Member Experience Advisory Council
Improving Member Experience
Health First Colorado and Child Health Plan Plus members, we need your voice!
At the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, we recognize the value of member and family participation and engaging the voices of those with lived experience in our programs. Engaging with our members is fundamental to our Department’s value of person- and family-centeredness.
The Member Experience Advisory Council (MEAC) is made up of people who are current Health First Colorado or Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) members or parent/caregivers of members. MEAC members come together monthly to learn, give input and ultimately affect positive change in our programs. Members share their honest experiences and provide feedback as a guide for the future.
Childcare, transportation costs and stipends for time well spent are offered for members’ participation.
Apply to MEAC Share your story!
Current MEAC Members MEAC Alumni Council
Mission and Objectives
- Engage members and family members of Health First Colorado and Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) to improve member experience and deepen person- and family-centered practices and culture.
- Continue to build understanding and commitment for person- and family-centeredness, which means we respect and value individual strengths, preferences and contributions, and work with members, not doing things to or for them.
- Provide opportunities for collaboration between the Department and members with the goal of improving member experience and the relationship between the Department and all members.
- Provide a way for Department staff to test with members whether or not programs and policies are working as designed and having the desired outcome.
- Build staff empathy and skills by engaging with actual members and their lived experience, accessing meaning behind data, not just relying on what’s easy to collect and analyze.
History and Background
The Institute for Patient- and Family-Centered Care (IPFCC) was invited to the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing to conduct a site visit to evaluate the Department’s person- and family-centered policies and practices. We define person-centeredness as “thinking and behaving in ways that respect and value individual preferences, strengths and contributions”. In short, we design with our members, not to or for them. The top recommendation from the IPFCC was the creation of a member-only advisory council. The Person- and Family-Centeredness Advisory Council, Person-Centered Approach Core team and staff Person-Centeredness Champions group were created in April 2015.
The group was renamed the Member Experience Advisory Council (MEAC) in 2016, and has since driven cultural change within the organization toward member-centricity, plain language, language justice, and accessibility. The MEAC has also been a launching pad for several additional efforts including the Community-Based Organization (CBO) Ambassador Program to engage non-English speaking communities to make improvements to member communications. MEAC alumni members are involved in many areas of the organization, in other State agency efforts to improve access, services and benefits, and nationally as paid consultants in health care and public insurance.
MEAC Members
Our current MEAC includes representatives from the following counties:
- Boulder
- Denver
- Douglas
- El Paso
- Jefferson
- Larimer
- Rio Grande
- Saguache
- Weld
Briana Anthony
I wanted to join MEAC because as a parent of four children, two of whom have autism, I understand the challenges families face in accessing and navigating healthcare services. Being part of MEAC allows me to bring my firsthand experiences as a parent of children with special needs to the table, contributing to the improvement of Health First Colorado and Child Health Plan Plus programs for families like mine. I believe in the importance of involving members and families in improving healthcare experiences. MEAC provides a platform where my voice is heard, and I can see the impact of our collective input on shaping policies and practices for better member experiences. |
Leslie Chouinard
I have dealt with sporadic and random access to health care for most of my adult life. I have also seen the effects that the lack of access to health care have had on my friends and family. I hope that by taking part in committees such as MEAC I can make a difference in these gaps in the health care system. |
Patrick D’Silva
Health First Colorado has been critical for my wife and I, especially with our son who has special needs. My background is in higher ed, and I have been looking for opportunities to give back to the community beyond my work in the classroom. When I heard about MEAC, I thought it would be a great way to pay things forward and work with others to ensure that everyone in Colorado has the health care they need. |
Dave Ehlert
Hey there! I joined MEAC to help others navigate through the system and get the exact accessible care they need. It is incredibly satisfying to know my voice counts! I’m a single dad on Medicaid and it has been just amazing and for others, life saving. |
Jacob Espinoza
I am originally from New York, but currently live in Denver. I am a chef, herbalist and yoga teacher. I joined MEAC in November 2023. I joined MEAC because I enjoy this program and feel it’s so necessary in today’s society especially after the pandemic. I am hopeful that the programs will continue and expand on providing support for preventive health and the care and support we need daily. |
Yasmine Khalil
Hello! |
Lawrence Mathews
Hello everyone! My name is Lawrence Mathews, I’m 44, I love to help others in need and feel very honored to be a member of MEAC. This is my first year as a board member, it is a VERY rewarding experience as well as being highly informative. My link to the healthcare system is that I’ve been a Medicaid recipient since 2009. I am a new resident to Colorado, currently residing in Denver by way of Houston, TX. I appreciate the opportunity to be a member of MEAC and sincerely wish that I am providing beneficial insight towards the meetings, which will bring about positive changes wherever they are needed. Thank you! |
Emily Post
I’m an early-30s transgender woman and a social work masters’ student. My experience navigating healthcare as a trans person has not always been easy; I got into MEAC to make access to care easier and less mystifying for the next generation of transgender youth. A better world starts with our own communities; a world that prioritizes people over systems. |
Danielle (Dani) Sondrol
I’ve lived across the country in various communities both large and small. My husband and I have four children. We enjoy cooking healthy meals, camping, hiking, painting, nature photography, wild foraging, and homeschooling our children. Our dog, Dolly, and our cat, Juniper, accompany us on many adventures. We are always together as a family, whether at home or trekking through the backcountry. Our family consists of many members with special needs, and access to Medicaid has improved our quality of life. Supportive services are fundamentally crucial for our society to be healthy. My interests have long been rooted in activism and advocacy. Being invited to join the MEAC is an exciting new opportunity to hear others’ experiences and lend my voice to a more extensive discussion to benefit millions of residents in our diverse and excellent state of Colorado. |
Mari Temmer
I am a single parent of 33 year old twin daughters and a breast cancer survivor. I serve on the City of Loveland Senior Advisory Board and the Disability Advisory Commission and am a board member of the Loveland Justice League. I have been a PTO President, and have worked as a Behavior Modification Specialist at a large teaching hospital in Chicago. I was a specialized foster parent for over 10 years, and also had a foster son on the autism spectrum. I have been on Medicaid since leaving the work force to deal with several disabilities and I believe everyone deserves to receive only the best health care, and to be treated with dignity and respect. I am excited to be able to make a positive contribution to the Medicaid experience. |
Joann Tenorio
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Jennie Yu
I had to set her up with an apartment and all the responsibilities and necessities that come with it. This also includes the daily visits to ensure her safety while living alone for the first time in her life at the age of 84. Navigating appropriate housing, medical and financial help for someone like mom was a tremendously daunting experience since I had never done anything that comprehensive before, it felt defeating. We have come a long ways in these two years but I know there is always more to learn and to share with others. During this journey I have always felt that there are others who may share the same path as mom and I, but our situation is also unique. I hope that we can help those that are in a similar situation and become a resource navigator for others. Now, two years later, I understand what advocacy and compassion mean. |
Health First Colorado MemberGreetings everyone, I’m very passionate about having health care for all. With that said, I’ve witnessed first hand how challenging that can be for an epileptic with five children who see their own specialty care doctors. When I came across this opportunity, I was so eager to submit an application. I come from various backgrounds in the healthcare field. I’m eager to collaborate with my fellow MEAC members and bring ideas that will not only help now but also will help the generation behind. |
MEAC Alumni Council
Members who have completed two years on the Member Experience Advisory Council (MEAC) may apply to participate as liaisons between the MEAC and the Medical Care Advisory Committee (MCAC). This provides MEAC alumni with a natural next level of engagement and an opportunity to work alongside health care professionals to advise the Department on topics they decide upon related to:
- additions and changes to services,
- coordination of care,
- quality of services,
- eligibility, enrollment and renewal processes,
- member and provider communications,
- cultural competency, language access, health equity and disparities and biases in the program,
- access to services, and
- other issues that impact the delivery or outcomes of health and medical services.
MEAC Alumni Council Meetings
Alumni Council members spend between 4 hours and 7 hours on council activities each month. They attend the monthly MEAC meeting, with extra time scheduled after this meeting for the MEAC alumni to discuss feedback and prepare for the quarterly MCAC meetings. MEAC Alumni Council members also attend the quarterly MCAC meeting on a rotating basis.
- MEAC Meetings: Second Tuesday of each month. Three hour meeting beginning at 9 a.m.
- MEAC Alumni Council Meetings: Second Tuesday of each month. One or two hour meeting beginning at 1 p.m.
- MCAC Meetings: Quarterly meetings beginning in September 2025. Time TBD.
MEAC Alumni Council Membership
Three MEAC Alumni are appointed by the Chief Customer Officer to serve on the council for a 1-year term with the option to extend the term for an additional 2 years. Selected members will:
- Be a current Health First Colorado/CHP+ member, family member or caregiver
- Have completed a 2-year term on the State Member Experience Advisory Council (MEAC)
- Have the time and ability to attend the required meetings
- Have an interest in advocating for positive change for all members.
If you are interested in becoming a MEAC Alumni Council member, please complete the application located on the MEAC google site or contact thessica.covato@state.co.us
MEAC Alumni Council Members
Samantha Fields
I joined the MEAC Alumni Council because I’ve seen how powerful it is when Medicaid members are truly heard. As someone living with multiple chronic and rare illnesses, I’ve used my experience to advocate for improvements in access, equity, and member experience across Colorado. During my time with MEAC, I helped shape conversations around food and health, accessibility, and transportation—issues that directly affect members’ ability to live safely and independently. I keep coming back because MEAC created space for my voice when I felt invisible, and I want to help make sure others get that same opportunity. I’ve continued this work as the Team Lead for Colorado Blueprint to End Hunger’s Connecting Food and Health Project Team that allowed me to work directly with the RAEs. My hope is that the MEAC Alumni group grows into a strong, collaborative network that champions real policy change, supports each other’s advocacy, and helps lift new voices so we’re never just reacting to systems—we’re helping build them. |
MEAC Alumni Council Member 2:Member of the Health First Colorado Buy-In Program for Working Adults with Disabilities |
MEAC Alumni Council Member 2:Caregiver of children on the Health First Colorado Buy-In Program for Children with Disabilities |
Share Your Story
The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing wants to share your story!
If Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program) or Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) has made a positive impact on you or your family, we want to hear about it. Your story will help other Coloradans better understand the benefits of health insurance coverage.
To share your story with us, please complete this form. We will not share your story with anyone else without your written permission first.
Check out the video below to experience how great it is to hear about other members.
See other member stories
Mary’s Story |
Cassie’s Story |
Beth’s Story |
Raina’s Story |
Emery’s Story |
Mike’s Story |
Maddie’s Story |
Stacy’s Story |
Jessica’s Story |
The Soto/Ynigo Family Story |
Jasmine’s Story |
Steve’s Story |
How else can I get involved? Find out more or email feedback@healthfirstcolorado.com
Contact
Have questions? Contact Chief Customer Officer Antoinette Taranto at Antoinette.Taranto@state.co.us
OR
Member Engagement & Advisory Council Specialist Thessica Covato at Thessica.Covato@state.co.us
