Kids First Health Care is celebrating 40 years of service in Adams County, CO this fall. Established in 1978, Kids First opened Colorado’s first school-based health center (SBHC) with the belief that all children deserve access to high-quality, affordable health care, regardless of their ability to pay for services. A 40th Anniversary Celebration was held on Wednesday, November 7, 2018 at 5 pm at the Yellow Rose Event Center. Thanks to everyone who joined us for the celebration!
Over the past 40 years, more than 67,000 young lives have improved as a result of Kids First’s exceptional, wraparound services. With eight SBHCs located in four Adams County communities, Kids First serves approximately 4,000 children and youth, ages 0-21, from across the Denver metro area each year. Kids First also provides school nursing services for two Adams County school districts and offers assistance with insurance enrollment and other resources.
With a long history in Commerce City, Kids First has recently expanded to other parts of Adams County. In August 2017, Kids First opened a new SBHC in Thornton High School in partnership with Adams 12 Five Star Schools. This past August, Kids First partnered with School District 27J to open its eighth location in Brighton High School.
Conveniently located on school grounds, SBHCs offer a full range of age-appropriate health care services for children and teens, including annual physicals (which can be used for sports physicals), immunizations, sick and injury care, management of chronic conditions, medical screenings, preventive dental care, mental health counseling, and health education.
At the 40th Anniversary Celebration, Kids First honored the Rose Community Foundation with the 2018 Betty Pepin Child Health Recognition Award in memory of former Executive Director, Ms. Betty Pepin. The Rose Community Foundation works to enhance the quality of life of the Greater Denver community through its leadership, resources, traditions and values. Children’s Hospital Colorado generously sponsored the event.
Please click this link to see more photos of the 40th Anniversary Celebration.
About Kids First Health Care: Kids First Health Care is a registered 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the health and well-being of infants, children and youth. Since 1978, Kids First has fulfilled this mission by providing high-quality, accessible primary health care services and school nursing services to the children and youth of Adams County and beyond. For more information, contact Maria Zubia, Director of Community Outreach, at mdzubia@adams14.org.