Colorado Models and Innovations

These stories feature model programs and successful rural projects that can serve as a source of ideas. Some of the projects or programs may no longer be active. Read about the criteria and evidence-base for programs included.

Other Project Examples

San Luis Valley Public Health Partnership

Updated/reviewed December 2022

• Need: Public health departments in Colorado's rural San Luis Valley region desired to share public health services to improve health outcomes in the region.
• Intervention: Six counties joined in a public health cross-jurisdictional sharing arrangement. The partnership has served as a forum for sharing and evaluating opportunities to improve health access and core public health services.
• Results: The partnership has enabled health departments to share expertise and develop regional projects to provide a broader range of public health services.

Southwest Health System Antibiotic Stewardship Program

Updated/reviewed March 2021

• Need: Impact patient care and safety issues related to antibiotic use in southwest Colorado.
• Intervention: Pharmacy-led antibiotic stewardship program for inpatient, outpatient, and long-term care settings.
• Results: With antibiotic use guidelines, refined infection diagnostics, and first-choice antibiotic selections, all care settings now see decreased days of treatment and decreased resistance patterns.

SLV N.E.E.D.: Naloxone Education Empowerment Distribution Program

Updated/reviewed August 2020

• Need: Growing concern in rural Colorado communities regarding prescription and illegal opioid overdoses.
• Intervention: Education efforts for health workers and the larger community, in addition to establishing a naloxone overdose reversal drug program.
• Results: In addition to continuing to train nearly all first responders to administer naloxone, the organization provides harm reduction education in various community settings.

Families Plus Comprehensive Health and Mentoring for Underserved Youth

Added March 2019

• Need: Pediatric behavioral health services in Delta County, Colorado.
• Intervention: Multi-organizational and community-wide effort to increase healthcare access for underserved children and to integrate behavioral health care into the area's primary care clinics.
• Results: Sustainable increases in access to pediatric behavioral health services.

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