FLAGSTAFF — Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) is excited to announce the opening of the newly remodeled Southern Region Office and official ribbon cutting ceremony of the CCHHS Peaks Youth Center on Thursday, July 30 from 3 – 5 p.m.
The public is invited to attend the event, which will take place at the CCHHS Southern Region Office, 2625 N. King Street, Flagstaff, which includes a welcome at 3 p.m., comments at 3:15 p.m. and tours of the renovated lobby and Peaks Youth Center.
The reimagined Southern Region Office provides greater access to essential services and offers improved functionality within a modern welcoming environment. The renovated lobby includes a creative children’s play space featuring a hand painted mural celebrating the unique diversity of Coconino County.
The Peaks Youth Center is part of the recently completed building renovations. The Center is the result of work that began over 6 years ago as pandemic-related disruptions and anxieties, social media pressures and increasing stressors for young people showed the need for essential support services.
Research shows that many mental health disorders begin during adolescence. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly half of all youth in the United States experience a mental disorder, making this period of life critical for early intervention.
In recognition of these needs, the Coconino County Board of Supervisors approved the implementation phase of the CCHHS youth center project in December 2023. The project was the launching point for the construction of the new CCHHS Peaks Youth Center facility and the development of countywide evidence-informed emotional and social support services for youth ages 13-17, utilizing a youth-led model.
“We believe that by partnering with our youth, we can create a more effective, compassionate, and supportive space for mental wellness,” CCHHS Director Michele Axlund said.
A newly created Youth Advisory Council is working directly with CCHHS staff and leadership to develop, refine and guide programming, ensuring services reflect the needs and voices of the young people we serve. Services may include preemptive mental and behavioral health clinical services, educational support, community building activities, prevention support including wraparound programming and resource navigation. Services are being planned for outlying communities including Page, Williams, Tusayan and Fredonia. Although each community will have unique programming, services will remain intentional and youth led.
To learn more about the CCHHS Youth Center, visit coconino.az.gov/PeaksYouthCenter