National Child Abuse Prevention Month was highlighted at the regular meeting of the Board of El Paso County Commissioners on Tuesday. It serves as a critical reminder of how everyone plays a role in preventing child abuse and neglect. “Communities are a key influence in families’ lives, just like a plant is more likely to…
People visiting the Citizens Service Center for help with Department of Human Services programs can now access the lobby directly from outside the building, and no longer must walk down the halls. The new DHS lobby at the Citizens Service Center, 1675 W. Garden of the Gods Road, opened last week. The new entry is…
El Paso County Commissioners approved a Proclamation honored adoptive families, staff and organizations supporting adoption and foster homes at their regular meeting Tuesday, Nov. 17, with a Proclamation. Also Tuesday, the annual Adoption Excellence Awards were announced at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) virtual ceremony for National Adoption Month. The awards,…
There are many ways to support foster children, as illustrated with a partnership involving the Department of Human Services, the library district and an author. The All Pikes Peak Reads book this year for young adults is All the Impossible Things by Lindsay Lackey. The middle-grade novel is about a young girl navigating the foster…
A group including DHS and Peak Vista staff celebrate the opening of a new location on Jetwing Drive on Sept. 23, 2020. Residents in the Southern part of El Paso County have a new option and fewer miles to travel to reach economic assistance help, especially when they need Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card services.…
More than 17,000 households in Colorado that receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits may have received a notice that they received zero benefits for the month of August due to an error in the state system. Additionally, separate notices were also sent that indicated households were receiving the maximum allotment allowed. The two state…
Family support is critical for the well-being of children. “The Department of Human Services strives to help families become self-sufficient,” said Julie Krow, DHS executive director. “Child support is one way to make sure children have the financial support they need to thrive, and parents are engaged in their children’s lives.” National Child Support Awareness…
DHS wants to help families in need maintain eligibility for SNAP. As of Wednesday, Aug. 5, more than 2,000 SNAP recipients had files that were not complete and must take immediate action to submit documentation to receive benefits. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps feed families. The program experienced…
El Paso County DHS staff recognized for efforts to meet and surpass goals. The Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) on Wednesday recognized El Paso County for 2019 C-Stat Distinguished Performance. The county’s outstanding performance efforts were tied to programs that help Coloradans, including helping more local families move toward a stronger economic future by keeping…
A key partnership between the El Paso County Department of Human Services and a faith-based nonprofit has reached a milestone of more than 8,000 children served. CarePortal is an online platform that connects churches and other volunteers to those in need. DHS caseworkers have worked closely with CarePortal for almost four years to help provide…
