Sand Canyon Therapy has launched the Community Access and Support Initiative, a nonprofit designed to address gaps in rural mental health services, specialized training and emergency support in Montezuma County.
The clinic provides mental health and skills-based services for children, adults and families, with a focus on neurodivergence and other specialized needs. It created the initiative to expand beyond what the clinic can currently offer the community. The Community Access and Support Initiative focuses on free or low-cost professional trainings, emergency financial assistance and resources such as its community closet.
Annie Diaz, founder, clinical director and therapist at Sand Canyon Therapy, said she initially considered a nonprofit structure before opening the clinic to meet urgent community needs. Within the first year, the practice established an emergency fund through local partnerships to assist with eviction prevention, utility payments, transportation and crisis stabilization.
“These experiences made clear that the needs in our community extend far beyond traditional therapy services,” Diaz told The Journal.
As demand grew, the Sand Canyon Therapy team began discussions with Onward in December to explore broader community efforts.
Diaz said CASI aims to deliver high-quality trainings to providers, educators and caregivers at no cost when possible.
She said in rural communities, obtaining advanced training and specialized services often means long travel, high costs or relocating, creating obstacles for providers and educators and families who need support for developmental and trauma needs.
“Parents often face similar barriers when seeking comprehensive evaluations or services for their children,” she said.
The initiative has secured funding for a fall training with Dr. Robert Grant, founder of AutPlay Therapy. More than 40 community members have already shared input on training topics and scheduling.
Future trainings will be determined based on community needs and priorities.
“We plan to regularly assess community needs through surveys and ongoing collaboration with local providers, schools and families,” Diaz noted.
She said the initiative will seek funding to support educators who lack access to specialized behavioral health training and to ease the financial and travel burdens families face when seeking assessments unavailable locally.
The program also continues emergency assistance and operates a community closet that includes free clothes, shoes, household items and other essentials. Plans also include expanding the closet with improved space, storage and access.
“We want to make a meaningful difference in our community, big or small,” skills development specialist Cameron Shafer said. “Living in a rural area comes with many challenges, and we don’t want access to mental or behavioral health to be one of them.”
Diaz said future goals include securing sustainable funding to support mental health services for uninsured and underinsured individuals without straining the small practice.
“We know that mental health has been identified as a focus area by the county health department, and we are so excited to be joining the efforts of other nonprofits, community leaders and care providers to address these vital needs and foster long-term resilience in our community,” Sand Canyon mental health therapist Alyssa Grams said.
The initiative also aims to improve access to complementary services such as massage therapy, acupuncture and neurofeedback, as well as assessments that reduce travel burdens for families.
“Our community deserves access to the same level of knowledge, care and support that is often only available in larger or more resourced areas,” Diaz said. “Rather than asking families and professionals to leave to find that support, we are working to bring it here.”
CASI operates from the same location as Sand Canyon Therapy at 37 N. Madison St. Community members can reach the initiative by emailing info@sandcanyontherapy.org or calling (970) 516-1003 for volunteering, training and assistance.
