The Piñon Project Family Resource Center has been awarded $70,000 to help improve health in Montezuma County. The grant is part of a $4.5 million award provided by The Colorado Health Foundation to the Family Resource Center Association, an organization of 24 family resource centers across Colorado, of which The Piñon Project Family Resource Center is a member.

The goal of the three-year grant, called the “Increasing Access to Care Project”, is to help under- and uninsured families in the community. Funds will be used to identify and document barriers that block families from medical coverage or delay finding “medical homes” (places that serve as a regular source of care) and provide a Family Health Advocate to assist families to obtain quality health care.  The Family Health Advocate is working with local health partners, clinics and providers to identify insurance options (Medicaid, CHP+, Medicare and others) as well as promoting regular, preventive visits to doctors and clinics thus reducing emergency needs for health services.  The Family Health Advocate is also providing case-management and referrals to wellness and education services.

The current goals of The Piñon Project are to increase enrollments into the CHP+ (Child Health Plan Plus) program and to create a Montezuma and Dolores health care resource directory.  Additionally, our Family Health Advocate, Steve Brace, is assisting families to find a “medical home” as well as helping families with a variety of health care needs.

For those families needing assistance in obtaining health care, The Piñon Project Family Health Advocate is usually available from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

For more information or to find out how you can be a part of this program call The Piñon Project Family Resource Center at (970) 564-1195, email, or come to our offices at 300 North Elm Street in Cortez.

CHP+ / Medicaid Application Download and print English or Spanish versions of the CHP+ / Medicaid application: The Piñon Project Family Health Advocate can help you to complete the application and can verify the required citizenship and identification documents needed to apply for CHP+ or Colorado Medicaid assistance. NeedyMeds.com Prescription Assistance Programs: The NeedyMeds.com link above has links to almost 200 prescription medication assistance program applications. CDC.gov A – Z Health Topics   Health and Wellness: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention link above will assist you to obtain valuable information about conditions that may affect you and your family's health and wellbeing. U.S. Department of Health   Health, Safety and Well-Being: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services link above will also assist you to obtain additional information about health and safety issues.