A crisis intervention program that serves Montezuma County was recognized for its dedication and community service at a statewide ceremony on Saturday, May 3.
Our local Community Intervention Program, minus one member, traveled to Denver for the 10th annual Red Cross Rocky Mountain Heroes.
It was one of 10 statewide” community champions” honored at the event, and six others were honored with lifesaving awards, said Ann Vastmans, a Red Cross spokesperson.
Vastmans said the event is a fundraiser, but ultimately aims to “recognize people making a difference in the community … and people that embody Red Cross’s mission.”
That mission, as stated on the American Red Cross website, centers on preventing and alleviating “human suffering in the face of emergencies.”
“The work CIP does is rare,” she said. “There aren’t many groups or programs like them.”
The team responds to noncriminal calls, in lieu of law enforcement, after 911 dispatches them. CIP has behavioral health clinicians, EMTs and a certified addiction specialist on staff.
CIP helps “address immediate needs and connect individuals with ongoing resources,” a news release announcing the achievement reads.
It “has become a trusted resource and a lifeline for many in the community,” the news release said.
Quinn Deffenbaugh, an EMT on the CIP team, said that a lot of programs partner with law enforcement, but CIP is unique in that it partners with EMTs.
“Anecdotally, hearing from law enforcement, EMS, the fire protection district, it’s a big burden off their day” having CIP responding to calls, said Haley Leonard-Saunders, the director of communications at Axis Health System.
Since 2021, the team has responded 2,728 calls for service.
Charlee Sharp, a certified addiction specialist on the team, said it was “overwhelming” to be recognized in Denver on Saturday.
“In a good way,” added Dante Downey, a peer support specialist on the CIP team. “It shows we’re doing the right thing.”
“It was reinforcement; it showed what we’re doing is having impact,” said Deffenbaugh.
“I am so blessed to be part of this team and honored to serve our community in such a meaningful way,” said Sharp.
She added, “I really hope we can continue to find a way to do so.”
The CIP program is funded through June, and is still in search of sustainable funding.
Leonard-Saunders said that community partners, the towns and the LOR Foundation have been helpful and are “digging” for grants and funding, “but it’s hard with the state and federal budgets.”
“We’re in an unmarked vehicle and fairly anonymous, which can be good,” Deffenbaugh said. “But the side effect is that in crunch time, when we need support more than ever, we’re not in the front of people’s minds.”
“Yeah, being under the radar means we’re also under the radar for funding,” said Leonard-Saunders.
To support the CIP team, you can donate online or reach out to Haley Leonard-Saunders via email at hleonard@axishealthsystem.org.
