Spark Health Corps

SPARK HEALTH

WE ARE RESPONSIVE ADAPTERS, SPARKING SOLUTIONS THAT MEET PUBLIC HEALTH NEEDS OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE STATE.

Spark the Change Colorado has been awarded $219,457 to build a public health AmeriCorps program. The grant will expand the presence of Spark’s Mental Wellness Program in Colorado, where we have been providing free mental health services for low income Coloradans since 2016.

How it Works:

With this new funding, Spark will leverage the skills and experience of 20 AmeriCorps members in the state of Colorado to increase the number of students reporting a change or intent to change behavior to improve their mental health. These AmeriCorps members will be placed at Host Sites across the state of Colorado to provide mental wellness counseling and education to vulnerable K-12 students at public charter schools.

Get Involved!:

Volunteers interested in participating in Spark Health Corps can contact Spark’s Mental Wellness Program Director, Kelly Groen, at kgroen@sparkthechangecolorado.org or (720) 420-3216. Download the flyer and help spread the word!

We are currently hiring for a Spark Health Corps Program Manager! This is a full time position that will be hybrid between in person and remote work. To learn more or apply today, download the full position description.

About Our Partners:

AmeriCorps: AmeriCorps, the federal agency for volunteerism and national service, provides opportunities for Americans to serve their country domestically, address the nation’s most pressing challenges, improve lives and communities, and strengthen civic engagement. Each year, the agency places more than 250,000 AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers in intensive service roles; and empowers millions more to serve as long-term, short-term, or onetime volunteers. Learn more at AmeriCorps.gov. 

Colorado Charter School Institute: CSI is a statewide charter public school authorizer in Colorado, currently authorizing 42 schools from Towaoc to Steamboat Springs, Grand Junction to Colorado Springs and serving over 20,000 PK-12 students. As a charter authorizer, CSI focuses on the outputs—that is, the quantitative evaluation of academic, organizational, and financial school performance—providing schools the flexibility to focus on and make decisions about inputs like instructional strategies, educational programming, internal assessment system, facility selection, and staffing. The focus on outcomes rather than processes allows CSI to be neutral on educational model and maintain a diverse portfolio of school models, which include Classical, Early College, Alternative, and Montessori models. Learn more at www.csi.state.co.us and follow CSI on Facebook and Twitter.

Serve Colorado: Serve Colorado, the Governor’s Commission on Community Service, administers the AmeriCorps program in Colorado and promotes community service throughout the state to build a culture of citizenship, service, and individual responsibility. For more information visit, servecolorado.colorado.gov.

About Our Host Sites:

Spark Health Corps Members will provide Tier 1 and Tier 3 mental wellness counseling and education to vulnerable K-12 students at public charter schools throughout Colorado, known as Host Sites. Confirmed Host Sites include:

Kwiyagat Community Academy (Towaoc, CO): Kwiyagat Community Academy is located in Towaoc, Colorado, serving students in grades K-2 with a Project-Based Learning educational model. The mission of the Kwiyagat Community Academy is to ensure an educational program where the Nuchiu culture and language guides the educational experience and is characterized by small class sizes with an interdisciplinary, indigenous, and project-based approach that results in high academic expectations and desired character skills, personal wellness, and community involvement. Learn more: https://utekca.org/

Animas High School (Durango, CO): Animas High School is located in Durango, Colorado, serving students in grades 9-12 with a Project-Based Learning educational model. Animas High School's mission is to prepare all students for college and postsecondary success by creating critical thinkers and engaged citizens through an innovative, student-centered, project-based curriculum. Learn more: http://animashighschool.com/ 

New America School Aurora (Aurora, CO): New America School Aurora is located in Aurora, Colorado, serving students in grades 9-12 with an Alternative Education Campus educational model. New America School Aurora's mission is to serve English Language Learners, new immigrants, non-traditional students, and traditional students seeking a more personal atmosphere that fits their learning needs. Learn more: https://www.newamericaschool.org/

James Irwin Charter Academy (Colorado Springs, CO): James Irwin Charter Academy is located in Colorado, Springs, Colorado, serving students in grades K-5 with a Core Knowledge educational model. The mission of James Irwin Charter Schools is to help guide students in the development of their character and academic potential through academically rigorous, content-rich educational programs. Learn more: https://www.jamesirwin.org/

Prospect Academy (Arvada, CO): Prospect Academy is located in Arvada, Colorado, serving students in grades 5-8 with a Personalized Learning educational model. Prospect Academy is founded on the belief that all students, including those who learn differently and those that struggle in school, can reach their potential with the right programming and support. Their mission is to provide a safe, calm, and inclusive learning environment that educates students with behavioral and learning challenges and prepares them for a successful life from high school to college or career. Learn more: https://www.prospectacademyco.org/

Steamboat Montessori (Steamboat Springs, CO): Steamboat Montessori is located in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, serving students in grades PK-6 with a Montessori educational model. Steamboat Montessori's mission is to inspire all children to learn and grow as responsible global citizens in a collaborative, peaceful and safe environment. They are committed to using authentic Montessori methods with integrity to develop each child’s intrinsic intelligence as they become resilient, self-directed leaders and problem solvers. Montessori seeks to create a respectful, safe, nurturing and diverse educational community where students, staff, parents and community members collaborate to become empowered, enriched, challenged, resilient and prepared individuals collectively meeting the demands of an ever-changing society. Learn more: https://steamboatmontessori.org/

Monument View Montessori (Fruita, CO): Monument View Montessori Charter School is located Fruita, Colorado, serving students in grades PK-3 with a Montessori educational model. Monument View Montessori's mission is to instill a lifelong love of learning through a structured and individualized classroom experience aimed at nurturing the self-directed student. Monument View Montessori envisions itself as a leader in rural Montessori education. MVMCS seeks to provide its community of learners with the requisite skills to be successful students, citizens, and leaders. Leaning heavily on the Montessori linchpins of grace and courtesy, MVMCS is committed to providing students the structure, guidance, and affirmation necessary to realize their full potential. Learn more: https://mvmcharter.org/