Community Connections is proud to introduce Southwest Colorado Cares (SWCC), a new regional initiative designed to strengthen coordination among health, human service, and community organizations across Archuleta, Dolores, La Plata, Montezuma and San Juan counties. Developed in collaboration with partners throughout the region, SWCC represents a shared vision for a more connected and responsive system of care that makes it easier for residents to find the help they need, when they need it.
“As Community Connections celebrates 40 years of service, this marks an important next step in our evolution,” said Tara Kiene, President and CEO of Community Connections. “Southwest Colorado Cares brings together providers and community organizations who share a common goal: ensuring that everyone in our region can access the care, resources, and support needed to live healthy, fulfilling lives.”
The proposal to create SWCC was an outcome of the La Plata Healthcare Improvement Coalition (LPHIC), a 2023 initiative sponsored by the League of Women Voters of La Plata County that brought together over 65 local leaders to identify and address the healthcare needs and challenges of the five-county region.
“It’s rare that a community comes together and works constructively to identify issues, establish priorities and create workable solutions,” said Greg Phillips who chaired LPHIC together with his wife, Jan Phillips. “SWCC was born from a thoughtful, collaborative process and is all about strengthening relationships between local medical and social care organizations to make sure people get the help they need.”
Community Connections recently hired three leaders to launch and manage SWCC. The team will oversee the Care Partner Network, train and support care coordinators and system navigators, and manage the buildout and performance of the Community Care Hub – a public directory and closed-loop referral system. Michael Kohn, Community Connections’ Senior Director of Health Information, is managing implementation of the Hub’s technology, and the Community Care Hub will be co-led by Senior Directors Doug McCarthy and Dayna Kranker.
Once fully operational, SWCC expects to engage 30+ organizations, serve 1,000+ residents through navigation and care coordination, and facilitate hundreds of referrals annually.
Anticipated to launch in spring 2026, SWCC is now in an active development phase. A key early priority is engaging regional health and community service providers to join the Care Partner Network – a collaborative system designed to close service gaps, strengthen coordination, and reduce duplication across sectors. Initial efforts will focus on connecting community partners who serve Medicaid beneficiaries with disabilities, ensuring they have streamlined pathways to support and resources.
Seed funding and foundational support from the Colorado Office of eHealth Innovation, NextFifty Foundation, Methodist Thrift Shop, the League of Women Voters of La Plata County, and the Boettcher Foundation are helping launch this next phase of collaboration.
Organizations or community partners interested in learning more or participating in the Southwest Colorado Cares network are encouraged to contact connect@swcoloradocares.org, or to call 970-385-3483.