Human Services

Our Mission

The mission of the Department of Human Services is to provide prevention, protection, advocacy and support services to families, children and adults so they can maximize their quality of life, well-being and potential.

La Plata County's Human Services Department is dedicated to serving people. It consists of ten units responsible for administering a variety of programs, many of which are mandated and regulated by state and federal law. These programs offer a wide-range of public assistance to children, elderly, disabled and low-income residents.

Online Applications for Human Services programs

Child Care Assistance    Food and Medical Assistance   Child Support Enforcement        

•  Adoption Services and Permanency Planning- seeks to match children with suitable, loving families enabling children to have permanent homes and family stability. Contact Charmaine Summers or 970-382-6157.


• Adult Services- The purpose of the Adult Services program is to provide advocacy, support and protection services to seniors and at-risk adults so they can enhance their quality of life and be safe.


• Children and Family Services- The purpose of the Child and Family Services program is to provide protection, support and therapeutic services to at-risk children and their families so they can have a safe and permanent home. 

Foster Care- places at-risk children in caring, supportive foster families and provides resources to foster families to promote successful and positive relationships. Contact Charmaine Summers 970-382-6157 or Jed Gilden 970-382-6171.

• Child Support Enforcement- assists parents in locating non-custodial parents, establishing paternity, establishing court orders for financial and medical support and support payment collections. In 2003, the Child Support Enforcement Unit collected over $3.0 million in support payments for families in La Plata County.


• Financial and Supportive Services- The purpose of the Financial and Support Services program is to provide resource referral, financial assistance and child support services to individuals and families so they can support themselves.   


• Senior Services - The office of La Plata County Senior Services is located at the Durango/La Plata Senior Center, 2424 Main Avenue in Durango. The Durango/La Plata Senior Center offers a variety of services including nutritional meals, a home chore program, recreational and social activities, information, referral and outreach. The Home Chore Program provides assistance to seniors for minor safety, heavy cleaning, yard work and snow shoveling. Please call  (970) 382-6445 for more information and coordination of services.
  Nutritional meals are served at the Senior Center at 12:00 noon daily. The suggested donation price is $3.00 for adults age 60 and over. Meal reservations are required. Please call (970) 382-6445 by 10:00 daily for meal reservations.
  For additional information about senior services please call the Durango/La Plata Senior Center at (970) 382-6445.
  National Clearinghouse for Long-Term Care Information: This web site was developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to provide information and resources to help you and your family plan for future long-term care (LTC) needs.


• Veterans Services Office- provides assistance in accessing veterans benefits and programs. The Colorado Division of Veterans Affairs reported that  La Plata County was home to 4,396 veterans in 2008.  In 2008, this unit provided information and referral services to more than 1,500 veterans with regard to medical assistance, pension awards, home loans, and other benefits.   For additional information, please call Richard Schleeter, Veteran Services Officer at (970) 759-0117 or via this contact form.
  NEW GI BILL OFFERS VETERANS EXPANDED EDUCATION BENEFITS
  For additional information about any of these programs, please call the Human Services Department (970)382-6150.