Denver’s Wellness Winnie program adding vehicles, services

are wanting those services.” e city’s bright purple eet of RV buses and vans is on a mission to change these statistics for the better, by bringing straightforward, e ective care directly to the people who need it.

BY NATALIE KERR SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

e demand for behavioral health services is massively outpacing supply, to the tune of more than 40% of Denver residents not being able to receive care, despite attempting to obtain it, according to a 2023 report from the Denver O ce for Public Health and Environment.

It’s a situation caused by myriad factors — overworked sta , nancial barriers for patients and complicated, time-consuming processes that block people from ultimately receiving treatment.

“ ere’s just not enough behavioral health services for folks to access,” said Kalyn Horst, administrator for DPHE Substance Use and Prevention. “And of those that exist, they may not be o ered in a way that feels culturally competent, and approachable and appropriate for people that e Wellnesss Winnie program is adding two Mini Winnies and a larger Super Winnie medical RV to its eet this fall. ey will be stationed around the city at least once per week. e Winnies will also have expanded services provided by an advanced practitioner and registered nurse who can provide clinical services like wound care and medically assisted treatment to those who need it. e Mini Winnies will also be available upon request for community events and gatherings where organizers believe the services could be bene cial. e vans are highly mobile, so they can go where a need exists, reducing transportation barriers to care.

“Our response now is, people are needing help, and they’re already there,” Horst said. “By Wellness Winnie being there, it’s not that we’re bringing the people to us, we are coming to the people.”

Additionally, the Wellness Winnie program is partnering with Denver Public Schools to offer services at six community hubs connected to local elementary schools in higher-needs neighborhoods within all of Denver’s regions, Horst said. The six hubs are Place Bridge Academy in the Washington Virginia Vale neighborhood, Colfax Elementary in the

To learn more about the Wellness Winnie, visit tinyurl.com/Wellness-WinnieDenver.

West Colfax neighborhood, Smith Elementary in Northeast Park Hill, Focus Points Family Resource Center in Elyria Swansea, John H.