DENVER — Today, Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera joined leaders from Serve Colorado, the Schultz Family Foundation, Pinterest, Behavioral Health Administration, Colorado Community College System, and other key philanthropic organizations today for multiple school site visits and a roundtable discussion highlighting the successes and future growth of Colorado’s Youth Mental Health Corps (YMHC). The event brought together AmeriCorps members, behavioral health leaders, and community partners to discuss the initiative's impact in its inaugural year and explore opportunities for sustainable funding.
Launched in Fall 2024, Colorado’s YMHC is a first-of-its-kind initiative that trains, recruits, and deploys AmeriCorps members as peer navigators in middle and high schools across the state. These members provide critical mental health support to students, helping connect them with resources and fostering stronger community partnerships in behavioral health. In its first year, the program deployed 127 AmeriCorps members in 15 counties, reaching over 4,500 youth.
During the roundtable, Lt. Governor Primavera reaffirmed the Polis-Primavera administration’s commitment to expanding mental health resources for young Coloradans.
“Our young people deserve access to the high-quality mental health support they need to thrive,” said Lt. Governor Primavera. “The Youth Mental Health Corps is a shining example of how we can leverage public-private partnerships to make a real difference in the lives of students across Colorado. AmeriCorps has long been a cornerstone of national service; its investment in programs like this ensures that communities have the resources and people power needed to tackle urgent challenges. We are grateful to the Schultz Family Foundation, Pinterest, Behavioral Health Administration, Colorado Community College System, and all of our partners for their dedication to this work.”
National service continues to make significant impacts on communities across Colorado on a range of vital topics. For every federal dollar invested in AmeriCorps, there is a return of up to $34.26, in addition to the profound and lasting impact on social stability and community resilience. National service also advances workforce development in key sectors across the state, including behavioral health.
The event also featured remarks from Marie Groark, managing director of programs with the Schultz Family Foundation, and Alise Marshall, Senior Global Lead for Public Affairs with Pinterest, who both emphasized the importance of sustainable investment in youth mental health initiatives.
“Access to mental health care is one of the biggest challenges facing young people today, and we believe that they must be at the forefront of shaping solutions that drive meaningful change,” said Marie Groark, managing director of the Schultz Family Foundation. “The work the State of Colorado has been doing through the Youth Mental Health Corps demonstrates the powerful impact young people can have on their communities. Not only are they directly responding to the mental health and wellness of their peers, but they are also gaining valuable experience that serves as a stepping stone into careers in the behavioral health field.”
“At Pinterest, we are deeply committed to building a positive and inspirational space for young people online. Supporting youth mental health requires everyone to leverage their collective expertise and take action together. Pinterest will continue to push tirelessly to drive this important work forward, and we are proud to partner with Colorado on the launch of their Youth Mental Health Corps. Pinterest remains committed to being a part of the solution to ensure youth, educators, and parents across the country get access to the wellbeing resources they need to live full and meaningful lives,” said Alise Marshall, Senior Director of Corporate Affairs & Social Impact for Pinterest.
YMHC members shared firsthand experiences about their work in schools, highlighting the program’s positive impact on student well-being and academic success. The roundtable also included insights from leaders in behavioral health, community colleges, and philanthropic organizations exploring ways to secure long-term funding.
As Colorado continues to lead the way in youth mental health innovation, today’s forum served as a vital step toward ensuring the program’s sustainability and future growth.
For more information on the Youth Mental Health Corps and how to support its mission, please visit Serve Colorado’s website.
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