Sol Center at Alta Verde

(970) 262-3888

Silverthorne & Breckenridge

9:00 am - 5:00 pm

In person: Mon., Tues., Thurs.
Virtual office : Wed.

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COVID-19

FIRC is working closely with community partners to provide families and individuals with the support needed to remain healthy during these uncertain times. We hope you find the following resources helpful. We will continue to update this page as things change during the coronavirus COVID-19 response.

Please remember our staff is taking phone appointments for health insurance, mental health navigation, supportive services, and parenting support. Please call 970-262-3888.

COVID Rental and Mortgage Relief Assistance

To be considered for rental or mortgage assistance funding, you must live or work in Summit County, Colorado. We are unable to make exceptions. 

Local Food Assistance Support

Summit County is offering free food delivery for those who are ill or in mandatory quarantine. Call 970-668-2940 to get food or medications delivered to your home.

FIRC offers weekly drive-through food pantries. For more information click below.

Employment & Financial Support

We strongly encourage you to look into government programs like unemployment and Medicaid that can support you during these uncertain times. The following are ways you can apply for food, health insurance or financial assistance if you have lost your job or income.

FIRC is doing everything we can to support locals during these uncertain times, but we need you to advocate for the government services that you may now qualify for. Many of these services take a few weeks to kick in, so please apply as soon as possible. This will help you regain some stability. 

Financial Assistance for Medications

Due to COVID-19, many people are facing financial hardship. A generous grant by the Summit Foundation to the FIRC has increased our capacity to provide the community with a one-time, payment for medications, medical supplies or to access needed care.

  • Only people who live or work in Summit County will qualify.
  • Verification of financial hardship due to COVID-19 required.
  • Verification of expense (invoice) required.
  • The medical need must be part of an emergency or necessary care.

 

This assistance will be offered as a one-time assistance. The maximum request considered will be $1000. This assistance will not pay medical bills already accrued. Applicants will connect with a Health Navigator to provide wrap-around supports within 5 business days. Requests will be processed daily.

Will consider requests for: 

  • Prescriptions
  • Needed medical supplies
  • Oxygen Concentrator Rental
  • Medical Appointment
  • Other requests considered on a case by case basis

Referral Process for the FIRC:

Partners are welcome to refer a person/family by completing the following application. (Personal info required).

The link may be shared with individuals in need to complete on their own:

In order to provide wrap-around services, screening for supports such as unemployment, behavioral health, medical health, and food resources will be performed. Referrals are voluntary.

For support call Kelly McGann Cell: 970-316-5795 Office: 970-455-0239

Colorado Unemployment

Unemployment benefits may be available to workers who have lost their job through no fault of their own.

Unemployment Guidelines

  • In order to qualify for benefits, you must have lost your job through no fault of your own (for example
    a layoff, reduction in hours, or reduction in pay not related to performance). The state contact your previous employer(s) to help determine whether or not you may qualify.
  • The applicant is now working less than 32 hours per week and earning less than the weekly benefit amount on their claim.
  • The applicant earned at least $2,500 (including tips) between October 2018 and September 2019.
  • Guidebook to Colorado Unemployment
  • You must prove that you are lawfully living in the country – and show proof:  valid CO drivers license, ID card or military ID card or US Passport
  • Claim will take 4-6 weeks to process.
  • Video about qualification

 

What you need to apply (according to Colorado unemployment):

  • Social Security Number
  • Legal name
  • Address
  • Information about your jobs over the last 18 months
  • Name and address of each employer over the last 18 months
  • Why you don’t work there anymore
  • Gross amount and date received of any additional income you received like vacation pay or severance pay
  • License or ID number or alien permit number if you are not a US citizen

 

Additional information from Colorado Unemployment:

Medicaid Health Insurance

If you have lost your job or had a decrease in income, you may qualify for Medicaid. This provides you with health insurance and no monthly premiums. During these uncertain times, it is strongly recommended people have health insurance. 

You may apply online or FIRC’s Health Team Navigators can provide assistance. To make an appointment with FIRC call 970-262-3888.

Benefit Information - Colorado PEAK

The fast and easy way to access benefit information – anytime and anywhere. PEAK is an online service for Coloradans to screen and apply for medical, food, cash, and early childhood assistance programs.

Income Assistance - TANF

Colorado Works is Colorado’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. It provides public assistance to families who qualify.

Under Colorado Works, applicants who are either pregnant or have at least one dependent child under the age of 18, and who meet other eligibility requirements, can receive monthly cash assistance payments, help with emergency household expenses, and/or services such as counseling and job training.

All aspects of the Colorado Works Program are designed to assist families in becoming self-sufficient and terminating their dependence on government benefits.

Food Assistance - SNAP

The Food Assistance Program provides monthly benefits to low-income households in Summit County to assist with the cost of food.

  • These benefits are deposited monthly onto an EBT card.
  • Food Assistance Eligibility: You may be eligible for food assistance if you:
  • Are unemployed, work part-time or work for low wages
  • Only households who are or have children that are U.S. citizens and/or legal permanent residents are eligible for Food Assistance.
  • Questions? Call 970-668-9160

Food Assistance - WIC

Enrollment: call Public Health English 970-668-9199. Summit County WIC participants must reside in Colorado, and be within income guidelines. 

This program is available to:

  • Pregnant women
  • A new mom who had a baby or was pregnant in the past 6 months
  • Mom breastfeeding a baby under 1 year of age
  • Child younger than 5 years
  • Typically, a family of four can earn up to $3,970 a month before taxes (gross monthly income) and still qualify for WIC.

Federal Student Loans

Parenting Support & Resources

Mental Health and Recovery Resources

FIRC’s Health Navigators, Building Hope and recovery support are here for you.

Local Mental Health Supports:

  • Mental Health Crisis: 844-493-TALK
  • Colorado Crisis Services: 1-844-493-8255 or text at 38255. If you or a loved one is in a mental health crisis, call. They provide confidential, professional support 24/7.
  • FIRC Mental Health Navigators: English or Español, 970-262-3888
  • Building Hope:  buildinghopesummit.org or call for English 970-389-1151 and Spanish 970-485-6271
  • Recovery Support and Alcoholics Anonymous: Call Agape at 970-453-1247.

A Message from FIRC’s Mental Health Navigators:

Now, more than ever, we have an important responsibility to be proactive about our own mental health as well as reach out to support each other when feelings of isolation, despair, or grief arise. We wanted to take a quick moment to let you know that although we have changed settings a bit, we are committed to continuing to offering mental health support to the community in ways that adhere to recommendations for social distancing but are accessible and timely:

Mental Health Navigation – Our navigators are still available to provide support and guidance to the Summit County community. If folks are needing help finding a therapist, connecting with crisis resources, discussing substance use treatment, or figuring out how to afford services, we are here to help. Navigation appointments are available via video or phone. To make a referral for navigation, please click here

Spanish-speaking Peer Support (ALMA) – We are excited to welcome Patty Garcia to the FIRC family as our new ALMA coordinator. With her help, we are continuing to accept new referrals for the ALMA program. To refer someone to ALMA, please complete the following referral form

Additionally, we feel that it is critical to continue to provide emotional support to our community of Spanish-speaking women. For this reason, companeras will continue to see their clients and provide skills for coping with stress and managing anxiety. These sessions will be offered via video or phone.

Mental Health Resources in the Community – Mental health providers around the county and the world are rising to the occasion to continue to provide services and support especially as folks feel the effects of social isolation, anxiety, and grief.

We are proud of all of our partners around the county who have mobilized quickly to ensure continuity of services for existing and new clients. Summit Community Care Clinic, School-Based Health, and Mind Springs Health have successfully moved all of their behavioral health support to a telehealth model. New clients can be routed through their front desk for scheduled intakes. Additionally, private providers are collaborating for best practices on telehealth and most can now continue seeing their clients while also practicing safe social distancing through secure video platforms. Mind Springs is even getting creative after having to close the Safe Haven Detox to support clients who need to detox or need support staying sober through phone call check-ins and debriefs. Pasted below, Building Hope has compiled an excellent list of resources, both local and national, of mental health and substance use resources for all ages.

Tips for Taking Care of your Mental Health – By now, we are all aware of the importance of washing hands, social distancing, and attention to good nutrition and sleep for keeping COVID-19 at bay in our families, community, and country. But we know that fear, shame, and despair can be just as contagious as a virus and can often feel just as concerning. Take a quick moment to catch up on hopeful and positive news like this article. Additionally, here are some helpful tips from the CDC for caring for your mental health during this time:

  • Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including social media. Hearing about the pandemic repeatedly can be upsetting.
  • Take care of your body. Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditate. Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals, exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep, and avoid alcohol and drugs.
  • Make time to unwind. Try to do some other activities you enjoy.
  • Connect with others. Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling.
    (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/managing-stress-anxiety.html)

Anxiety and uncertainty 

Our mental health team (including navigation and peer support for Spanish-speakers) is continuing to serve existing and new clients. As we face this unprecedented challenge, remember that proactively caring for your mental health and stress levels is important for your family and your own physical health.

Feel free to reference this anxiety workbook for helpful info on understanding stress and anxiety and some strategic ways to build resilience during this time Coronavirus-Anxiety-Workbook  

Please let us know if there’s anything we can do to support you during this time of unknowns and new rhythms. We are here to support you.

Dealing with Trauma and Grief during this time

That Discomfort you’re feeling is Grief

Hierarchy of Needs during Coronavirus

Coping Tips

People that are feeling emotional distress related to COVID-19 can take action to help support themselves and others.

  • Set a limit on media consumption, including social media, local or national news.
  • Stay active. Make sure to get enough sleep and rest. Stay hydrated and avoid excessive amounts of caffeine or alcohol. Eat healthy foods when possible.
  • Connect with loved ones and others who may be experiencing stress about the outbreak. Talk about your feelings and enjoy conversation unrelated to the outbreak.
  • Get accurate health information from reputable sources. For health information about COVID-19, please contact the Centers for Disease Control at cdc.gov, your local healthcare provider, or your local 211 and 311 services, if available.
  • The national Disaster Distress Helpline is available to anyone experiencing emotional distress related to COVID-19. Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to speak to a caring counselor.
  • If you’re experiencing emotional distress related to COVID-19, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline or your local crisis line.
  • For coping tools and resources, visit the Lifeline website at suicidepreventionlifeline.org or Vibrant Emotional Health’s Safe Space at vibrant.org/safespace.
  • The National Domestic Violence Hotline has highly trained advocates available 24/7 to ensure services and continue to support survivors.
COVID-19 Assistance Services

News & Events

View our recent updates on Covid-19 programs, initiatives, community results.

FIRC COVID 19 Response
Supportive Services

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