The Veterans Voice

2nd Monday with Kirsten Belaire Episode 5: Trauma, Fight, Flight, Freeze or Fawn

Trauma and the Fight or Flight response.  Less commonly known are the Freeze for Fawn responses.  Kirsten explains...

Making the Case for Hiring Veterans

We’re making the case for hiring veterans with a lift from Pikes Peak Work Force Center; Mt. Carmel’s Director of Transition and Employment; veteran owned Delta Solutions and Strategies and a Navy veteran with a business superpower. 
 
 
The Veterans Voice Project presented by USAA is an Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center service.  Veterans Voice Colorado Springs is produced in the OPTUM Podcast Studio, distributed via the Medicare Mentors Veterans Voice Podcast Channel, powered by Technology Partner Colorado Computer Support, and made possible in part by Supporting Partner, The WireNut Home Services. 
 
 
 

New Executive Actions Aimed at Creating More Opportunities for Milspouses

New Executive Actions Aimed at Creating More Opportunities for Milspouses
By Cindy Centofanti for the Veterans Voice News Service
In this podcast, Veterans Voice host, Cindy Centofanti, talks with Sue Hoppin, National Military Spouse Network president and founder, about new executive actions created to improve employment opportunities for military spouses. 
READ THE WHITE HOUSE FACT SHEET
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE NATIONAL MILITARY SPOUSE NETWORK
 
 
<->  Originally published in The Front  <->
The Front is published in the Colorado Springs Business Journal weekly on Thursdays 
 
A service of Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center, The Veterans Voice Project and the Veterans Voice News Service in partnership with the Colorado Springs Business Journal
 
 
 

Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo Benefits the Military Community

The 2023 Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo is ON and from the very beginning has donated a part of its proceeds to support our military!  
GET TICKETS HERE
 
 
Special thanks to Army Special Forces veteran and rodeo board member, Ron Fitch, for joining the Veterans Voice for this podcast! 
 
 
The Veterans Voice Project presented by USAA is an Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center service.  Veterans Voice Colorado Springs is produced in the OPTUM Podcast Studio, distributed via the Medicare Mentors Veterans Voice Podcast Channel, powered by Technology Partner Colorado Computer Support, and made possible in part by Supporting Partner, The WireNut Home Services. 
 
 
 
 

Cybersecurity Heads Up Episode 9: The NSA Guide to Keeping Your Home Network Secure

Special guest Mile High Cyber's Terry Bradley, has the NSA's long list of best practices for keeping your home network secure.  Stay safe and cyber-secure.  Listen to Terry's Tips then download the entire guide below.  It's FREE and the tips are easy to implement!
 
DOWNLOAD NSA's GUIDE TO PROTECTING YOUR HOME NETWORK
 
 
Contact Terry Bradley and Mile High CyberD:  719-310-5454E:  terry.bradley@milehighcyber.com
 
DOWNLOAD NSA's GUIDE TO PROTECTING YOUR HOME NETWORK
 
 
The bi-weekly Cybersecurity Heads Up is a service ofColorado Computer Support,exclusive Veterans Voice Technology Partner
REQUEST CCS SERVICES
 
 
TUESDAY TECH TIPS AND CYBER SATURDAYS ON YOUTUBE
 
 
FOLLOW COLORADO COMPUTER SUPPORT ON LINKEDIN
 
 
LIKE AND FOLLOW COLORADO COMPUTER SUPPORT
 
 
The Veterans Voice Project presented by USAA is an Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center service.  Veterans Voice Colorado Springs is produced in the OPTUM Podcast Studio, distributed via the Medicare Mentors Veterans Voice Podcast Channel, powered by Technology Partner Colorado Computer Support, and made possible in part by Supporting Partner, The WireNut Home Services. 
 
 
 

The VBOC Podcast Episode 2: Is a Franchise Right for You?

Career ownership coach and VBOC partner, Lisa Gustafson, discusses franchise ownership as an option after service.
 
 
 
CONNECT WITH KIA PALMER(719) 309-4705  |  Kpalmer@mtcarmelcenter.org
 
Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA
 
 
Lisa K. Gustafson
Career Ownership Coach  |  Meet the Coach
(719) 582-1919  |  lgustafson@esourcecoach.com
 
 
The Veterans Voice Project presented by USAA is an Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center service.  Veterans Voice Colorado Springs is produced in the OPTUM Podcast Studio, distributed via the Medicare Mentors Veterans Voice Podcast Channel, powered by Technology Partner Colorado Computer Support, and made possible in part by Supporting Partner, The WireNut Home Services. 
 
 
 

The Man Who Kept A Patriot’s Promise

Meet Senior Master Sergeant, USAF Ret., Israel "DT" Del Toro, Jr., the man who made, and kept, A Patriot's Promise.

Taking Action to Help Veterans, Save their Lives and Get Jobs for Milspouses

Action 22 is helping vets in rural Colorado; the White House is helping milspouses get jobs; the PACT Act has been set up to save veteran lives and a special message for Special Forces.
 
 
Action 22's, Making Action Happen Radio Program
Contact Brian McCain and Sara BlackhurstD:  719-369-7901E:  admin@action22.org
 
 
Dr. Silpa Krefft
The Time to Make Your PACT Act Claims is Now
Veterans enrolled in VA Easter Colorado Health Care System may request a screening by sending a message in MyHealtheVet or leaving a voicemail at 720-857-2511. For more information on how to apply for VA health care, including the documents needed to determine eligibility, visit VA.gov/health-care/how-to-apply. To apply today for benefits or learn more about PACT Act claims and care, call 1-800-MYVA411 or visit VA.gov/PACT.
Veterans can also contact their local VSO about starting a claim. Veterans who apply for PACT Act-related benefits before August 10, will have benefits backdated to August 10, 2022 when the bill was signed in to law.
REQUEST VSO SERVICES:  719-772-7000
 
 
Sue Luangkhot Hoppin
New Executive Actions Aimed at Creating More Opportunities for Milspouses
In this podcast, Veterans Voice host and Cohen Veterans Network's, Cindy Centofanti, talks with Sue Hoppin, National Military Spouse Network president and founder, about new executive actions created to improve employment opportunities for military spouses. 
READ THE WHITE HOUSE FACT SHEET
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE NATIONAL MILITARY SPOUSE NETWORK
 
 
Paul Watson  |  Cindy Centofanti  |  Dean Gobel
 
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SPECIAL FORCES FOUNDATION
O:  (719) 728-8816E:  info@specialforcesfoundation.org
 
 
The Veterans Voice Project presented by USAA is an Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center service.  Veterans Voice Colorado Springs is produced in the OPTUM Podcast Studio, distributed via the Medicare Mentors Veterans Voice Podcast Channel, powered by Technology Partner Colorado Computer Support, and made possible in part by Supporting Partner, The WireNut Home Services. 
 
 
 

Help Fuel Mt. Carmel’s Mission

A Note from Mt. Carmel Executive Director, Col. Bob McLaughlin, US Army, Ret.
"As we celebrate this patriotic time of year, my team and I would like to recognize all those who have served and sacrificed to safeguard the American way of life.  Mt. Carmel is a community dedicated to honoring military, veterans and their families by assisting with transition and employment and much more.  Please support our cause and remember to thank the veterans in your life.  God bless America!"  
 - Col. Bob McLaughlin, US Army, Ret.
 
PLEASE DONATE TODAY!
 
 
The Veterans Voice Project presented by USAA is an Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center service.  Veterans Voice Colorado Springs is produced in the OPTUM Podcast Studio, distributed via the Medicare Mentors Veterans Voice Podcast Channel, powered by Technology Partner Colorado Computer Support, and made possible in part by Supporting Partner, The WireNut Home Services. 
 
 
 

Garrison Commanders Fighting Veteran Food Insecurity

Two former Fort Carson garrison commanders joining to fight food insecurity among the military connected community, and, Air Force veteran, Sterling Campbell, has your guide VA home loans 
 
 
LEARN MORE ABOUT CARE AND SHARE
 
 
A FREE Class for Veterans on How to Navigate the VA Mortgage Lending System with Sterling Campbell Presented in part by Loan Depot
February 7, 2023 - 6:30-8:30 P.M.Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center530 Communication Cir., Colorado Springs  80905
 
 
The Veterans Voice Project presented by USAA is an Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center service.  Veterans Voice Colorado Springs is produced in the OPTUM Podcast Studio, distributed via the Medicare Mentors Veterans Voice Podcast Channel, powered by Technology Partner Colorado Computer Support, and made possible in part by Supporting Partner, The WireNut Home Services. 
 
 
 

The VBOC Podcast Episode 1: Veteran Friendly Business Counseling

If your next career isn't a career, it's starting a business instead, this is your podcast!  
 
 
 
CONNECT WITH KIA PALMER(719) 309-4705  |  Kpalmer@mtcarmelcenter.org
 
Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA
 
 
CONNECT WITH LAUREN SHAKES
 
 
THE NEXT CLASS STARTS JUNE 29
RESGISTER HERE
 
 
The Veterans Voice Project presented by USAA is an Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center service.  Veterans Voice Colorado Springs is produced in the OPTUM Podcast Studio, distributed via the Medicare Mentors Veterans Voice Podcast Channel, powered by Technology Partner Colorado Computer Support, and made possible in part by Supporting Partner, The WireNut Home Services. 
 
 
 
 

Cybersecurity Heads Up Episode 8: 5 Tips to Save Yourself Big PCS Headaches

Colorado Computer Support's Blake Schwank is a veteran of the US Army who PCSd a few times during his career.  He's got 5 tips to keep you cyber-safe during your PCS.  
A salute to Blake's father (pictured on the right), Jock Schwank, USAFA Class of 1960, a rescue helicopter pilot in Southeast Asia, Commanded the USAFA prep school for 3 years and for 12 years, Vice President of the Association Graduates, United States Air Force Academy.
 
 
The bi-weekly Cybersecurity Heads Up is a service of Colorado Computer Support,exclusive Veterans Voice Technology Partner
REQUEST CCS SERVICES
 
 
TUESDAY TECH TIPS AND CYBER SATURDAYS ON YOUTUBE
 
 
FOLLOW COLORADO COMPUTER SUPPORT ON LINKEDIN
 
 
LIKE AND FOLLOW COLORADO COMPUTER SUPPORT
 
 
The Veterans Voice Project presented by USAA is an Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center service.  Veterans Voice Colorado Springs is produced in the OPTUM Podcast Studio, distributed via the Medicare Mentors Veterans Voice Podcast Channel, powered by Technology Partner Colorado Computer Support, and made possible in part by Supporting Partner, The WireNut Home Services. 
 
 
 
 

Partnerships and Friendships Benefitting Veterans

In this edition of Veterans Voice, the Cohen Military Family Clinic is open and providing mental health treatment services.  ACI Learning is training and adding veterans to the workforce.  A Key Bank team spends a day helping at Mt. Carmel and Veterans Business Outreach Centers at Mt. Carmel is guiding veterans to success in business.
 
 
Cindy Centofanti (L)  |  Amy Moore (R)
The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Red Rock is located at at 1915 Aerotech Drive Ste 114, Colorado Springs, CO 80916. Please call us at 719-370-5141 or email us at CVNCS@red-rock.com with any questions or to get more information on how to schedule an in-person appointment.
LEARN MORE
 - Copy courtesy of Cohen Veterans Network
 
 
Kia Palmer (L)  |  Eric Phillips (R)
 
The Veterans Business Outreach Center Program is now open! Entrepreneurial service members, veterans, and their family members are encouraged to use VBOC resources to help develop their business concepts and ideas. 
Contact Kia Palmer at kpalmer@mtcarmelcenter.org for more information!
Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA
 
 
Chris Young, ACI Learning Centers
CONTACT CHRIS
E:  chris.young@acilearning.com D:  (719) 309-1421
 
ACI LEARNING FOR VETERANS
 
 
The Veterans Voice Project presented by USAA is an Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center service.  Veterans Voice Colorado Springs is produced in the OPTUM Podcast Studio, distributed via the Medicare Mentors Veterans Voice Podcast Channel, powered by Technology Partner Colorado Computer Support, and made possible in part by Supporting Partner, The WireNut Home Services. 
 
 
 

Bowling to Support Military and Their Families

Join in the fun at the First Annual Veterans Charity Bowling Tournament!  The event is a fundraiser for Mt. Carmel hosted by the AMF Bowling Center June 25, 2:00 - 5:00 p.m.!

I had a Choice to Stay, Die or Surrender

Frannie Rose lay bedridden for 17 years.  No one could tell her why or what was wrong.  Her fight gone and hope lost, the time had come for her to make a decision:  resign herself to never leaving her bed, kill herself, or, surrender to God.  Then came a voice.

2nd Monday with Kirsten Belaire Episode 4: Compassion, Curiosity and Defenses

In this episode, revisiting Episode 3 to focus more on compassion, curiosity loss and your defenses.

When a Veteran Needs Help, It’s Here

Housing for veterans between homes; services and aid for aging veterans; a layered approach to mental health treatment and hearing God's voice.

Cybersecurity Heads Up Episode 7: Waxing Nostalgic and Beware the Data Breachers

In this episode, Blake Schwank gets nostalgic for old cameras and rotary phones.  He also talks about being aware of the data-breachers and how to protect yourself and your business. 
 
The bi-weekly Cybersecurity Heads Up is a service of Colorado Computer Support,exclusive Veterans Voice Technology Partner
REQUEST CCS SERVICES
 
 
TUESDAY TECH TIPS AND CYBER SATURDAYS ON YOUTUBE
 
 
FOLLOW COLORADO COMPUTER SUPPORT ON LINKEDIN
 
 
LIKE AND FOLLOW COLORADO COMPUTER SUPPORT
 
 
The Veterans Voice Project presented by USAA is an Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center service.  Veterans Voice Colorado Springs is produced in the OPTUM Podcast Studio, distributed via the Medicare Mentors Veterans Voice Podcast Channel, powered by Technology Partner Colorado Computer Support, and made possible in part by Supporting Partner, The WireNut Home Services. 
 
 
 

Veterans Business Outreach Centers Fueling Veteran Business Opportunities

Veterans Voice is very proud to help welcome our newest team member and her champion in supporting veteran owned small business, Veterans Business Outreach Center's, Kia Palmer, and the SBA's Eric Phillips. Mt. Carmel is now perfectly positioned to help you get your business up, running, going and growing! Reach Kia at (719) 309-4705 for all the information you need to plug in and get going.
 
 
Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.
 
 
The Veterans Voice presented by USAA is a service of Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center, produced in the OPTUM Podcast Studio, distributed via the Medicare Mentors Veterans Voice Podcast Channel, powered by Technology Partner, Colorado Computer Support and made possible in part by Supporting Partner, The WireNut Home Services.
 
 
 

The PCS Season Survival Guide

Spring and Summer mark the start of PCS season. Permanent changes of station mean pulling up stakes, starting over in a new community and all that entails. Our experts and host have PCS'd nearly 50 times between them and they've got some helpful tips and advice to help you survive it all.
 
 
CLINT JORDAN AND NEXT MOVE MILITARY
 
 
LINDSEY MEEK AND ARMY COMMUNITY SERVICE
 
 
LAURA EARLY AND WISE ADVISE + ASSIST TEAM
 
Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center Transition and EmploymentMilSpouse Career AssistanceBlair Erato:  719-4758
 
 
The Veterans Voice presented by USAA is a service of Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center, produced in the OPTUM Podcast Studio, distributed via the Medicare Mentors Veterans Voice Podcast Channel, powered by Technology Partner, Colorado Computer Support and made possible in part by Supporting Partner, The WireNut Home Services.
    
 
 

Affected Family and Friends Episode 3: PJ Higgins

In the third and final installment in this series, Community Health Partnership's, PJ Higgins, discusses the help and resources available for those struggling with substance use disorder.   
 
 
"The biggest and most complex problems we face are possible to solve!"- P.J. Higgins, 2023
 
ABOUT PJ HIGGINS
PJ oversees the Coalition for Prevention, Addiction Education, and Recovery (CPAR), a collective impact organization dedicated to improving access to behavioral health treatment.  He is currently leading local efforts to organize around opioid settlement funding.
- Some content excerpted and adapted from online resources.
 
 
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
With Thanks to PJ HigginsCHP Opioid Prevention Project Manager
Harm Reduction Centers
Colorado Health Network
https://coloradohealthnetwork.org/prevention-health-education/access-point/
Love Alive
https://www.lovealivecos.org/
Recovery Community Organizations
Serenity Recovery Connection
https://srchope.org/
Embark
https://www.embarkpca.net/
Phoenix Multisport
https://thephoenix.org/
Treatment types and locators
American Society for Addiction Medicine
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK64088/
https://findtreatment.gov/
OWNPATH
https://ownpath.co/
Aunt Bertha
https://www.findhelp.org/
Treatment Payment Assistance
Raymond Roundtree Jr. Foundation
https://sosrrjrfoundation.org/
Colorado Medicaid
https://hcpf.colorado.gov/how-to-apply
Next Chapter
https://nextchapterco.org/
Veteran Specific Resources
Next Chapter
https://nextchapterco.org/
SAFE Project
https://www.safeproject.us/veterans/
Vet Centers
https://www.va.gov/directory/guide/state.asp?STATE=CO&v=1
Family Support Organizations
CRAFT Colorado
https://bha.colorado.gov/behavioral-health/CRAFT
Medication Assisted Treatment
Colorado Treatment Locator
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1naco-pLi0honGtdSd62m3XuQuGkdwKDF/view
Sober Living
Hazelbrook
https://hazelbrooksoberliving.com/
Embark
https://www.embarkpca.net/
Homeward Pikes Peak
https://homewardpp.org/
Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Resources
Main website: https://corxconsortium.org
Affected Families and Friends: https://corxconsortium.org/work-groups/affected-families-friends/
Affected Families and Friends Resource List: https://corxconsortium.org/wp-content/uploads/Affected-Families-and-Friends-Resource-Guide.pdf (will ask you to open a document. Click “ok.”)
Affected Families and Friends “Beyond the Numbers” videos: https://corxconsortium.org/projects/beyond-the-numbers-echoes-of-the-opioid-epidemic/
Additional Resources
National Institute of health
https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/naloxone
Shatterproof:
https://www.shatterproof.org
Mayo Clinic
https://mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/drug-addiction/symptoms-causes/syc-20365112
Veteran’s Administration:
https://mentalhealth.va.gov/substance-use/index.asp
Colorado Crisis Services
https://coloradocrisisservices.org
Colorado’s Good Samaritan Law
“The 911 Good Samaritan Law states that a person is immune from criminal prosecution for an offense when the person reports, in good faith, an emergency drug or alcohol overdose even to a law enforcement officer, to the 911 system, or to a medical provider. This same immunity applies to persons who remain at the scene of the event until a law enforcement officer or an emergency medical responder arrives, or if the person remains at the facilities of the medical provider until a law enforcement officer, emergency medical responder, or medical provider arrives. The immunity described above also extends to the person who suffered the emergency drug or alcohol overdose event.”
 
DOWNLOAD THE FULL AFFWG RESOURCE GUIDE
 
ABOUT THE AFFECTED FAMILIES AND FRIENDS PODCAST SERIES
The Affected Families and Friends Podcast is a three-part series on substance use disorder presented by the University of Colorado’s Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention, Affected Families and Friends Work Group and produced in the Veterans Voice studio located on the campus of Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
 
 
MEET CO-PRESENTERS SARAH WERNER AND TRACEY RITTER
Meet your moderators for this series, Sarah Werner (L), and Tracey Ritter (R). They are the co-chairs for the Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention’s work group called, “Affected Families and Friends.” 
The work group provides opportunities for friends and family to share hope, raise awareness and reduce the stigma associated with substance use disorder. Both have lost loved ones to substance use.  For Tracey, her son Evan.  For Sarah, her nephew Jonathan. 
Both have chosen to turn their pain into purpose. Sarah is on the board of the SAFE Project, which is an organization that aims to support action that will prevent fatal drug overdoses. Tracey is a Family Support Specialist with Advocates for Recovery, and has even lobbied with our Attorney General’s office for change in our state.
 
 
The Affected Families and Friends podcast series was produced in the Veterans Voice studio located on the campus of Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center in Colorado Springs, CO, in cooperation with the Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention, Affected Families and Friends Work Group, and the the team of Ms. Sarah Werner, Ms. Tracey Ritter and Ms. Hilary Bryant.
 
 
 

2023 Veteran Owned Small Business of the Year

A veteran business owner has received a well-earned accolade from a consortium of business support organizations and their leaders.  Model Citizen Coffee's Enrique Camacho stood out among 90 other nominees and has been named 2023 Veteran Owned Small Business off the Year.  Find out how this 30-year Army veteran got his start in business and why he won this prestigious recognition.  
 
VISIT AND SUPPORT MODEL CITIZEN COFFEE COMPANY
 
 
The Veterans Voice presented by USAA is a service of Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center, produced in the OPTUM Podcast Studio, distributed via the Medicare Mentors Veterans Voice Podcast Channel, powered by Technology Partner, Colorado Computer Support and made possible in part by Supporting Partner, The WireNut Home Services.
 
 

From Colorado Springs to Trinidad!

Mt. Carmel is serving veterans in Trinidad, CO; jobs, networking and a cold beer for veterans; award winning veterans hiring veterans and a VSO first:  meet Colorado’s Women Veterans Service Officer! 
Join us for Veterans Voice Sunday mornings at 7:30 on KRDO Newsradio 105.5 FM, 1240 AM and 92.5 FM.  The podcast drops Saturdays at 8:00 a.m. and is available at www.veteransvoice.us    
 
 
The Veterans Voice presented by USAA is a service of Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center, produced in the OPTUM Podcast Studio, distributed via the Medicare Mentors Veterans Voice Podcast Channel, powered by Technology Partner, Colorado Computer Support and made possible in part by Supporting Partner, The WireNut Home Services.
 
 
  

Affected Families and Friends Podcast Episode 2: Michael

At the time of this production, Michael was a Senior Master Sargent in the US Air Force on active duty and preparing for retirement after a 21 year career.  In this episode, he shares his journey through substance use disorder and offers insight in to how his family was affected.
Residing in northern Colorado, he is writing and recording music, and performing with his band, Vegas Valley Drive.  His music is a healing, creative outlet for him.  The song Brake Park Reverse, linked below, is very much influenced by the trials of his substance use.
 
 
- LISTEN -
VEGAS VALLEY DRIVE - BRAKE PARK REVERSE
MORE FROM VEGAS VALLEY DRIVE
 
 
SOME RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Safe Medication Use, Storage and Disposal     ▪ TakeMedsSeriously          • https://takemedsseriously.org/ 
Family Support     ▪ CRAFT Colorado          • https://bha.colorado.gov/behavioral-health/CRAFT      ▪ Serenity Recovery Connection          • https://srchope.org/      ▪ Al-Anon and Nar-Anon           • https://al-anon-co.org/             • https://www.nar-anon.org/find-a-meeting      ▪ Forward Together Colorado          • https://parents.forwardtogetherco.com/
Overdose Prevention     ▪ Bring Naloxone Home          • https://bringnaloxonehome.org/      ▪ Never Use Alone Hotline          • https://neverusealone.com/           • 1-800-484-3731     ▪ Canary—Prevent Overdose app          • https://apps.apple.com/us/app/canary-prevent-overdose/id1396426874 Colorado’s Good Samaritan Law
“The 911 Good Samaritan Law states that a person is immune from criminal prosecution for an offense when the person reports, in good faith, an emergency drug or alcohol overdose even to a law enforcement officer, to the 911 system, or to a medical provider. This same immunity applies to persons who remain at the scene of the event until a law enforcement officer or an emergency medical responder arrives, or if the person remains at the facilities of the medical provider until a law enforcement officer, emergency medical responder, or medical provider arrives. The immunity described above also extends to the person who suffered the emergency drug or alcohol overdose event.”
 
DOWNLOAD THE FULL AFFWG RESOURCE GUIDE
 
ABOUT THE AFFECTED FAMILIES AND FRIENDS PODCAST SERIES
The Affected Families and Friends Podcast is a three-part series on substance use disorder presented by the University of Colorado’s Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention, Affected Families and Friends Work Group and produced in the Veterans Voice studio located on the campus of Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
 
 
MEET SARAH WERNER AND TRACEY RITTER
Meet your moderators for this series, Sarah Werner (L), and Tracey Ritter (R). They are the co-chairs for the Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention’s work group called, “Affected Families and Friends.” 
The work group provides opportunities for friends and family to share hope, raise awareness and reduce the stigma associated with substance use disorder. Both have lost loved ones to substance use.  For Tracey, her son Evan.  For Sarah, her nephew Jonathan. 
Both have chosen to turn their pain into purpose. Sarah is on the board of the SAFE Project, which is an organization that aims to support action that will prevent fatal drug overdoses. Tracey is a Family Support Specialist with Advocates for Recovery, and has even lobbied with our Attorney General’s office for change in our state.
 
 
The Affected Families and Friends podcast series was produced in the Veterans Voice studio located on the campus of Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center in Colorado Springs, CO, in cooperation with the Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention, Affected Families and Friends Work Group, and the the team of Ms. Sarah Werner, Ms. Tracey Ritter and Ms. Hilary Bryant.