School-based Health Centers Grow with Donor Support
February 23, 2024
Denver Health Pediatrics at Denver Public Schools benefits from community outpouring
Serving as the gateway to accessible health care and educational enrichment for Denver’s children, adolescents, and young people, Denver Health Pediatrics at Denver Public Schools (DPS) and the supportive school-based health centers (SBHC) play a pivotal role in fostering an integrated approach to the development of individual and collective wellness.
“Generous philanthropic support from committed organizations and individuals has significantly impacted school-based health centers for 2024, contributing to a healthier and more academically-enriched future for the next generation,” said Denver Health CEO Donna Lynne. “Denver Health is proud to play such a vital role in shaping the health and well-being of Denver’s young people.”
Denver Health Pediatrics at DPS has been an integral part of the Denver Health system since 1987, contributing to a city where everyone can lead a healthy life. With a network of 19 SBHCs conveniently located on DPS school campuses, the program annually serves around 15,000 students.
Through Denver Health Pediatrics at DPS, any student with a DPS identification card can access free comprehensive health care services, including medical care, behavioral health services, sexual and reproductive health services, dental services, and insurance enrollment services. These services are also available at no cost to siblings of DPS students and children in DPS-affiliated Early Childhood Education programs.
Visionary programs transforming public schools
Last year, donors committed nearly $4 million to support Denver’s young people. In 2024, Denver Health’s SBHCs will benefit from the generous contributions from our dedicated supporters. These substantial gifts serve as catalysts for positive change, allowing Denver Health to embark on a journey of innovation and progress.
Donor impact resonates across a spectrum of initiatives, projects, and programs designed to address our community’s diverse needs:
- The Anschutz Foundation has generously provided a two-year grant to strengthen school-based health initiatives. This funding encompasses youth mental health services at Denver Public Schools.
- Caring for Denver Foundation has funded the TRUST (Therapeutic Response and Urgent Stabilization Team) initiative, enhancing crisis response in collaboration with DPS. This resource swiftly addresses emergencies affecting students, offering timely therapy or medication management within 24 hours for urgent safety concerns. Beyond crisis intervention, the TRUST team ensures access to comprehensive school-based health services, including care coordination, medical, health education, and dental services for referred students.
- Caring for Denver Foundation also has backed the introduction of youth advisory services. Young people utilize a healing centered engagement framework for addressing youth mental health through the SBHCs and youth-led school/community projects fostering resilience.
- The Denver Post Community Foundation, via its Season to Share program, has strengthened the STEP (Substance Abuse Treatment Education & Prevention) program within SBHCs. The goal is to cultivate a resilient and knowledgeable community prepared to address the complexities of substance use disorder among young people.
- Individuals like Susan and Lee McIntire and The Patricia Crown Family have given generously to support SBHCs, specifically to support mental and behavioral health efforts within DPS.
- The Temple Hoyne Buell Foundation supports the Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (ECMHC) program, which annually delivers over 120 child and family-focused consultations to various local organizations. In addition, 12 Head Start classrooms will receive targeted consultation services, while 20 Head Start professionals undergo Relationship-based Reflective Processing (RRP) with an ECMHC. The program also intends to offer early childhood mental health training to 200 Head Start and Early Head Start staff upon request.
- Both the Caring for Colorado Foundation and The Guber Family Giving Fund have generously awarded grants to support gender affirming care and practitioner training at SBHCs. This funding will contribute to creating a more inclusive health care environment, ensuring that students of all gender identities accessing SBHCs receive specialized and affirming care for their needs.
- Thanks to Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation, teledentistry is expanding oral health accessibility, reaching students at Denver Health SBHCs.
These targeted initiatives, made possible by the invaluable support of Denver Health Foundation donors, reflect Denver Health’s commitment to accessible health care for everyone. SBHCs are not just spaces for treatment—they are dynamic hubs for positive change, where innovation meets compassion to create a healthier and more resilient community.
Philanthropic giving fuels momentum
The steadfast support from donors strengthens Denver Health’s mission to enhance pediatric health care, education, and overall community well-being. By aligning their gifts with this mission, donors have fortified the core values of Denver Health and made a deep impact within DPS and the larger community for 2024 and the future.
“The support of SBHCs is a testament to the collaborative spirit between Denver Health Foundation donors, Denver Health, and community institutions like DPS,” said Denver Health Foundation Executive Director Crystal Potter Rivera. “These partnerships have proven to be instrumental in driving positive change in Denver for decades, highlighting a model where diverse stakeholders unite for a common cause—the health and prosperity of Denver’s children.”
Empower Denver Health’s School-based Health Centers (SBHCs). Your donation to Denver Health Foundation makes a difference today and tomorrow. Invest in Denver’s health. Visit our donation page to make a gift.