August 2021
A Note from our President and CEO, Dr. Kiara Kuenzler
By the end of July, at least 70% of American adults had received at least one shot of the COVID vaccine. This is a monumental step toward protecting one another and slowing the spread of the virus. However, as the Delta variant surges, our focus on renewed public health efforts and safety precautions is once again front and center. After a summer where many of us were able to reconnect with friends, family and co-workers in meaningful and necessary ways, we find ourselves struggling again with that now familiar fear and uncertainty of what is to come.  
 
What differentiates this moment from the start of the pandemic almost a year and a half ago is that we have more tools and more information about how we can successfully navigate this pandemic, including our belief and trust in the resilience of humans and of communities.

I know for myself that a strong sense of connection -- to my family, my friends, and my community -- was a motivating factor that helped me through the tough days, and I foresee the need to make sure these connections are nurtured, valued, and bolstered many times before we are finally “in the clear” with COVID.  
 
As inherently social creatures, the level of connection we share with others is crucial to our mental, physical, and spiritual wellbeing. Whatever path lies ahead during the course of this pandemic, remember to reach out to friends and family, strengthen those connections, and perhaps even create new ones that will help you ride out whatever waves may come in the future.  
 
Give yourself and others grace and patience over the next few months and remember to stop, breathe, and look back at the path to see how far you’ve already come. 
Back to School Tips to Start Off a Healthy Year  
Whether online, in person, or a combination of both, the start of a new school year can be an exciting and intimidating time for your student. As a parent, it’s essential to be there to help your child work through their feelings around school starting. Here are three ways you can help make the back-to-school transition a smooth one. 
 
Check-in with your student ahead of time: As the summer is winding down, start talking to your child about school in small doses. Find out what they’re excited about and what they’re nervous about so you can understand what your child is feeling and help them work through it. 
 
Strive to create a consistent schedule: With all of the changes going on in your child’s external environment, creating a stable schedule in their home environment can give them comfort through the ups and downs. Develop and maintain a clear, consistent routine at home to decrease anxiety about transitions. 
 
Get your child the mental health support they need: If you’re regularly checking in with your child, and you feel concerned that they may be dealing with a mental health issue like depression or anxiety, help is available. It’s important to know when to seek help from a counselor who can give you the tools to help your child feel better. 
 
To read the full article and get more info on how to help your child get ready for the new school year, click here.  
Our Annual Helping Kids Thrive Conference is Coming Soon!  
Helping Kids Thrive Parent Conference is a free annual event providing hands-on practical information for parents, caregivers, and guardians to help children of all ages grow in positive ways.  
 
Helping Kids Thrive is a powerful way for parents to learn the tools, tips, and techniques to help with the challenges of raising kids in an ever-changing world and features classes like Empowering Successful Kids, Helping Your Child Tame Their Anxious Mind, and Parenting in a Digital World. 
 
We know parenting is a tough job and we are here to support you – no matter your children’s ages – toddlers to teens. 
Be the first to know when registration is live! Click here to sign up.
Thank You to Our Corporate Partners! 
A big THANK YOU to our corporate partners who helped make our summer concert event, Soirée at Sunset, a success. We greatly appreciate your support and loyalty to Jefferson Center!  





Presenting Sponsors:
Gold Sponsors
Jefferson Center is Hiring! Join Our Team! 
Do you want to be part of a passionate team, committed to helping people improve their health and their happiness? Then consider a career at Jefferson Center!  
 
We offer a fun, flexible work environment where the mental health and wellbeing of our employees is just as important as that of our clients. In addition of supporting our mission of creating a world where mental health is accessible to all, Jefferson Center employees get to enjoy the benefits of 401k matching, competitive salaries, wellness programs, generous paid time off, and tuition reimbursement.  
 
To find your new path today, check out our open positions by visiting our Careers page.  
Help Prevent Suicide by Creating Safe Spaces at Home
Many suicide attempts happen with very little planning during a short-term crisis. Reducing availability of lethal means before a person is having thoughts of suicide or in crisis can save lives and make your home a safer place to be.
 
Thanks to a generous grant donation, Jefferson Center is providing FREE safety devices like gun locks and medication locks while supplies last. Visit one of these locations to pick one up today.  
Online Bill Pay is Now Available for Jefferson Center Clients 
Now you can easily pay online for your Jefferson Center Services through our secure payment portal. Simply click the link, and provide your payment and billing information. Credit and debit are accepted. Paying your bill online can save you time, stamps and frustration. Visit our For Clients page to access the payment portal on our website. Give it a try today!
Check Out Our Upcoming Classes 
QPR Online Training
Wednesday, September 8,
10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. 
 
If someone you know was considering suicide, would you recognize the warning signs and know how to help? Colorado is consistently ranked as one of the top ten states for suicide rates. Learn what you can do to help when someone is in a crisis, and gain the confidence to take action and save a life. Register here.
Virtual Mental Health First Aid 
Tuesday, August 31,
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 
 
Do you want to find ways to better identify when someone is struggling and how to get help? Become certified in Mental Health First Aid and learn skills, resources and knowledge to help an individual in crisis connect with appropriate professional, peer, social, and self-help care! Register here.