November is National Adoption Month

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,…

Library, Author Donate Books to DHS Youth

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…

New DHS Site Opens at Peak Vista on Jetwing Drive

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.…

Colorado Reports SNAP Notice Error

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…

August is Child Support Awareness Month

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

August 6, 2020 – 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 a surge in applicants across the…

SNAP Redeterminations Not Completed Will Delay Assistance

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…

Colorado Department of Human Services Honors El Paso County

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…

Nonprofit Works with DHS to Help More Than 8,000 Children

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…

County Offices Will Be Closed Friday in Observance of Independence Day

July 2, 2020 – In observance of Independence Day, all El Paso County administrative, elected administrative offices, and county affiliated agencies, including El Paso County Public Health, the Pikes Peak Workforce Center, CSU extension, the Pikes Peak Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and the El Paso County Public Trustee will be closed Friday, July 3.…