Adolescence is a time of remarkable opportunity. Between the onset of puberty and the mid-20s, young people discover, learn from, and adapt to the world around them. They forge a sense of who they are and who they aspire to be. They learn to make decisions, manage their emotions, create deeper interpersonal connections, and develop meaningful goals that shape their adult lives.

Because the adolescent brain is incredibly sensitive to environmental influences, experiences during this period are particularly formative and can have significant and lasting effects. This makes adolescence a key window for learning and discovery and offers a unique opportunity to mitigate the effects of earlier adversity.

When the programs, people, and systems that serve adolescents and their families are aligned to meet the developmental needs of this period, young people can fulfill the promise and potential of who they are and what they are meant to contribute to our world.

Guided by local youth and community voices, and informed by the science of adolescent development, we believe that young people will experience greater health and well-being if they:

• Develop a strong sense of belonging, identity, purpose, and agency
• Experience secure and supportive relationships with parents and caregivers
• Have equitable access to services, spaces, and systems that are youth-centered, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed

Annual funding opportunities are available in three focus areas to advance the health and well-being of Colorado’s young people. We believe that strategic investments in these focus areas have the power to yield a triple benefit: increased health and well-being for young people today, into adulthood, and for the next generation.

Funding opportunities are designed to be flexible, leverage local community assets, and support grantee partners as they work to improve conditions for young people and their families. Grant decisions will be made in alignment with our Guiding Principles .

To support young people in developing a strong sense of belonging, identity, purpose, and agency, we will fund organizations that create the conditions young people need to:

• Cultivate healthy, supportive relationships and social networks with peers, near-peers, and trusted adults
• Explore their values, interests, and goals
• Contribute in meaningful ways to others and their community
• Make good decisions and establish positive health behaviors (for example, manage stress in healthy ways, stay active, eat a nutritious diet, get an adequate amount of sleep, refrain from substance misuse, delay early sexual activity, and prevent STIs and unwanted pregnancy)

To support parents and caregivers in developing secure and supportive relationships with their adolescent child(ren), we will fund organizations that create the conditions parents and caregivers need to:

• Strengthen family bonds and cultivate healthy parent/caregiver-adolescent relationships
• Deepen knowledge of adolescent development and parenting strategies that support young people’s health and well-being
• Develop meaningful social connections with other parents, caregivers, and advocates
• Access concrete support, especially in times of need

To support communities in creating equitable access to services, spaces, and systems that are youth-centered, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed, we will fund organizations that create the conditions young people need to:

• Receive youth-centered physical and behavioral healthcare
• Experience safe, inclusive spaces designed to foster social connections and promote positive health outcomes
• Successfully transition into adulthood
• Experience coordinated systems of care — especially for those with complex needs who seek services across multiple systems — that are informed by young people and their families