The Gunnison Valley Cares Coalition met March 24 at Gunnison City Hall with 20 members present. Chaired by Coleen Ogden and facilitated by Jocie Rojas, the meeting focused on veteran caregiver programs, aging and senior services, and the future of the Nedley Depression Recovery program. The coalition also heard updates on law enforcement, schools, the food pantry, and several upcoming community events.
Veteran Caregiver Program: Paid Support With No Waitlist
The coalition heard a presentation on the Veteran-Directed Home and Community Based Services program, which provides in-home care support for eligible veterans. The program allows veterans to hire their own caregivers, including family members, and gives them a flexible budget to manage services based on their needs. Annual care budgets range from approximately $40,000 to $100,000 per veteran depending on assessed need.
There is currently no waitlist. Veterans must be enrolled in VA healthcare to qualify.
The coalition also learned about an upcoming Veteran Resource Conference on Wednesday, April 22, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the R6 Regional Council office at 82 East 600 North in Richfield. Topics include VA healthcare, the caregiver program, toxic exposures, and the Veterans National Cemetery in Cedar City. Lunch will be provided. Registration is available by calling 435-893-0736 or 435-893-0731.
Aging and Caregiver Services: Keeping People Home
Representatives from the R6 Regional Council’s Area Agency on Aging presented an overview of programs designed to help individuals remain in their own homes rather than moving to institutional care. Services fall into two categories: long-term support through the Aging Waiver and Alternatives programs, and short-term caregiver support lasting six to twelve months based on individual needs.
Available services may include in-home care, housekeeping, medical alert devices, home-delivered meals, and other home supports. The agency also runs a Senior Volunteer Program for adults 55 and older and is launching a new quarterly caregiver support group with lunch provided.
The first caregiver support group session is Tuesday, April 14, from noon to 4:00 p.m. at the R6 Regional Council office in Richfield. On-site care will be provided for loved ones if caregivers need to bring them along. RSVP to Tiffany Greenhalgh at 435-893-0731 or tiffanyg@r6.utah.gov.
Nedley Program: Rebranding for Better Reach
The coalition discussed the Nedley Depression Recovery program, an eight-week course (approximately two hours per week) that addresses root causes of depression through nutrition, lifestyle changes, and toxicity reduction. Members expressed strong support for rebranding the program as a “holistic health” initiative to reduce stigma and increase participation.
Key barriers came up during the conversation: the time commitment, the stigma still attached to anything labeled “depression,” and a lack of incentives for participation. Opportunities discussed included partnering with employers, schools, and local agencies, offering incentives for completion, and providing virtual attendance options.
The coalition recommended avoiding a December start and instead targeting fall or early-year sessions. Next steps include outreach to potential partners, a community interest survey, and a social media and email campaign with a sign-up link.
Law Enforcement Flags Mental Health Call Increase
Law enforcement reported a significant increase in mental health-related calls. Officers highlighted the need to better connect with local resources so they can direct individuals to appropriate support during and after crisis situations. The coalition discussed strengthening the link between law enforcement and community service providers.
Schools: New Registration System and Career Exploration
Schools are implementing a new PowerSchool registration system that encourages interest-based class selection and expands career exploration options, including virtual reality experiences. A Hope Squad commercial is also in the works.
Food Pantry: Demand Stays High, Seniors Growing Share
Food pantry demand remains elevated, with 60 to 70 families served per distribution. Volunteers reported growing need among seniors in particular. Nobody is turned away.
Gunnison food pantry distributions are held the first Thursday of each month from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. and the third Tuesday from 11:00 a.m. to noon. Volunteers are needed.
Hospital Updates
Gunnison Valley Hospital reported adjusted OB services with Kayla Olson now serving as the primary provider. Monthly visiting physicians will handle surgical needs. The hospital also reminded coalition members of an April 13 scholarship deadline open to students from Gunnison, North Sevier, and Manti.
Workforce Services
Utah Workforce Services, which supports employment across five counties, offers free job posting assistance for local employers. Representatives plan to return for a full presentation at a future coalition meeting.
Community Events Coming Up
The Gunnison Lions Club and GVHS Swim Team are hosting an Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 4, at 10:00 a.m. at Gunnison Park, 258 North Main. The event is open to children ages 0 to 12.
The Friends of the Sanpete County Children’s Justice Center will host a fundraiser dinner and auction on Thursday, April 16, at the Sanpete Event Center, 150 East 100 South in Ephraim. The event includes a silent auction and online auction running through the end of April. April is Child Abuse Awareness Month, and the CJC provides a safe, coordinated response for children who have experienced abuse. RSVP information is available through the Friends of the Sanpete CJC.
Gunnison is also moving forward with a major park project, with approximately $900,000 in funding secured. The plan includes court replacement and potential playground upgrades, with a fall 2026 groundbreaking target and spring 2027 construction.
Why It Matters
This meeting brought two resource presentations that don’t usually get airtime in Sanpete County: the VA’s Veteran-Directed Home and Community Based Services program and the R6 Regional Council’s aging and caregiver support programs. Both are available to local residents right now, and both have capacity. The veteran caregiver program has no waitlist and offers budgets substantial enough to meaningfully support a veteran’s ability to stay home. The aging services programs fill a similar role for seniors and adults at risk of institutionalization. For families trying to keep a loved one at home, these are worth knowing about.
The law enforcement update is worth flagging. When officers report a significant increase in mental health-related calls, that is both a signal about community need and a prompt for coalition members to make sure the pipeline between crisis response and community resources is as clear as it can be.
The food pantry numbers tell the same story they have been telling for months: demand is high and not dropping. The growing share of seniors in that demand is a shift worth watching.
The Nedley rebranding conversation is a practical acknowledgment that the best program in the world does nothing if people won’t sign up. Renaming it, partnering with employers, and offering virtual options are all moves designed to meet people where they actually are rather than where organizers wish they were.
What Comes Next
The Veteran Resource Conference is Wednesday, April 22, in Richfield. Register by calling 435-893-0736 or 435-893-0731.
The R6 Regional Council’s first caregiver support group meets Tuesday, April 14, in Richfield. RSVP to Tiffany Greenhalgh at 435-893-0731 or tiffanyg@r6.utah.gov.
The Children’s Justice Center fundraiser dinner is Thursday, April 16, in Ephraim.
The Gunnison Valley Hospital scholarship deadline is April 13.
The next Gunnison Valley Cares Coalition meeting is Tuesday, April 28, at 12:00 p.m. at Gunnison City Hall. The meetings are open and the coalition welcomes community members who want to be part of this work.
Sourcing: This recap is based on the official Gunnison Valley Cares Coalition meeting minutes from March 24, 2026, taken by Jocie Rojas, facilitator. Veteran caregiver program details were cross-referenced with VD-HCBS program materials distributed at the meeting. Aging and caregiver services information was verified against R6 Regional Council brochures. The Easter Egg Hunt details were confirmed against the event flyer from the Gunnison Lions Club and GVHS Swim Team. The Children’s Justice Center fundraiser details were verified against the invitation forwarded by Jocie Rojas on March 27, 2026. For corrections, email info@sanpeteserves.com.
