The Health District isn’t the only team celebrating an anniversary this year. The Mental Health and Substance Use Alliance (the Alliance) is honoring 25 years and making plans for the future.

The Alliance is a group of organizations and community members in Larimer County. The Alliance is committed to improving behavioral health through its new Strategic Plan. This Strategic Plan is a big deal because it provides a framework for action and a plan for communicating progress back to the community. The Strategic Plan is also an invitation to all to join the Alliance’s work.

“I’m really excited about the Alliance reset and Strategic Plan,” says Beth Yonce, Alliance Co-Chair and Director of Social Sustainability with the City of Fort Collins. “Everyone was swamped for a year or two after the pandemic. We are focusing more now on health equity — folks that don’t have easy access to services and how we can address that.”

The Alliance created its Strategic Plan with the goal of improving behavioral health care in Larimer County. The Alliance will create strategies to address community priorities and areas of focus. The areas of focus for the Alliance are coordination of care, data infrastructure, clinical systems and infrastructure, and promoting behavioral health through nonclinical methods. The Strategic Plan will help develop, track, and communicate strategies and share progress.

The Alliance has also adjusted its structure and how people can engage. Now, more community organizations and community members can be part of the Alliance. Some Alliance members work in behavioral health, but Yonce believes everyone in the community has a stake in the mission of the Alliance.

“Many of us in our personal lives or professional lives have a connection with someone who is dealing with mental health or substance use struggles or has in the past,” Yonce says. “Being able to help shape priorities and contribute to identifying gaps in care and making a difference is huge.”

Anyone is welcome to join the Mental Health and Substance Use Alliance. If you’re interested in joining the Alliance or want to learn more, please email CIT@big5vn.com.

The Mental Health and Substance Use Alliance's 2024 Strategic Plan is available in both English and Spanish — email CIT@big5vn.com.