Back to School with MIRA: Connecting Families to Health, Education, and Opportunity

As families across Eagle County prepare for a new school year, the MIRA bus is on the move—meeting parents and students where they are to ensure no child starts school at a disadvantage. Back-to-school season brings excitement, but it also comes with stress for families navigating tight budgets, new routines, and unmet health needs. That’s where MIRA steps in.

Health Equity Begins at the Start of the School Year

The beginning of the school year is one of the most important times for outreach. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, children who experience unmet basic needs, like food insecurity or a lack of school supplies, are more likely to suffer academically, socially, and physically. Health equity means more than access to a doctor’s visit; it means ensuring every child has what they need to learn, grow, and thrive.

Through our partnerships, MIRA connects families to the building blocks of health and well-being, all in one place.

Partnering for Impact

This year, MIRA is proud to collaborate with Vail Valley Foundation’s YouthPower365 and Mountain Life Calvary Church to provide wraparound support:

• YouthPower365 is enrolling children in their after-school programs, and providing nutritious snacks throughout the day. Their team also ensures eligible families receive assistance enrolling in reduced-price lunch programs, a vital step in fighting childhood hunger and improving school performance.
• Mountain Life Calvary Church has generously provided free backpacks filled with school supplies, removing a financial barrier that affects thousands of families nationwide. The National Retail Federation estimates families spend an average of $890 per child on back-to-school needs—an impossible cost for many.

Together, we are meeting urgent needs while also promoting long-term success.

MIRA: More Than a Visit—A Lifeline

While kids receive support through backpacks and program enrollment, the MIRA team is onsite to meet with families for individualized intakes. From there, we help connect them to vital services including:

• Health insurance enrollment
• Nutrition and chronic disease education
• Access to behavioral health support
• Referrals to local nonprofits and county resources

Everything is available in English and Spanish, and all services are provided free of charge.

Reaching Families Where They Are

Our mobile approach breaks down traditional barriers—transportation, language, paperwork—and builds trust. Last year, more than 4,800 individuals received services through MIRA . We are committed to expanding that reach this year, ensuring every student and every family has the support they need to succeed.

As we move into the fall, we’ll continue working alongside partners and community leaders to build a stronger, more equitable Eagle County—starting with our kids.