Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Southwest Colorado Cares (SWCC) is a regional Community Care Hub that connects people, organizations, and resources across Archuleta, Dolores, La Plata, Montezuma, and San Juan counties. Its goal is to make it easier for residents to find the services and support they need.

Many people struggle to find available resources and navigate complex service systems, especially in rural communities. SWCC was created to improve resource awareness, care coordination, and referrals so residents can get connected to help more efficiently.

Anyone living or working in Southwest Colorado can access the online resource directory and connect with available services and community supports.

SWCC connects people with local resources that support health and wellbeing, including food assistance, housing support, transportation, healthcare and mental health services, aging and disability resources, and more.

You can search the online resource directory, use the AI-assisted search tool, or request help through a referral form on the SWCC website (coming soon).

Yes. SWCC offers care navigation to help individuals identify needs, connect with resources, and follow through on referrals. The goal is to reduce the number of times people have to explain their situation as they move between services.

Yes. SWCC’s online resource directory and referral services are available at no cost to community members.

Yes. SWCC uses secure, HIPAA-compliant technology and includes consent management tools to help ensure information is shared appropriately and securely.

SWCC serves people throughout Archuleta, Dolores, La Plata, Montezuma, and San Juan counties.

SWCC is brought to you by Community Connections, Inc., a nonprofit serving southwest Colorado for 40 years and dedicated to connecting people with disabilities, developmental delays, and complex needs to the resources they choose to lead healthy and fulfilling lives.

SWCC is guided by an Advisory Council made up of care partners and community leaders who are committed to creating a responsive, trusted, and sustainable Community Care Hub to address the social drivers of health in our region.

The Care Partner Network is a collaborative of community organizations, service providers, and government agencies working together to improve referrals, care coordination, and access to resources to address the social drivers of health across Southwest Colorado.

Joining SWCC can help your organization increase its visibility, receive higher-quality referrals, strengthen community partnerships, reduce duplication of effort, and better serve your clients.

Any organization that supports the health and wellbeing of Southwest Colorado residents may participate, including nonprofits, local governments, healthcare and other service providers, schools, faith communities, and social service agencies.

All care partners agree to observe the shared values and core commitments outlined in the SWCC Community Charter, as appropriate to the organization’s level of participation.

SWCC is being launched with dedicated funding from the Colorado Office of eHealth Innovation and is being offered free of charge to participating organizations.

A closed-loop referral allows the referring organization to know whether a referral was accepted, completed, or if additional action is needed. This reduces “blind handoffs” and improves outcomes. Tracking referrals also allows the care partner network to identify gaps in services that are not being met by existing resources and make plans to address them.

No. Organizations can participate at different levels. Some may choose to use electronic referrals through our software platform, Channels360®, while others may start with traditional referrals (via phone, fax, or email) or only participate in the resource directory.

Channels360® from Ready Computing is a HIPAA-compliant referral and care coordination platform. It supports referrals, care coordination, consent management, and outcome tracking for care partners that choose to participate in electronic referrals through SWCC.

SWCC simplifies referral processes, reduces follow-up calls, provides a shared resource directory, supports navigation services, and makes it easier to track referral outcomes. Staff can easily find and connect to local and regional resources to support clients.

SWCC helps ensure that referrals reach the right provider, improves follow-up, reduces service fragmentation, and connects clients to additional care navigation and coordination support.

SWCC will generate shared metrics and outcome data that can help organizations demonstrate impact, identify needs, and support funding opportunities.

Some training and onboarding may be required, depending on your level of participation, but the goal is to create long-term efficiencies that save staff time and improve services and reputation.

SWCC is being built by local organizations for local organizations, incorporates lessons learned from past efforts, includes dedicated staffing and technology, and is designed as long-term regional infrastructure that will connect to the Colorado Social Health Information Exchange (CoSHIE).

Early partners will have the opportunity to help shape workflows, data-sharing practices, and the future direction of the Community Care Hub for our region. Your voice can help build a system that works for your staff and clients.

Email the SWCC team or call 970-385-3483 to learn more about participation options in Dolores, La Plata, Montezuma, and San Juan counties.

Care partners in Archuleta County are being connected through an initiative of the Archuleta County Public Health Department. For more information, contact Ashley Wilson at 970-264-8300.