Child Protective Services >

NOTE:

Due to COVID-19 and the impact this may have in our community, we ask that all documents be dropped in the secure drop box located outside the main entrance door. Please include the Customer name and date of birth on the documents. All original documents will be mailed back to the Customer. Thank you for helping keep our customers healthy and safe

Colorado Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline

Colorado has a toll-free phone number to report child abuse and neglect 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year. Please call the Colorado Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline 1-844-264-5437 to report concerns about a child’s safety and well-being. All calls are confidential and will be routed to the county where the child resides. Montezuma County Social Services - 970-565-3769 Montezuma County Child Welfare Department - 970-564-4128 For further information: PLEASE view the Colorado State Division of Child Welfare website

PLEASE view the Colorado State Division of Child Welfare website

Everyone in a community can help prevent child abuse and neglect. If you are witnessing a child in a life-threatening situation or if there an emergency call 911 immediately.

Report Child Abuse and Neglect

1-844-CO-4-KIDS – Toll-free 1-844-264-5437

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The purpose of Child Protective service is to keep children safe, provide support so children may remain in their homes, and provide services to families and children that have been placed out of the home. MCDSS strives to offer support, therapeutic services, case management, and core services when it is assessed that there are concerns and the family would benefit from services so the child(ren) can live in a safe and permanent home. Early prevention and intervention have led to a decrease in foster care placement and a decrease in days that children and youth spend in out of home placement.

Montezuma County Social Services Child Welfare Department is responsible for the investigation and assessment of allegations of child neglect and abuse of children from birth to the age of 18. The department provides intake and ongoing services to families and children. Services include Child Protection, Foster Care, and Intensive Individual and Family Counseling. In addition, Intensive Home-based Intervention services and a Day Treatment Program in partnership with RE-1 School District and BOCES are offered.

Montezuma County Social Services – 970-565-3769
Montezuma County Child Welfare Department – 970-564-4128

For further information: PLEASE view the Colorado State Division of Child Welfare website

Other Community Services

Report Child Abuse and Neglect

1-844-CO-4-KIDS

Toll-free 1-844-264-5437

Everyone in a community can help prevent child abuse and neglect. If you are witnessing a child in a life-threatening situation or if there an emergency call 911 immediately.

CORE Services

Child Protection Focused Therapy
Intensive Family Therapy
Trauma-Focused Play Therapy
Home-Based Therapy (When appropriate focused on preservation and reunification)
Family Team Meeting Consults
Intensive Assessment:
- Assessment of suitability for intervention in family processes where there are concerns about the future safety of the children.
- Identification of type of services needed (based on an assessment) where, how often, and with whom.
  - NOTE: This is not a diagnostic evaluation, in the majority of cases diagnostic evaluations are conducted by another agency.
Individual therapy:
- Conducted with a parent, caregiver, or other adults who have specific therapeutic needs in order to address the safety or risk issue(s) that precipitated the need for removal or potential for removal.
- Conducted with children and adolescents impacted by trauma through trauma-focused therapy and play to help reduce symptoms associated with trauma.

Family Therapy:
- To implement a systemic approach to risk reduction work with children and families.
- To work with adults, children, caregivers, members of extended family, and friends as appropriate in assisting the family towards health, safety, and self-sufficiency.
- To find ways to work within legal frameworks towards safe rehabilitation of children to their families.
- To address patterns, fears, and child protection issues from the past in order to assess how it is impacting the present concerns.
- To engage in forgiveness and healing work, as well as planning for the future.
- To address barriers to healthy and protective parenting.

Montezuma County Department of Social Services Policy for Grievance Concerning County Employee Conduct

Social Services Policy for Grievances

The Montezuma County Department of Social Services (MCDSS) currently has a Citizen Review Panel which is currently active. There are 3 community members who serve on this panel. The panel reviews concerns regarding child welfare cases. Currently, there is a panel member opening and if you are interested in being a panel member, you can contact the county administrator, Shak Powers, at 970 -565-8317. Please contact MCDSS Director, Gina Montoya, at 970-564-4105 if you need to request a grievance or need further information.

Conflict of Interest: In making decisions, all employees of Montezuma County must exercise independent judgment for the best interest of the County. Personal or outside interests or relationships must not influence employees to the detriment of the County.

Employees of Montezuma County must not engage in any activities or relationships, including personal investment, which might directly or indirectly result in a conflict of interest, or impair their independence of judgment. They must not accept gifts, favors, or benefits that might tend in any way, to influence them in the performance of their duties.

If employees have any questions about whether a situation is a conflict of interest, discuss the matter with your manager. If there is disagreement, refer the matter to the County Administrator for a final determination.