Healthier Communities Coalition of Larimer County

What We Do
Services to children, youth and families are too often fragmented, and providers do not communicate with one another.

HCC's mission is to help improve the health and well being of Larimer County’s children and youth by being a trusted support organization to which the community turns when a child or youth issue arises that requires a coordinated response to bring about change.

HCC promotes collaboration without the duplication of effort or resource expenditure by serving as a relationship broker, networker, communicator, convener, facilitator, researcher, capacity builder and advocate for our county’s child, youth and family service providers. HCC connects the community for kids by helping others build lasting partnerships.

HCC's clients are the people who directly work with children, youth and families through service delivery, policy development and personal relationships.

HCC's specific work includes:

Information and Data Clearinghouse About the Health and Well-Being of Larimer County's Children and Youth
The Healthier Communities Coalition of Larimer County released The State of Children and Youth in Larimer County in June 2009. The report compiles data, statistics and information about the health and well-being of Larimer County's residents, birth to 18 years of age. The report currently is available online. HCC is adding a new section to its web site where the report's data will be housed and regularly updated.

HCC is partnering with Colorado State University, the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment and the Larimer County Department of Health & Environment in leading a local medical home team to:

HCC coordinates the Bicycle and Pedestrian Education coalition, comprised of bicycle advocacy groups, non-profit agencies, state and local governments, school districts, youth, parents and teachers. Through education and encouragement, the BPEC works to reduce the number of motor vehicle/bicycle/pedestrian crashes in our community, and increase knowledge and awareness about how to safely share roads. It works to increase the number of bicycle riders and pedestrians in the community, nurturing health and wellness.

Caring & Sharing
Caring & Sharing was established in 1991 as a way for family and youth service providers to network and share information about their programs, brainstorm solutions for challenging situations and discuss emerging issues. HCC convenes and facilitates the meetings which include an informational presentation or panel or round-table discussion and a time for discussion. One of the goals of C&S is to increase collaboration among participants and reduce the duplication of services. Another goal is to provide participants with more tools and resources to serve their clients. The meetings are held on the second Friday of each month, 8:30-10am, at the Poudre School District Partnership Center, 1630 S. Stover Street, in Fort Collins. Click here to access minutes from Caring & Sharing meetings.

Twice a month, HCC publishes the NEWS from HCC, an electronic compilation of information relevant to child, youth and family service providers, and their clients. The NEWS features local events, classes and workshops, job openings, funding opportunities and interesting health-related information. Each issue is sent to more than 700 readers, but we know it is forwarded on to many more. To subscribe to the NEWS or inquire about advertising in the newsletter, email HCC or call 970-495-7503. Click here for archived issues.

Estes Valley Community Services Coalition

HCC is an active member of the EVCSC, a broad-based group of human service providers who collaborate to identify and meet human service needs in the Estes Valley. Members meet monthly to generate strategies for filling human service gaps, avoid duplication of services, and provide opportunities for collaboration between and among the agencies.

Character in Youth Sports
An innovative initiative that promotes, recognizes and rewards character excellence among sports participants, teams and organizations that consistently encourage and display sportsmanship, teamwork and community is underway in Fort Collins. Character in Athletics - Make it a Priority or "CHAMP" was developed by a task force commissioned by Colorado State University, the City of Fort Collins and Poudre School District after an opinion poll revealed that local parents and coaches think more can be done to ensure sports programs continue to provide positive role models. HCC conducted the poll in 2005 with assistance from the Colorado State University Research and Development Center. (Read the report online or download it here.) HCC and Character Fort Collins partnered in bringing the task force together and facilitating their work. HCC remains active on the CHAMP Board of Directors.

Engaging Youth in Leadership
HCC's Youth Engagement Team trains youth to serve as members of nonprofit boards of directors and trains adult board members to work with youth as equal partners in decisionmaking processes. If your organization's board is interested in how to effectively add the compelling voice of youth in its work, email HCC or call 970-495-7503.