Elbert County Social Services

• Child Protection Services
• Foster Care Program
• Adult Protective Services
• Monetary and other Supportive Services

1. Intake, Assessment and Protective Services

   Intake caseworkers respond to a variety of concerns about children and their families. They are the first to respond to a report of possible child neglect or abuse. When a report of possible child abuse or neglect is received, the intake screener gathers critical information from the reporter. This information will be used by the Intake Supervisor to determine if an investigation is needed and how the intake worker will carry out the investigation. During the investigation, the caseworker assesses the family environment and safety and risk factors concerning the child (ren). The worker will also assess the allegations of abuse/neglect and work with families to assist with any community based services needed to strengthen family functioning. If the intake worker determines that a family needs long term services then the case is moved into the ongoing unit.

   
   

   Ongoing, Protective and Reunification Services Ongoing services are provided for children ages 0 to 21 and their families. These children have generally been identified as being at risk for abuse and/or neglect or have high-risk behaviors that place themselves and the community at risk. Ongoing caseworkers provide a variety of services with the goals of minimizing the risk to children, preserving the family and ensuring that children are in the least restrictive permanent home within the established State guidelines. Services to children and families are provided either voluntarily or under a court order. Services include: referrals to community agencies, ensuring residents complete therapeutic and substance abuse services, supervised parenting time, development of a family services plan, transportation, emergency housing assistance, gas vouchers, advocacy and support. What types of services are provided for families is determined on a case-by-case situation.

   
   

1. Food Assistance:

   An assistance program that helps families with the cost of food for low income families who fall within the income guidelines.

2. Day Care Assistance: Simla Office 719-541-2369

   An assistance program that helps low income families with the rising costs of quality child care while parents are away at work.

3. Colorado Works/TANF:

   This program provides a variety of services for families who are unemployed and seeking employment, or employed but fall under 185% of the poverty level. Some of the services available through this program are some monetary assistance, Medicaid, job training and education and job seeking assistance.

4. Low Income Energy Assistance (LEAP): Simla Office 719-541-2369

   Provides assistance for low-income families with the rising costs of heating bills

5. Old Age Pension (OAP) and Aid to the Needy and Disabled (AND): :

   The Old Age Pension (OAP) program provides cash benefits to individuals aged 60 years and older in three categories of assistance -- OAP-A, the largest of the three categories, serves persons aged 65 or older; OAP-B serves persons between the ages of 60 and 64; and OAP-C serves persons in state institutions, such as the Colorado mental health institutes, who receive no Medicaid. "http://www.cdhs.state.co.us/oss/ass/AboutProt.htm "
   
   AND-Colorado Supplement provides cash benefits to disabled individuals between the ages of 18 and 59, who also receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI.) AND-State only provides a cash benefit to individuals between 18 and 59 for a temporary period when they are disabled less than 12 months or awaiting receipt of SSI.
   "http://www.cdhs.state.co.us/oss/ass/AboutProt.htm "