About Denver Human Services

Our leadership team guides our staff as we fulfill our mission of partnering with the community to protect those in harm’s way and help all people in need. Our leaders also oversee strategic visioning and planning, service delivery, policy development, and compliance. In addition, they ensure coordination with our many city, county, state, federal, nonprofit, and legislative partners.

Our executive management team includes:

• Don Mares, Executive Director
• Jennifer Yeaw, Chief of Staff
• Bettina Schneider, Deputy Executive Director & Chief Financial Officer
• Joe Homlar, Deputy Executive Director, Protection & Prevention
• Todd Jorgensen, Deputy Executive Director, Assistance Programs
• Julie Smith, Director of Marketing & Communications
• Katie Smith, City Attorney’s Office, Director of Human Services Section
• Kat Barker, Director of Human Resources

We also employ a legislative liaison, who aids in developing and implementing public policy and educating the community about the impact of those policies for our work.

Denver Human Services is our city’s investment in the potential of its people. We serve our community through the following programs and divisions:

• The Administration Division is responsible for the overall management of the department and includes the offices of the executive director and deputy managers.
• Child Support Services is responsible for ensuring quality and timely child support services and resources.
• Child Welfare is responsible for providing child protection services, adoption, and foster care resources, and advocacy for Denver youth and children.
• Adult Protective Services provides protection services, resource, and advocacy for seniors.
  
• The Community Outreach and Resource Engagement Division works with community partners to bring increased access to assistance, benefits, nutrition, and other wellness services to the neighborhoods that need it most. 
• The Family and Adult Assistance Division is responsible for providing food, cash, and medical benefits assistance, as well as other help to Denver residents.
• The Financial Services Division is responsible for providing timely and accurate financial services, contracting services, and fiscal management.
• The Performance Improvement and Accountability Division oversees fraud investigations, internal audits, and Peak Performance improvement initiatives.