Project BLOOM - AURORA

Mission:
Project BLOOM-Aurora's vision is to ensure the mental health and social and emotional well-being of Aurora's young children.

Project BLOOM works with both statewide and local coalitions to weave family-centered, community-based mental health supports and services into a seamless early childhood system that promotes healthy social-emotional development, identifies risk factors, and provides high-quality services.

Initial funding: SAMHSA Substance Abuse Mental Health Services

Values:

We want to ensure that services and supports for young children are:
• Family-centered - Families have a voice in the services/supports that they and their children participate in and families feel like true partners in the services they receive.
• Culturally competent - Services support families' culture and values.
• Community-based - Services/supports are available in settings that will be beneficial for the child and the family.
• Well coordinated - Coordination occurs between the various agencies that young children and families work with. Plans are developed-and reviews occur-with all necessary providers and family members.
• Available - Needs are identified and services are accessible early in a young child's life.
• Appropriate - Programs meet the needs of young children and families and help them to grow and progress.

Goals:

Children with Severe Emotional Disorders (SED) and their families in Aurora have the resources they need for their children in a wide range of environments.
1. Mental Health services are integrated into a wide range of environments.
   • Childcare providers have education, resources and access to mental health services for children to support culturally-competent social emotional development.
   • Primary Care Physicians/Nurse Practitioners will use screening tools and referral sources for children with SED.
   • The community will have sustainable funding for mental health services and support for families with limited resources.
   • Home visitation and family, community programs will have mental health resources, education and support for young children.
   • Services and supports are accessible and are culturally and linguistically competent.
2. Families will be equal partners in a supportive and collaborative service delivery process.
   • The community will use effective and respectful communication protocols to share information with family and across agencies for the care of the child.
   • The community will use formal and informal agreements to support collaboration and accountability.
   • The community will use effective protocols and funding to ensure young children with SED transition successfully into public school from Early Care and Education environments.
   • Families and Youth will be equal partners and involved at all levels including: Service Delivery, System Development / Enhancement, and Policy.

Partners:

Currently the following partners are involved with ACECC:
• Aurora Mental Health Center
• Arapahoe County Early Childhood Council
• Arapahoe County Department of Human Services
• Aurora Public Schools
• Developmental Pathways
• Tri-County Health
• Family Members/Parents
• Youth
• Cherry Creek Public Schools
• CP of Colorado-Head Start/Early Head Start
• Behavioral Health, Inc. (BHI)

We are always welcoming new partners.

For more information, contact:
Lisa Jansen Thompson, LPC
Aurora Mental Health's Early Childhood and Family Center
11059 E. Bethany Drive, Suite 200
Aurora, CO 80014
Direct Line: 303-617-2466
Main Number: 303-617-2457
Fax: 303-617-2475
Email: Lisajansenthompson@aumhc.org