Collaboration is Crucial

Community Collaboration

Our community collaboration initiative uses a collective impact framework to bring together nonprofits, schools, counselors, parents, and community members to tackle community-level issues. Each county chooses one to two priority areas tailored their own needs, and creates action teams to create strategies that address the root barriers of each issue area.

Youth Council on Mental Health

Youth Mental Health is the main priority for Team Up’s Community Collaboration Program across our region (Dolores County, Montezuma County, La Plata County, Archuleta County), and we are excited to involve youth in leadership and action in their communities. This is an opportunity for youth to be able to engage with other youth from across the region, understand more about mental health, and create positive change for themselves and their communities. The council will be composed of high school youth across southwest Colorado meeting twice a month to identify barriers to youth mental health, build leadership skills and set priorities to work on during the school year.

The YCMH is hiring for the following positions:

  • Position Overview

    A member (age 14 - 18) of the Youth Council on Mental Health (YCMH) will be an active participant in twice a month council meetings who attends trainings and events related to the council. Council members will identify and focus on youth-led initiatives in their communities to build awareness, reduce stigma, and promote positive youth mental health. They will continually grow and be a part of their communities to create lasting impact.

    Key Responsibilities

    • Attend and actively participate in bi-monthly council meetings, council events, and the August kick off event. 

    • Provide thoughtful input and ideas throughout their council term (September - May).

    • Work collaboratively with other council members.

    • Participate in provided trainings. 

    • Participate in once monthly lunch meetings (at your respective school).

    Position Expectations

    • Provide youth perspective and thoughtful feedback on council happenings, programming, and projects. 

    • Attend and actively engage in meetings, trainings, and council projects.

    • Commit to active participation throughout the full Youth Council Member term (August–May).  

    • Collaborate respectfully with other youth council members, adult supporters, and community partners. 

    • Communicate consistently, respond in a timely manner, and follow through on responsibilities. 

    • Participate in provided mental health-related learning opportunities

    • Actively create a welcoming, inclusive, and youth-centered environment

    Estimated Hours Per Month During Term - 7.5

    APPLY HERE

  • Position Description: In this paid opportunity, ($18/hour) a Youth Leader for the youth council will be a key leader in development and evolution of the council. They will serve as a mentor and guide for the youth involved in the council as well as youth in the community. The Leader(s), age(s) 17-21, will have a large role in shaping the youth council outcomes, goals, and structure, and supporting the first cohort of youth council members.


    Key Responsibilities

    Council Development Phase (May-August) 

    • Participate in strategic leadership meetings to shape the direction of the YCMH.

    • Review Council documents to provide recommendations, feedback, and youth lens. Some documents may be:

      • Operational and decision making structures 

      • Trainings to take place throughout the first term

      • Pre and post council surveys of youth participants

    • Contribute to the development of foundational council programming and resources.

    • Participation in trainings around mental health, leadership, facilitation, and/or other relevant topic areas

    • Support with Council recruitment and outreach across the 5 county region, attending community and youth events and programs as needed (requires reliable travel) 

    • Participate in Council applicant interview process through conducting group and individual interviews 

    • Support, plan, and facilitate onboarding, orientation and kickoff (August)


    Youth Leadership Term (September through May)

    • Support ongoing council operations through: 

      • Active facilitation of biweekly meetings (facilitation subject to change based on outcomes from the council development phase)

      • Agenda creation

      • Development of council charters

      • Participation in planning

    • Provide mentorship and guidance to youth council members

    • Coordinate relevant trainings for youth council members

    • Collaborate with committees and adult supporters to advance council initiatives


    Position Expectations

    • Provide a youth perspective and thoughtful feedback on council structure, programming, and decision-making processes. 

    • Attend and actively engage in leadership meetings, trainings, onboarding/council kickoff in August 

    • Commit to active participation throughout the full Youth Council term (May–May) 

    • Assist with recruitment, outreach, interviews, and onboarding of new council members across the 5-county region 

    • Serve as a positive role model, mentor, and supportive leader for fellow youth council members and youth in the community

    • Collaborate respectfully with youth, adult supporters, and community partners 

    • Communicate consistently, respond in a timely manner, and follow through on responsibilities 

    • Participate in leadership and mental health-related learning opportunities

    • Maintain a welcoming, inclusive, and youth-centered environment

    APPLY HERE

Across the region, each county has prioritized youth mental health. Individuals in our Action Teams work together to develop strategies to reduce community-identified barriers to success.

La Plata County

Montezuma County

Dolores County

Archuleta County

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No problem is unsolvable.

Have an idea too big to tackle on your own? Interested in joining an Action Team?

Reach out to connect.