Delta County Leads the Way in Strengthening Families

Delta County leaders praise the ReachWell app as a game-changer for overcoming barriers to essential services, revolutionizing real-time communication beyond emergency alerts, and ensuring no resident is left behind.

In the heart of Colorado’s Western Slope, Delta County is doing more than preserving its landscapes—it’s leading a groundbreaking initiative to support the next generation through resilience, equity, and inclusive communication technologies. Delta County is setting a powerful precedent by becoming the first community to integrate human services and emergency management on the ReachWell® platform. This strategic move strengthens family support, enhances community resilience and ensures no family is left behind.

Through its partnership with ReachWell, Delta County has addressed communication barriers such as language differences, changing phone numbers, and privacy concerns. ReachWell’s multilingual communication tools enable every resident to access vital resources, regardless of their circumstances. Delta County stands out as the first to integrate both human services and emergency management into a platform that supports real-time communication across more than 130 languages.

In a statement, Delta County announced its excitement as the first Human Services department in the state to launch ReachWell-based notifications for critical services. Delta County Human Services Director Anne Gallegos said, “Human Services provides critical resources to residents across Delta County, many of whom don’t use social media, don’t have a consistent phone number, and don’t speak or read English as their primary language. The ReachWell app, with its accessibility features, built-in resource library, links, and automatic translation, will allow Human Services to directly communicate critical updates about services and resources to our citizens, which we hope will help meet their needs faster.”

Gallegos also highlighted the collaboration’s impact, noting that the integration allows them to "reach families where they are, ensuring they receive critical information in real time—whether it’s about services or safety," and emphasized the department’s commitment to improving communication with every resident.

The Game-Changing Impact of ReachWell for Public Information Officers in Human Services and Emergency Management

Effective communication in human services is about more than delivering updates—it’s about connecting families with the resources they need, particularly in underserved communities. Delta County’s adoption of ReachWell provides Public Information Officers (PIOs) in both human services and emergency management with tools to close communication gaps, ensuring families have access to essential services and information.

Kris Stewart, Delta County Emergency Manager, explained, “We’ve seen firsthand the barriers families face when it comes to receiving essential services. With ReachWell, we can ensure no one is left behind,” as the platform ensures that even the hardest-to-reach families can access important resources and alerts.

Multilingual and Accessible Tools: Closing the Communication Gap

For PIOs in human services, inclusive communication is essential. Families need updates they can easily understand and act on. ReachWell’s platform, supporting communication in over 130 languages, ensures that every family, regardless of language, receives crucial information.

This feature allows PIOs to better reach diverse communities, whether it’s sharing information about housing assistance, mental health services, or economic support programs. Communication via text, voice, and app notifications enables families to access information in a format that suits their needs. The multi-channel approach guarantees that even families with limited technology skills are reached.

Lindsay Mitchell, Delta County Public Information Officer, highlighted the platform’s game-changing potential, stating, “This app will revolutionize how we keep our community informed. For the first time, we have a real-time platform to share social and community information beyond just emergency alerts. It’s a game-changer for keeping everyone in the loop about what’s happening in Delta County.”

The ability to provide real-time updates during emergencies is crucial for emergency management teams. ReachWell equips emergency services with the tools to quickly and clearly communicate vital information. This is especially important for families in high-stress situations who may not have access to traditional media.

“During emergencies, it’s crucial that families get accurate information quickly,” said Kris Stewart, reinforcing the importance of real-time alerts and ReachWell's ability to reach everyone.

With the integration of emergency management and human services, both agencies can seamlessly coordinate communication efforts, ensuring families receive both crisis alerts and long-term recovery resources, such as food assistance, shelter, and mental health support. Stewart added that leveraging their human services network allows Delta County to "ensure families receive immediate help in a crisis and ongoing support for long-term recovery," ultimately strengthening community resilience.

Building an Equitable Ecosystem in Delta County

This initiative is part of a broader effort to create an equitable ecosystem across Delta County, including Delta, Cedaredge, Hotchkiss, Paonia, Orchard City, and Crawford. The diverse population of the region faces unique challenges that underscore the need for equitable communication. According to U.S. Census Bureau data, Delta County has:

Over 15% of residents living below the poverty line.
Approximately 7% of the population with a disability.
More than 8% of residents speaking a language other than English at home.

Additionally, the Delta County 911 center’s service area extends beyond the physical boundaries of Delta County and includes the rural and isolated areas of Western Gunnison County in the Town of Somerset and residents along County Road 265, County Road 12 and McClure Pass; as well as rural eastern Montrose County south of Crawford to the North Rim of the Black Canyon National Park, a popular tourist destination. Delta County 911 and Emergency Management are responsible for emergency alerts to this entire service area and these statistics highlight the critical need for multilingual communication tools and inclusive platforms like ReachWell. By adopting ReachWell, Delta County ensures that no family is left behind, and every resident can access emergency and social service updates, regardless of language or socioeconomic status.

Why Equitable Communication in Human Services Matters

The American Public Human Services Association (APHSA) has long advocated for equitable communication as essential to improving outcomes for individuals and families. Ensuring that every family—especially those from underserved and marginalized populations—has access to the information they need is crucial for navigating services such as housing, healthcare, and emergency resources. However, language differences, socioeconomic disparities, and technological limitations often prevent families from accessing these critical services. APHSA emphasizes the need for data-driven communication strategies and multilingual tools to overcome these challenges. Delta County’s adoption of ReachWell aligns with this strategy, ensuring that no one is left behind.

Kris Stewart, Delta County Emergency Manager, stated, “Delta County is committed to ensuring all citizens and visitors to our county receive emergency alerts when minutes matter most so everyone can take steps to protect their family in an emergency.” He noted how ReachWell ensures alerts are available in languages beyond English and Spanish and reaches residents who may not have a consistent phone number or need accessible features like alerts read aloud.

Additionally, the CU Inclusive Language and Access in Emergency Alerts Report revealed that over 500,000 people in Colorado have hearing or visual disabilities, and 250,000 people speak a language other than English. These populations are often the last to receive life-saving information during emergencies due to language and accessibility barriers. By incorporating multilingual emergency alerts through ReachWell, Delta County directly addresses these disparities, ensuring that all families—regardless of their language or ability—receive the information they need to stay safe and informed.

Unlock the Power of Data-Driven Communication

As a Public Information Officer, human services director, or emergency manager, you recognize the critical role data plays in effectively serving your community. That is why ReachWell is partnering with Kimberly Davis, Data Dissemination Specialist from the U.S. Census Bureau, for a free webinar designed to enhance your data-driven communication strategies using Census data.

Webinar: Monday, October 21

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

The Census 101: The Other Nine Years webinar training will provide valuable insights into the most widely used statistical data on disability, language spoken, and demographic trends that influence communication and planning. Participants will learn how to utilize tools like the American Community Survey and resources from the Census Academy. Tailored for leaders in human services and emergency management, this hands-on training will equip you with the skills to apply real-world data to improve your communication systems on and off the ReachWell platform.

Register HERE to secure your spot to discover how you can transform your community’s communication infrastructure and insights from the U.S. Census Bureau. Learn what Delta County already knows - how ReachWell can help you transform your inclusive communications strategy.

Transform Your Public Outreach with ReachWell’s Inclusive Tools

Are you ready to see how ReachWell can revolutionize communication for your community? Schedule a demo today to learn how your organization can leverage this platform to build a resilient, inclusive communication system that empowers every family, regardless of language or barriers.

Don’t wait—join the growing number of communities using ReachWell to transform their communication strategies. For more information on how Delta County is leading the way, check out the full story HERE.

The Path Forward

Delta County's integration of human services and emergency management through the ReachWell platform marks a pivotal step toward creating an equitable and resilient community. By addressing communication barriers and providing multilingual support, ReachWell ensures that every family—regardless of language, socioeconomic status, or technological ability—can access vital resources and information.

This collaboration between local leaders and ReachWell underscores a commitment to inclusivity, ensuring that no family is left behind during times of crisis or need. With real-time alerts and comprehensive support, Delta County sets a standard for effective communication that strengthens families and enhances community resilience.

As we move forward, we invite Public Information Officers and community leaders to embrace this transformative opportunity. Join us in our upcoming webinar to learn how data-driven strategies can enhance communication efforts and empower families to thrive. Together, we can build a future where every resident has the information they need to stay safe, informed, and supported.