Colorado State Archives

Executive Orders from the Administration of Governor Bill Owens 1999-2005

DENVER – Colorado Gov. Bill Owens today announced a new program to improve health care services for rural Coloradans.

SHARE (Sharing Healthcare Accomplishments in Rural Environments) is a joint effort of the Governor's Office and the Colorado Rural Health Center (CRHC), the state's office of rural health. The program highlights the unique and innovative ways that rural communities work to address health care issues and needs. The program is part of Governor Owens' Rural Health Care Initiative, which last year provided more than $9 million in funding to rural communities to help fund various health care projects.

CRHC was awarded a $50,000 grant from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs to work on the SHARE project. Rural health success stories are being collected and compiled into a searchable online database located on CRHC's website and linked to the Governor's website.

"In many cases rural communities have found creative ways to improve the delivery of health care to their residents, often without having to rely on new funding. SHARE is a way for rural communities to learn from each other about programs that are feasible and effective," said Governor Bill Owens.

A portion of the grant monies will help rural community representatives to visit successful health care projects to determine whether they could be replicated or adapted to their local needs.

"Rural communities in Colorado have accomplished a wealth of successful health care projects and we are pleased that Gov. Owens is taking a lead in recognizing the important role that rural health plays in enhancing the lives of the state's citizens," said Denise Denton, executive director of CRHC.

"We've already collected a variety of success stories that have been posted in the SHARE database," Denton said. "They range from Yuma to Montezuma counties and include primary care, oral health, mental health, and substance abuse services." CRHC will update these stories and add additional success stories on an ongoing basis.

To learn what information is required to submit a "success" story for SHARE, contact Monica Everhart at CRHC, 303-831-7493 or 1-800-851-6732, or via email.

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