Building a Family-Wellbeing System for Colorado Families: Updates from the Colorado Partnership for Thriving Families

Building a Family-Wellbeing System for Colorado Families: Updates from the Colorado Partnership for Thriving Families

by | May 16, 2023 | CPTF

Did you know that there’s an initiative right here in Colorado that is working to create the conditions that kids– and the adults in their lives– need to thrive? The Colorado Partnership for Thriving Families (the Partnership) has been working tirelessly to identify what Colorado communities need in order to be safe and supportive spaces for families. Illuminate Colorado provides backbone support for the Partnership, managing several projects and work groups that strive toward the coalitions’s mission. 

In April, the Partnership met to discuss exciting updates on work in specific priority areas, updates on cross-cutting projects, and to share presentations on how systems can be better aligned to effectively serve families. 

A few highlights from Illuminate Colorado staff and partners involved with the Partnership!

The Partnership has three priority areas, which Illuminate staff and partners shared updates on at the April meeting. 

Community Norms

Change community norms related to social connectedness and promote support offering and seeking behaviors in communities, with the intent to reduce parental stress and decrease child maltreatment.

Early Touchpoints

Strengthen the family well-being system service array to improve outcomes for parents and infants throughout pregnancy and up to age 1.

Systems Alignment

Align state and county human services, public health, and health care systems to place family well-being at the center.

Jillian Fabricius, Deputy Director of Illuminate Colorado, shared updates on Community Norms work, specifically the launch of Colorado Connected.

The campaign will partner with Colorado counties to distribute a validated community survey to understand attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors surrounding support offering and seeking behaviors. The goal of COConnected is to build connections that surround families with supportive networks, so parents do not feel alone when faced with challenges. Doing so creates a safe, stable environment for children to grow up in and produce positive childhood experiences and outcomes.

Learn more about Coconnected!

Angelica Fox, Director of Home Visitation at Illuminate Colorado, shared Early Touchpoints updates on Family Connects Colorado, a program that provides nurse home-visits and connection to community resources for new parents. 

At Boulder Community Health Hospital, the Boulder Family Connects team has reached 100% recruitment for families who are visiting to deliver a newborn. Additionally, the Boulder team is planning to expand into a second hospital in June! 

Next, Angelica shared that the Boulder team will be hosting their first Family & Caregiver Space in April, which provides an essential place for families to make their voices heard about the development and expansion of Family Connects.

“This is wonderful way for the Family & Caregiver Space to provide input for the program”

Angelica Fox

Director of Home Visitation

In Denver and Jefferson counties, a Community Alignment Specialist has been brought onto the Family Connects team, who will provide needed insight into the most effective resources to connect families with, as well as other program needs. Both counties are on track to launch Family Connects Colorado in early summer 2023!

In Eagle County, Family Connects is seeing high levels of recruitment, and the team is preparing to advance from the installation (or learning) stage into the implementation phase.

“We are learning a lot from Eagle as a rural area of how to implement [Family Connects] in similar communities.”

– Angelica Fox

Learn more about Family Connects!

Kendra Dunn, Director, Division of Community and Family Support at the Colorado Department of Early Childhood, shared Systems Alignment updates from the Government Systems Transformation Work Group.

The goal of the work group is to provide a space for government professionals to come together and get into the weeds about the ability that they have to make transformational change across systems. The Partnership is planning to host monthly meetings for the Government Systems Transformation Work Group to come together to collaborate around their collective power as government professionals. 

Want to attend?

Email Karci Lockwood at klockwood@illuminatecolorado.org!

Courtney Everson, Senior Researcher/Project Director at the Colorado Evaluation and Action Lab shared updates from the Financial Well-Being Work Group.

This work group has met since late 2022, and provides a space for various Colorado agencies, community-based organizations, and family leaders to identify opportunities for promoting financial-well-being among Colorado families. The Colorado Evaluation and Action Lab developed a Financial Well-being Data Brief, with input from the Partnership as an initial way to inform policy and practice. Feel free to use and share this brief widely!

Interested in joining collective impact efforts to promote financial well-being?

Email Karci Lockwood at klockwood@illuminatecolorado.org!

Heather Hicks and Kaylie Weese, Family and Caregiver Space Leaders for the Partnership, shared updates on new family leadership spaces to be launched in May-June.

The Partnership Family Engagement Consultation Office Hours, led by family leaders, will be a collaborative space for family leaders and professionals standing up and sustaining local family engagement efforts. The Family Voice Affinity Space will be a space by family voice leaders, for family voice leaders. If you or someone you work with is interested in either space, please share your interest here. To get to know Family & Caregiver Space leaders, and share your questions and ideas on family engagement, please register here for our first information session on May 31st, from 4-5pm MT.

Stay updated on the Partnership’s work!

Sign up for email updates

Want to learn more or get involved in the Partnership?

Email Karci Lockwood at klockwood@illuminatecolorado.org!

Related Posts

Reflecting on the 2023 Colorado Legislative Session

Reflecting on the 2023 Colorado Legislative Session

This legislative session, Illuminate Colorado advocated for 25 bills that would promote protective factors to prevent child maltreatment and strengthen families. These bills ranged across many areas of focus…

Looking Forward from Child Abuse Prevention Month: Strengthening Colorado Families is a Year-Round Effort

Looking Forward from Child Abuse Prevention Month: Strengthening Colorado Families is a Year-Round Effort

by | May 5, 2023 | CAPM

Colorado saw lots of wins for children and families during Child Abuse Prevention Month.

We advocated for family strengthening policies at the capitol, raised awareness for prevention efforts happening across the state, and raised funds for programs and services that help families thrive.

We kicked off Child Abuse Prevention Month at the Capitol.

We joined legislators in the Senate and House of Representatives as the Child Abuse Prevention Month tributes were read in both chambers, followed by an afternoon rally for supporters of prevention efforts across the state. If you weren’t able to join us, don’t worry– we took photos! 

We recognized leaders in prevention.

On April 13th, the Illuminating Leadership Awards were held at the celebratory Pinwheel Breakfast. Illuminate Colorado has annually honored the contributions of exceptional individuals, groups of individuals, and organizations who have furthered our collective mission to strengthen families, organizations and communities to prevent child maltreatment. This year we celebrated some amazing recipients!

We advocated for family strengthening policies.

One of the biggest wins came when Governor Jared Polis signed HB23-1191 into law, which prohibits the corporal punishment of children in public schools, state-licensed child care centers, family child care homes, and specialized group facilities. HB23-1191 will create positive childhood experiences to enable families and communities to thrive!

But the work isn’t done! 

Child maltreatment prevention is a year-round effort, and here at Illuminate Colorado we remain committed to strengthening families, organizations, and communities every day. Join us by getting involved!

Register for a child sexual abuse prevention training.

Illuminate Colorado offers child sexual abuse prevention trainings for professionals, caregivers, and community members alike. Find your training today.

Learn how to create Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences (HOPE) for the kids in your life.

Research shows that positive experiences help kids grow up into healthy, thriving adults. Whether you’re a caregiver, professional, or community member, you can help create positive experiences for the kids in your life. Find your training.

Sharpen your self-awareness and self-regulation skills with a Bloom Yoga Class.

Bloom Yoga, a program managed by Sarah Crisafi at Illuminate Colorado, offers supportive, trauma-informed yoga for anyone who plays a part in family strengthening. That means kids, caregivers, and professionals alike! Interested in hosting a class? Contact Sarah Crisafi at scrisafi@illuminatecolorado.org.

Help to create spaces where families can thrive by getting involved in the work of the Colorado Partnership for Thriving Families.

The Colorado Partnership for Thriving Families (CPTF) has been working tirelessly to identify what Colorado communities need in order to be safe and supportive spaces for families. Learn more about the Partnership by visiting copartnershipforthrivingfamilies.org or how you can get involved by emailing Karci Lockwood at klockwood@illuminatecolorado.org!

Learn how to have conversations about safety and substance use with the families you serve.

It is essential for any professional who works directly with families to be equipped with the tools needed to have effective conversations about substances and how to empower parents to make small changes to increase safety– that’s why Illuminate Colorado developed a conversation guide for professionals to use in talking to families about substance use and preventing child maltreatment. If you’re a professional who works with children and families, sign up to take the training today!

Stay up to date on legislation.

Advocacy work doesn’t end when the legislative session does! Be sure to stay up to date on policies affecting children and families by signing up for Illuminate’s Blog Newsletter.

Sign Up!

Keep an eye out for volunteer opportunities by following Illuminate Colorado on social media.

Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn

Related Posts

Reflecting on the 2023 Colorado Legislative Session

Reflecting on the 2023 Colorado Legislative Session

This legislative session, Illuminate Colorado advocated for 25 bills that would promote protective factors to prevent child maltreatment and strengthen families. These bills ranged across many areas of focus…

Celebrating Leaders in Child Maltreatment Prevention at the 2023 Illuminate Colorado Pinwheel Breakfast

Celebrating Leaders in Child Maltreatment Prevention at the 2023 Illuminate Colorado Pinwheel Breakfast

by | Apr 17, 2023 | CAPM, Fundraising

Since 2018, Illuminate Colorado has annually honored the contributions of exceptional individuals, groups of individuals, and organizations who have furthered our collective mission to strengthen families, organizations and communities to prevent child maltreatment. 

On April 13th, the Illuminating Leadership Awards were held for the 6th year in a row at the celebratory Pinwheel Breakfast. This year, Illuminate staff had the opportunity to nominate those they’ve worked with who deserve recognition. This year, six recipients received awards for their work spanning the spectrum of prevention. Check them out below!

Beverley Toliver, Founder & CEO of the Safe Haven Family Network, LLC provides opening remarks.

The Community Leadership Award was presented to the Colorado Partnership for Thriving Families (CPTF) Family & Caregiver Space.

The Community Leadership Award recognizes an individual or group who have dedicated an extraordinary amount of their time and openly share their experiences to further systemic change and strengthen families in Colorado. The Family & Caregiver Space is a lived experience expert-led group within the CPTF, led by Fikile Ryder, Heather Hanson, Kaylie Weese, Kelly Valdez, and Mathilde Dunbar. 

Hattie Landry, Senior Community Initiatives Manager at Illuminate Colorado, nominated the Family & Caregiver Space for their collaborative work with the CPTF, providing insight into various types of lived experiences from across Colorado, helping to create the conditions for strong families and communities where children are healthy, valued, and thriving.

Members of the CPTF Family & Caregiver Space. Left to right: Fikile Ryder, Heather Hanson, Kelly Valdez, Kaylie Weese. Not pictured – Mathilde Dunbar.

The Dynamic Leadership Award was presented to Mile High Behavioral Healthcare. 

The Dynamic Leadership Award recognizes an individual, group, or organization who has dedicated time, expertise, and experiences to collaboratively implement programs and partner on initiatives with Illuminate and their communities to strengthen families in Colorado. Jessica Courtney and Rewa Bailey represented Mile High Behavioral Healthcare at the award ceremony.

Joan Holtz, Director of Family Support at Illuminate Colorado, nominated Mile High Behavioral Healthcare for their partnership with Illuminate on many different projects, including Illuminating Child Care, Circle of Parents, and Bloom Yoga.

Illuminate Colorado Executive Director Jade Woodard, Jessica Courtney and Rewa Bailey of Mile High Behavioral Healthcare, and Illuminate Colorado Director of Family Support Joan Holtz.

The Courageous Leadership Award was presented to Margaret Ochoa, a Child Abuse Prevention Specialist at the Colorado School Safety Resource Center. 

The Courageous Leadership Award recognizes an individual or group in elected office or public employment for distinguished service prioritizing the prevention of child maltreatment and strengthening families. 

Anne Auld, Deputy Director at Illuminate Colorado, nominated Margaret Ochoa, a Child Abuse Prevention Specialist at the Colorado School Safety Resource Center for her many partnerships with Illuminate, and through her own work, to support and strengthen families and communities through systems-level work with incredible integrity and dedication. Through her time as Co-Chair of the Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Coalition, and an active member of the Strengthening Colorado Families and Communities Conference Planning Committee, Ochoa has gone above and beyond in supporting professionals, communities and families in Colorado.

Illuminate Colorado Executive Director Jade Woodard, Margarget Ochoa, and Illuminate Colorado Deputy Director Anne Auld.

The Catalytic Leadership Award was presented to the Caring for Colorado Foundation.

The Catalytic Leadership Award honors an individual, group, or organization who has invested or inspired philanthropic investment to accelerate the prevention of child maltreatment and strengthen families in Colorado.

Jillian Fabricius, Deputy Director at Illuminate Colorado, nominated the Caring for Colorado Foundation for placing family well-being, with an emphasis on equity, at the center of their philanthropic efforts. Caring for Colorado brings a long-term perspective to their philanthropic work, through which they seek to address root causes, promote prevention, improve systems, and advance policy change.

Illuminate Colorado Executive Director Jade Woodard, Linda Reiner and Emma Carpenter of Caring for Colorado, and Illuminate Colorado Deputy Director Jillian Fabricius.

The Innovative Leadership Award was presented to Daphne McCabe, a Family Health Division Manager at Boulder County Public Health.

The Innovative Leadership Award recognizes an individual, group, or organization who has made significant contributions to the field of child maltreatment prevention. 

Angelica Fox, Director of Home Visitation at Illuminate Colorado, nominated Daphne McCabe for the demonstration of Illuminate’s values through her work implementing Family Connects in Boulder County. Through her leadership, Boulder has a diverse and inclusive Family Connects implementation team, which launched in Boulder County in October 2022 after just seven months of dedication and perseverance.

Illuminate Colorado Executive Director Jade Woodard, Daphne McCabe of Boulder County Public Health, and Illuminate Colorado Director of Home Visitation Angelica Fox.

The Lori Moriarty Leadership Award was presented to Dr. Deb Daro, a Senior Research Fellow at Chapin Hall and one of the nation’s leading experts in child abuse prevention policy and early home visiting research. 

The Lori Moriarty Leadership Award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated lifetime achievements in their career that exemplify the dedication and character displayed by the late Commander Lori Moriarty.

Jade Woodard, Executive Director at Illuminate Colorado, nominated Dr. Daro for her work on Colorado’s Home Visiting Investment Task Force, specifically advocating strongly for the adoption of mechanisms that provide all new parents opportunities to discuss their concerns and learn about the resources available in their communities. This research-informed recommendation was very supportive of the launch of Family Connects in Colorado.

Illuminate Colorado Executive Director Jade Woodard and Dr. Deb Daro.

We are honored to do this work with such passionate leaders! 

We can’t do this work alone. It takes all of us to strengthen families and prevent child maltreatment. 

Donate to Illuminate Colorado today and make an investment in programs that build healthier, happier, and more resilient families and communities.

Donate Today!

Related Posts

Reflecting on the 2023 Colorado Legislative Session

Reflecting on the 2023 Colorado Legislative Session

This legislative session, Illuminate Colorado advocated for 25 bills that would promote protective factors to prevent child maltreatment and strengthen families. These bills ranged across many areas of focus…

New Illuminate Colorado Staff Expand Strategic Initiatives and Strengthen Fundraising Capacity

New Illuminate Colorado Staff Expand Strategic Initiatives and Strengthen Fundraising Capacity

by | Apr 7, 2023 | General

The Illuminate Colorado team has recently grown by two members! Cristina Bejarano joined us as our Director of Strategic Initiatives and Mike Robbins as our Grants & Development Manager. Get to know them and how they are adding to Illuminate’s capacity to support families and prevent child maltreatment across Colorado!

Meet Cristina Bejarano, MPH

Director of Strategic Initiatives

Cristina Bejarano (she/her/ella) joined the Illuminate team in February as the Director of Strategic Initiatives! In her role, Cristina oversees the strategic planning, facilitation, and ongoing coordination of multiple coalitions and community-based efforts working to positively impact children and families across Colorado. The addition of Cristina to the team will increase Illuminate’s ability to build, strengthen, and support networks, coalitions, and other strategic initiatives that serve and support Colorado families. 

As a public health professional working to increase health equity, Cristina has worked with local communities, philanthropy, federal and state governments, and international organizations to build collaborative relationships for collective impact.

Cristina’s lifelong passion is working with systemic structures to increase the communities’ capacity for wellbeing, and she is thrilled to be working in a role that allows her to contribute to brighter futures for kids and families. 

Outside of work, you can find Cristina running around with her two kids and partner and supporting community efforts. Her favorite part about living in Colorado is the four seasons that allow for fun outside activities all year long!

Meet Mike Robbins

Grants & Development Manager

Mike Robbins (he/him/his) joined the Illuminate team in March as the Grants & Development Manager! In his role, Mike is responsible for shepherding Illuminate’s fundraising efforts through individual giving, grants, events, and sponsorships. The addition of Mike to the team will increase Illuminate’s ability to build donor relationships, increase grant involvement, and strengthen fundraising efforts upon which the organization can grow and thrive. 

Before joining Illuminate, Mike studied at The Institute for Leaders in Development at Denver University, and worked in nonprofit communications, resource development, grant writing, donor stewardship, event planning, and volunteer management.

Mike is passionate about the health and wellbeing of children, youth and families, and loves that he is able to use his experience in mission-driven storytelling and development to grow Illuminate’s community of donors and grant funders.

In his free time, Mike enjoys hiking, yardwork, cheering on the Nuggets and Kansas State Wildcats, plus checking out great restaurants with friends. His favorite part about living in Colorado is the generosity, grit, and tenacity of Coloradans!

Interested in joining the Illuminate Colorado team? Check out our open positions! 

View Open Positions

Related Posts

Reflecting on the 2023 Colorado Legislative Session

Reflecting on the 2023 Colorado Legislative Session

This legislative session, Illuminate Colorado advocated for 25 bills that would promote protective factors to prevent child maltreatment and strengthen families. These bills ranged across many areas of focus…

A Day in Photos: Illuminate Colorado Celebrates Child Abuse Prevention Month at the Capitol

A Day in Photos: Illuminate Colorado Celebrates Child Abuse Prevention Month at the Capitol

by | Apr 5, 2023 | CAPM

On April 3rd, Illuminate Colorado spent the day at the Colorado State Capitol celebrating the beginning of Child Abuse Prevention Month. In the morning, we joined legislators in the Senate and House of Representatives as the Child Abuse Prevention Month tributes were read in both chambers, followed by an afternoon rally for supporters of prevention efforts across the state. If you weren’t able to join us, don’t worry– we took photos!

In the morning, State Senators and Representatives read the Child Abuse Prevention Month tributes in both chambers.

State Senators Rhonda Fields and Barbara Kirkmeyer reading the Child Abuse Prevention Month tribute on the Senate floor.

State Representative Judy Amabile reading the Child Abuse Prevention Month Tribute on the House floor.

State Senators Rhonda Fields and Barbara Kirkmeyer with members of Illuminate Colorado, Raise the Future, Kempe Foundation and Kempe Center, Colorado Department of Human Services, Colorado Department of Early Childhood, and the Child Protection Ombudsman of Colorado.

Illuminate Colorado Executive Director Jade Woodard with the Child Abuse Prevention Month tribute. 

A big thank you to our legislative sponsors Senators Rhonda Fields, Cleave Simpson, and Barbara Kirkmeyer, and Representatives Judy Amabile, Tammy Story, Regina English, Dafna Michaelson Jenet, Mary Young, and Mary Bradfield.

In the afternoon, we joined the Colorado Department of Human Services for a Child Abuse Prevention Month rally on the West Steps!

Supporters from across the state joined us with pinwheels to show their commitment to strong families and communities. 

People from across the spectrum of prevention shared how the work of strengthening families has touched their work or their lives.

First, we heard opening remarks from Mekialaya White, an anchor at CBS4.

Illuminate Colorado Executive Director Jade Woodard spoke about how we can all band together to in collective ways to help children and families thrive. 

“We all benefit when friends, families, and neighbors work together to collectively care for children.” – Jade Woodard

Lupita Cardoza, a parent with lived experience, shared how Sister Carmen and the Circle of Parents program provided community support when she needed it most.

“I learned a lot about advocating for myself and for others, how to raise kids and deal with teenagers, how important it is to know where to go for resources and information.” – Lupita Cardoza

 

 

Mary Alice Cohen, the Deputy Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Early Childhood, highlighted organizations and partners that support Colorado families.

Timiya Jackson, Executive Director of the Heart & Hand Center Denver, shares how resource centers provide families with the resources and support they need to thrive.

Minna Castillo Cohen, Director of the Colorado Department of Human Services Office of Children, Youth, and Families, shared how the Office is evolving the child welfare system to more effectively connect families to the resources they need, as well as offer support for families who are struggling.

In closing, Stacy Tracey, a Prevention Social Caseworker at Denver County’s Department of Human Services, expressed how important it is to really listen to families and to meet parents where they are.

“Serving in this position is the best job I’ve had and the opportunity to meet families where they are and help them get to where they want to be has been incredibly rewarding.” – Stacy Tracey

Watch the full rally!

Click here for the livestream recording.

The Illuminate Colorado team on the West Steps!

Didn’t get to join us at the rally?

You can get involved with Child Abuse Prevention Month all throughout April. Visit COPinwheelsForPrevention.org to learn mroe, sign up for trainings, and download the partner toolkit!

Get Involved

Related Posts

Reflecting on the 2023 Colorado Legislative Session

Reflecting on the 2023 Colorado Legislative Session

This legislative session, Illuminate Colorado advocated for 25 bills that would promote protective factors to prevent child maltreatment and strengthen families. These bills ranged across many areas of focus…

Translate »

Pin It on Pinterest