Behavioral Health Equity Corps
Overview
The Behavioral Health Equity Corps (BHEC) (formerly AmeriCorps VISTA Community Opioid Response Program) is a statewide initiative utilizing members to support local communities by implementing strategies to reduce the impact of substance misuse and overdose, increasing the accessibility to behavioral healthcare, and outreaching to some of Colorado’s most vulnerable populations. 20 VISTA Members and 4 Leaders will serve inside CNCS’s priority areas of Access to Care and Healthy Futures to build capacity, expand reach, and leverage resources to benefit local community organizations.
Meet the Members

Deanna UliBarri-Crespin
I believe that acts of service can lead to social change because of experience, past or present. If something is not experienced, than a person will never know.
San Luis Valley Area Health Education Center
AmeriCorps State Alum
Service Years: 2017 - 2019
San Luis Valley Area Health Education Center
AmeriCorps State Alum
Service Years: 2017 - 2019


Miranda Thompson
"The proof that one truly believes is in action." - Bayard Rustin
Lakewood
AmeriCorps VISTA
2019 - Present
Lakewood
AmeriCorps VISTA
2019 - Present


Della Turque-Henneberger
"We don't need to engage in grand, heroic actions to participate in the process of change. Small acts, when multiplied by thousands of people, can change the world”- Howard Zinn
San Juan Basin Public Health
AmeriCorps VISTA Member
Service Years: 2018 - 2019
San Juan Basin Public Health
AmeriCorps VISTA Member
Service Years: 2018 - 2019


Taylor Vaughan
I strive for inclusivity. I want to live in a community that efficiently uses it's resources to bolster and inspire it's people.
Colorado Springs
AmeriCorps VISTA Leader
Service Year(s): 2020 - Present
Colorado Springs
AmeriCorps VISTA Leader
Service Year(s): 2020 - Present


Seth Johnson
Service allows me to turn "How can I help?" into "I KNOW that I'm making a difference." It's been great to meet others who also want to be part of the solution, and it will be a positive influence on the rest of my life. I'm thankful to AmeriCorps for the opportunity!
Jefferson County Public Health
AmeriCorps State Alum
Service Years: 2018 - 2019
Jefferson County Public Health
AmeriCorps State Alum
Service Years: 2018 - 2019


Cassidy Foster
I hope to enjoy every second of my service and expand my education and help educate the community around me.
Western Colorado Area Health Education Center
AmeriCorps State Alum
Service Years: 2018 - 2019
Western Colorado Area Health Education Center
AmeriCorps State Alum
Service Years: 2018 - 2019


Rebecka Armstrong
When we make up our minds and our hearts to be of service to others, the possibilities of growth are endless.
Centennial Area Health Education Center
AmeriCorps State Alum
AmeriCorps VISTA Leader
Service Years: 2018- Present
Centennial Area Health Education Center
AmeriCorps State Alum
AmeriCorps VISTA Leader
Service Years: 2018- Present


Tracy Cruz
AmeriCorps has allowed me the flexibility to grow while being of service to my community. I also have learned if a goal is not reached then I change the plan not the goal and this I think is perseverance which can only be learned and practiced not given to anyone. Thank you for allowing me this opportunity of a lifetime!
Southeastern Colorado Area Health Education Center
AmeriCorps State Alum
Service Years: 2018 - 2019
Southeastern Colorado Area Health Education Center
AmeriCorps State Alum
Service Years: 2018 - 2019


Jane Davis
I pride myself by living by the universal quote "Service Above Self"
Northwest Colorado Community Health Partnership
AmeriCorps State Alum
Service Years: 2018 - 2019
Northwest Colorado Community Health Partnership
AmeriCorps State Alum
Service Years: 2018 - 2019


Adrian Pascual
Community Health Partnership
AmeriCorps VISTA Alum
Service Years: 2017-2018
Community Health Partnership
AmeriCorps VISTA Alum
Service Years: 2017-2018


Madison Chambers
Serving the Routt County community is a privilege, and I hope to help build a network that can continue to benefit the area in coming years.
Sk8 Church
AmeriCorps VISTA Alum
Service Years: 2018 - 2019
Sk8 Church
AmeriCorps VISTA Alum
Service Years: 2018 - 2019


Katie Moran
Serving through AmeriCorps has given me a chance to expand my professional development, explore a new part of the county, and give back to a cause very dear to my heart.
AmeriCorps VISTA Alum
Service Years: 2018 - 2019
AmeriCorps VISTA Alum
Service Years: 2018 - 2019


Sylvie Novins-Montague
By serving with AmeriCorps, I have the resources and support needed for my community. Communities merit our work as advocates because they help shape lives and create opportunities for us to grow. The general public best combats current and growing crises, and I am proud to offer my service in support.
Celebrating Healthy Communities
AmeriCorps State Alum
Service Year(s): 2019
Celebrating Healthy Communities
AmeriCorps State Alum
Service Year(s): 2019


Jordan Gruppuso
There are things that you do because they feel right. They may not make sense to others and they may be challenging, but the sense of fulfillment that comes along with helping others is incomparable.
Delta County Memorial Hospital
AmeriCorps State Alum
Service Years: 2019
Delta County Memorial Hospital
AmeriCorps State Alum
Service Years: 2019


Dane Hall
Boulder County Public Health
AmeriCorps VISTA Member
Service Years: 2019- Present
Boulder County Public Health
AmeriCorps VISTA Member
Service Years: 2019- Present


Parker Semler
"To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded." Ralph Waldo Emerson
CCAHEC
AmeriCorps State Alum
Service Years: 2019- Present
CCAHEC
AmeriCorps State Alum
Service Years: 2019- Present


Katie Lazar
Central Colorado AHEC
AmeriCorps State Alum
Service Years: 2018
Central Colorado AHEC
AmeriCorps State Alum
Service Years: 2018


Mychal Morrill
I got into service with the idea that it was a part of life that everyone should have. I was wrong. It’s a lifestyle.
AmeriCorps VISTA Alum
Service Years: 2018 - 2019
AmeriCorps VISTA Alum
Service Years: 2018 - 2019


Arianna Sherman
South Western & Western Colorado AHECs
AmeriCorps State Alum
Service Years: 2017-2018
South Western & Western Colorado AHECs
AmeriCorps State Alum
Service Years: 2017-2018


Matthew Martinez
Honored to be serving a community.
Steamboat Springs
AmeriCorps VISTA
Service Year(s): 2020 - Present
Steamboat Springs
AmeriCorps VISTA
Service Year(s): 2020 - Present

Goals and Performance Measures
Each member will:
- Work with 5 community organizations to provide capacity building services.
- Have 3 community organizations report an increase in capacity
- Train 50 Community Members on local, low-cost services LGBTQ+ friendly providers, MAT Providers, and insurance companies that prioritize substance misuse care, behavioral health, and LGBTQ+ care
- Train 10 Community Members on using an interactive, engaging lesson to educate and empower teens about substance misuse
- Train 10 Community Members on how to teach others to identify and respond to an opioid overdose
- Track and increase the number of law enforcement personnel engaged in local community coalitions by 3
Activities
- Expand and strengthen partnerships and networks
- Expand scale and reach to increase community awareness and program engagement
- Build capacity for financial resources
- Expand technology use
- Build volunteer recruitment and management systems capacity
- Develop programs and increasing delivery capacity
- Expand outreach participant capacity
COVID-19 Information
The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) has released the following information with regards to the COVID-19 situation.
CNCS is granting temporary exceptions to three VISTA policies, to best support VISTA members and projects during this unprecedented time:
- Temporarily removing the cap on two days of teleservice per pay period,
- Temporarily increasing the number of emergency leave days a sponsor may grant a member from 5 days to 14 days,
- Temporarily permitting members to submit a self-written justification for consideration in lieu of medical documentation for coronavirus related early terminations.
Further information about these exceptions is detailed in the VISTA-specific FAQs on our website at www.nationalservice.gov/coronavirus.
For more information and useful links about COVID-19, please click here.
Contact Information
Kristine Rubio, Central Colorado AHEC AmeriCorps Program Manager, kristine@centralcoahec.org, 720-828-3611




