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Parks & Community Services

ure Centers are proud to have several active and retired y p p n our flock Bobbie Lewis is a fixture at the front desk at Bear Creek Nature Center. After her husband Sandy’s graduation from the Air Force Academy, they had embarked on a career that took them to assignments in Texas, Panama Canal Zone, South Carolina, South Korea, Oklahoma, and Florida At each location, while Sandy was flying, Bobbie was teaching elementary school children with learning disabilities, instructing water aerobics, working at a health food store, or volunteering in various other capacities. Fortunately, the Air Force eventually returned these native Coloradans to their home state! Now, following over 28 years of service in the Air Force, Sandy and Bobbie have spent over 20 years volunteering at El Paso County Parks, Bobbie working as a docent, and Sandy helping at special events whenever needed

Both having volunteered extensively at a National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma and a National Seashore in Florida (and Bobbie at a Zoo in Florida), when they arrived in Colorado Springs, they were looking for a new place to share their love of nature. El Paso County Parks (specifically Bear Creek and Fountain Creek Nature Centers) turned out to be the perfect choice. The Nature Centers gave them the chance to contribute through interaction with visitors, sharing the excitement of the natural world with children, and assisting with special events that help to fund El Paso County Parks priorities. A bonus is that Bobbie and Sandy truly enjoy spending time with and learning from the outstanding Staff members.

Board of County Commissioners

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is an opportunity to shine a light on the problems of physical, emotional, and financial abuse of elders. The Board of Commissioners recently recognized June 15th, 2023, as Elder Abuse Awareness Day in El Paso County, and encouraged residents to celebrate the many and varied contributions and accomplishments of our senior citizens on this day and throughout the month of June. As we think of ways to care for our veteran population, of which many are also senior citizens, it is important to bolster community efforts to keep our elders safe.

Supporting military families with nutrition education and food benefits through El Paso County Public Health’s Women, Infants and Children program

El Paso County Public Health’s (EPCPH) Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program is expanding easy access to healthy food and nutritional information for the many military families across El Paso County On a weekly basis, two WIC educators are present at Fort Carson Army Community Service Center to provide appointments and convenient walk-in services. This helps reduce barriers such as transportation for military families by providing on-base access to WIC services, including nutrition and food benefits. The WIC program provides nutrition education, food benefits, breastfeeding support and community referrals for eligible families. WIC staff also participate in numerous events for military personnel and their families, including the Air Force Academy’s Bundles for Babies, training for pregnant soldiers, and informational events at the Childhood Development Centers.

WIC educators are available at Fort Carson Army Community Services on Mondays from 12:30 –3:30 p.m. WIC is also available at all three El Paso County Public Health locations:

Citizens Service Center, 1675. W. Garden of the Gods Rd., Suite 2044

Valley Hi, 2948 E. Fountain Blvd.

Public Health South, 6436 S. US Highway 85-87

To learn more about the WIC program, visit www.elpasocountyhealth.org/service/wic.

To support mental health and resilience for all El Paso County residents, El Paso County Public Health (EPCPH) partners with the El Paso County Suicide Prevention Collaborative, a unique group of partners across different sectors working together to prevent and reduce suicide. The Collaborative is focused on reducing suicides in El Paso County by 20 percent by 2024, through the implementation of numerous suicide prevention strategies. Within the Collaborative, there are several different work groups, one of which focuses on ways to support our many service members, veterans and military families.

The Collaborative is working to increase awareness around existing mental health services for community members. One local resource working with our veteran community is Next Chapter. Next Chapter partners with UCHealth, Mt. Carmel Veteran’s Services, and the Colorado Behavioral Health Administration and recognizes that in a Veteran’s life, each new day presents an opportunity to write the story of their journey. The next chapter in a life story can be one full of hope, health, opportunity, and fulfillment. Therefore, Next Chapter exists to serve the veteran and veteran family population throughout El Paso County, to help support each person's next chapter after their military service. From behavioral health services to medication management, there is no out-of-pocket cost to those they serve. Their staff are all veterans or veteran family members, which supports their commitment to providing quality care that fits the needs of each person. Veterans and their family members can make an appointment through the program website at nextchapterco.org.

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, contact the Veterans Crisis Line (1-888-719-VETS) to receive free, confidential support and crisis intervention; the Veterans Crisis Line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. You can also dial 988, where a trained crisis counselor takes the call, provides support, and connects the person with resources as necessary.

On August 2, 2022, the United States Congress passed bipartisan legislation known as the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act –also known as the PACT Act. The Act provides affected veterans, their families, and caregivers with heath care and benefits.

As El Paso County is home to nearly 100,000 veterans, the El Paso County Division of Veterans Services has made it their mission to help veterans and dependents maximize their benefits. To that end, the Veterans Services office, along with partners both inside and outside of El Paso County, are hosting a Claims Clinic Events...

Monday, August 7

Tuesday, August 8

Wednesday, August 9 from noon to 8 p.m.