be Considering Taking Their Own Life, Remember, It’s Ok to Ask. In Fact, It’s the Most Responsible Action You Can Take.

Psychologists tell us phrases such as “Are you OK?” or “You seem really down today. Tell me what’s going on” or “Tell me how you’re feeling right now” are door-openers to the conversation. (Also see 5 Action Steps below). You must also ask directly: “Are you having thoughts about killing yourself?” (If that’s too uncomfortable for you, find someone who can ask).

It’s always better to ask directly than not to do so.

Suicide Warning Signs

Suicide is not inevitable. It’s preventable. Here are some warning signs to look for:

Noticeable change in behavior.
Signs of depression (sleeping problems, change in appetite, feelings of hopelessness, etc.)
Alcohol or drug abuse.
Obsession with death.
A decline in performance or participation in activities.
Suicidal gesturing or reckless behavior.
Giving away prized possessions.
Unusual purchases (weapon, rope, pills).
Sudden happiness after a prolonged depression.
Talking about suicide or dying.
Withdrawal from friends or family or saying goodbye to them.
Previous suicide attempts.
Statements about hopelessness, worthlessness, and helplessness.
Inability to concentrate or trouble remembering.
Chronic pain or frequent complaints of physical symptoms.

Learn more by attending suicide prevention training – sign up for a class today!

What You Should Do

Listen and express concern in a non-judgmental way.
Take action. – get them connected with professional help.
Ask questions openly (e.g., “Do you have a plan?” “Will you talk with someone who can help?”)
Show that you care.
Take suicide threats seriously.
Save the suicide hotline numbers in your phone for quick access

What Should You NOT Do

Do NOT keep it a secret.
Do NOT sidestep the issue or treat it lightly.
Do NOT leave the person alone.
Do NOT offer simple solutions.
Do NOT judge.
Do NOT offer or suggest drugs or alcohol.
Do NOT try to be a therapist – get professional help.

5 Action Steps for Helping Someone in Emotional Pain

Ask: “Are you thinking about killing yourself?” It’s not an easy question but studies show that asking at-risk people if they are suicidal does not increase suicides or suicidal thoughts.
Keep them safe: Reducing a suicidal person’s access to highly lethal items or places is an important part of suicide prevention. While this is not always easy, asking if the at-risk person has a plan and removing or disabling the lethal means can make a difference.
Be there: Listen carefully and learn what the individual is thinking and feeling. Findings suggest acknowledging and talking about suicide may in fact reduce rather than increase suicidal thoughts.
Help them connect: Save the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s number in your phone so it’s there when you need it: 1-800-8255 (TALK). You can also help make a connection with a trusted individual like a family member, friend, spiritual advisor, or mental health professional.
Stay Connected: Staying in touch after a crisis or after being discharged from care can make a difference. Studies have shown the number of suicide deaths goes down when someone follows up with the at-risk person.

Resources