Mesa County Public Health presents Grand Valley Connects, a locally funded resource-navigation program

Xavier Cragun, executive director of public health for Mesa County, and Michelle Trujillo, health promotion division director, told the Grand Junction City Council on Sept. 18 that Grand Valley Connects is an “enhanced resource navigation” program that helps residents with multiple or complex needs get connected to services.

The program’s staff said the service differs from a typical referral line by helping residents set appointments, complete paperwork and obtain required documents; staff also follow up at 30, 60 and 90 days to confirm connections are working. “We actually take steps to help them get connected to those resources,” Trujillo said.

Grand Valley Connects grew out of the community health needs assessment completed in 2021, presenters said. Cragun and Trujillo told council the program serves people who cannot successfully use a standard referral phone line — for…