Stories of Regional Health Connector Impact

Turning Our “Why” Into Action for Colorado Communities

Addressing Local Health Priorities

Regional Health Connectors live in the communities they serve, providing them first-hand knowledge of local priorities and the drive to create lasting change to improve health. These featured stories of Regional Health Connector impact demonstrate the powerful change RHCs make in their communities.  

March 2025

Who’s Who? 3 Ways that Regional Health Connectors Differ from Community Health Workers

Learn More About RHCs and CHWs
November 2024

Grief in Paradise: Regional Health Connector Megan Wise Strengthens Supports for Grieving Community Members in Southwestern Colorado

Read Megan’s Story
June 2024

Revitalizing Indigenous Food Traditions in Southwest Colorado

Read Chelsie’s Story
A Latina mother wearing a red floral shirt lifts a young child in a blue shirt
October 2023

Mental Health in the Mountains: Systems Change to Support Latino Communities

Read Mari’s Story
August 2023

From Classrooms to Communities: Building Bridges Between Sexual Health and Youth Mental Wellness in Pueblo

Read Hannah’s Story
March 2023

Connection on Colorado’s Eastern Plains: Steady Movement to Address Substance Use and Stigma

Read Erika’s Story
August 2022

Expanding Peer Support and Recovery Visibility in Mesa County

Read Jackie’s Story
April 2022

Building Bridges to Muslim Youth for Positive Impact

Read Greta’s Story
A white bison stands in a snowy field.
April 2022

Culture as Prevention in Southwest Colorado

Read Imo’s Story
Two older adults share a park bench holding hands while laughing.
June 2021

Addressing Social Isolation Among Older Adults in Jefferson County

Read Cynthia’s Story
April 2021

Taking on Transit as a Barrier to Health in San Luis Valley

Read Dee’s Story
Susan Garret, former Region 4 RHC
April 2021

Promoting Primary Prevention Strategies for Building Community Resilience

Read Susan’s Story
A digital sign reads 'COVID Shots'
July 2021

Supporting Otero County’s COVID-19 Mass Vaccination Clinic

Read Christine’s Story
April 2021

Laying the Groundwork for a Peer Recovery Network in Chaffee County

Read Mike’s Story

Measuring Regional Health Connector Impact

Prepared by Colorado Health Institute, Published August 2019, Updated May 2021

This report from the Colorado Health Institute (CHI) outlines findings from a social network analysis conducted to understand how partner organizations within RHC networks work with both the RHCs and one another. Two PARTNER surveys conducted in November of 2017 and November of 2018 gathered survey responses from nearly 500 organizational partners, providing insights into the complexity of networks across the state, the role played by RHCs in developing these networks, and what has changed since 2017.

Read the Social Network Analysis

Prepared by CU Anschutz Practice Innovation Program & Trailhead Institute, Published April 2021

Beginning in April 2020 as the impacts of COVID-19 increased across the state, the RHC evaluation team began surveying RHCs on a regular basis to understand how their work as a critical workforce in this area has been affected by and responded to the pandemic. Conducted through December 2020, the results of this survey come from the RHC workforce across the 21 Colorado Health Statistics Regions.

Read Our COVID-19 Response Report

Prepared by Trailhead Institute, Published September 2022

In 2021, the program received funding through Colorado Senate Bill 137 to improve behavioral and mental healthcare systems. Each RHC conducted a local needs assessment of their Region by analyzing national, state, and local data to identify priority gaps in behavioral and mental health services. Based on this data, the RHCs proposed projects intended to address these priority gaps and improve health equity using local knowledge, services, and assets. They are supported in these efforts by their local host organizations and community partners.

Learn More

Prepared by Trailhead Institute, Published July 2021

As the Regional Health Connector program enters its fifth year of statewide operation, this five-year milestone report reflects upon the impact that RHCs have made in communities across the state by ensuring that the right systems and clinical and community-based resources are in place to help all people living in Colorado live their healthiest lives.

Learn About Our Impact