SUMMITNEWS: October 2024

News, SummitNews

LETTER FROM THE INTERIM CEO

I am honored to introduce myself as SummitStone Health Partners Interim CEO. My journey with this organization spans just under 30 years, every iteration of our organizational name (including Larimer County Mental Health!), and multiple roles including clinician for youth and families, Chief Operations Officer, and Chief Clinical Officer. Between 1999 and 2007, I stepped away briefly to serve as Executive Director for Namaqua Center. While there, I led the acquisition of our organization by SummitStone thus returning to SummitStone as Namaqua Center Director. My career has been rooted in a commitment to bringing the highest quality behavioral health services to the communities of Larimer County. I am excited to bring my diverse experience to this role. As a long time SummitStone employee, I am continually inspired by the exceptional skill, passion, dedication, and resilience of our team and by our shared values of acceptance, togetherness, equity, and bold leadership. Further, there is a special quality to Larimer County and Northern Colorado—a spirit of partnership that strengthens our entire community. I am so very proud of and committed to continuing SummitStone’s participation in this rich tradition of deep collaboration. As I come into this role, I also acknowledge the circumstances necessitating my transition to Interim CEO. As we previously communicated, recent times have brought significant challenges, including difficult decisions that have affected our organization and the community. While we’ve had to implement some hard changes, my unwavering focus as interim CEO remains on rebuilding and strengthening the trust you’ve placed in SummitStone. SummitStone remains fully committed to ensuring we can continue to meet the community’s behavioral health needs for years to come. As we navigate the evolving landscape of behavioral health care, we remain adaptable and committed to meet the changing needs of our community. As we move forward, I am grateful for the trust placed in me by the SummitStone Board of Directors to guide our organization through this period of transition. This responsibility is one I take to heart, and I’m committed to honoring it fully. I look forward to working closely with our dedicated Board, our talented staff, the individuals and families we serve, and our valued community partners. Together, we will continue our vital work and pave the way for SummitStone’s next chapter of leadership and service. I look forward to fostering continued collaboration and partnerships within our community. Your support means everything to us. Together, we can create a stronger, healthier community for all.

Warmest regards,
Cyndi

 

SUMMITSTONE IN THE COMMUNITY CELEBRATING OUR CO-RESPONSE TEAM: SUPPORTING BEHAVIORAL HEALTH THROUGH COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

SummitStone Health Partners teams up with Northern Colorado law enforcement and emergency services to offer empathetic, behavioral health support right where it is needed. SummitStone co-responder clinicians are embedded in the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office, Loveland Police Department, Estes Park Police Department, Johnstown Police Department, and
Thompson School District.

The Co-Response model partners clinicians with law enforcement to provide a behavioral health centered approach to community members experiencing a mental health crisis. Megan Hencinksi, SummitStone’s Co-Response Program Manager shared, “it allows clinicians to meet the individual in crisis where they are at and be able to assess for safety of the individual, safety for the community and identify treatment needs.” In the past year, SummitStone’s Co-Response program provided a cumulative of 5,960 services in Larimer
County.

 

Co-Response and Crisis Responders

Thank you for joining us in celebrating our Co-Response Team this October by spreading awareness and recognizing this important work across our community and country!

 

AcuWellness (Acudetox) Hickory Village Fort Collins CO SummitStone Health Partners

Paige L. providing FREE AcuWellness treatments at the Hickory Village Resource Fair in Fort Collins.

 

Mental Health Outreach in Fort Collins Colorado SummitStone Health Partners

Providing resource information to attendees at the Center Parent and Grandparent summit in collaboration with The Center for Family Outreach.

 

Mental Health Outreach Old Town Square Fort Collins CO SummitStone Health Partners

In August, SummitStone employees honored International Overdose Awareness Day with remembrance, resources, and harm reduction supplies in collaboration with the Northern Colorado Health Alliance and our partners in Fort Collins, Loveland and Estes Park.