GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KJCT) -Delta County Public Health Received a $125,000 grant. The money is from the Caring for Colorado Foundation as part of an initiative to expand reproductive healthcare.
Money from the Grant is going towards several things over the course of 18 months. This includes expanding access to contraceptive care, as well as testing, screening, and treatment of Sexually Transmitted Infections.
This care is especially important as cases of certain STIs are on the rise in Colorado. According to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Syphilis diagnoses in the state more than doubled from 2019-2023, rising from 1,423 in 2019 to 3,218 in 2023.
“By expanding access to screening and treatment and care, we’re working towards decreasing the impact of these infectious diseases,” said Robin Mills, a Delta County Public Health Nurse Practitioner.
Another thing money from the grant is going toward is training staff to be certified medical interpreter to help increase access for Spanish speaking residents.
“We want to make sure that all of our services and resources are accessible to all people,” said Mills.
Private grants like this are very important for rural health care providers who primarily rely on federal grants.
“Having a mixed budget, grants from multiple sources, creates a more stable budget. More stable budgets mean more stable funding, which means we can have more stable services for the community,” said Mills.
Mills said she hopes the money will help them continue the care the community needs.
“Making sure that we can continue the services that we currently provide as well as expand services, connect with the community and make sure that we’re providing the services that they truly need and want,” said Mills.
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