ABOUT

Mission

Partnering with our community to protect those in harm's way and help all people in need.

Denver Human Services helps and protects people of all ages. Our dedicated staff listen and advise, and help people apply for public assistance programs. We protect abused and neglected children and adults by making sure they live in safe environments and help both individuals and families in crisis. In addition, we help connect people to community resources that can help them in a time of need.

Values

• Accountability - we're responsible, we meet expectations that are clearly stated, and our actions can be explained
• Cutting Edge - we're willing to look for creative and innovative solutions
• Community Awareness - we help our community understand and we respond to issues of people in need
• Confidentiality - we're entrusted with private information and we keep all of it confidential
• Customer Centered - we're service focused, compassionate, and non-judgemental
• Inclusiveness - we value all forms of diversity and difference
• Integrity - we truthful and honest in all our actions
• Respect - we value our customers, colleagues, and community
• Teamwork - we work together and with the community
• Workforce - we recognize the value of employees and invest in the workforce to increase employee development and morale
   

Denver Human Services is committed to reaching these vision's and values, we have created a strategic plan to ensure that we keep this commitment.  Click here to view this strategic plan.

Denver Human Services has staff in the following 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 Engagment Division works with community partners to bring increased access to assitance, benefits, nutrition and other wellness services to the neighborhoods that need it most. 

• The  Family and Adult Assistance Division is responsible for providing cash assistance (TANF), food assistance, assistance with Medicaid and Medicare, and 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. 

Our leadership team sets the vision for the department and guides staff in our mission to partner with the community to protect those in harm’s way and help all people in need. They also provide oversight of service delivery; policy development and compliance; strategic planning; coordination with the Mayor’s Office, City Council, the City Attorney’s Office, and the Office of Children’s Affairs, among other city agencies and departments; as well as coordination with other counties, state and federal legislators, the Colorado Department of Human Services, and the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing.
 

Executive Management Team:

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

The Board of Human Services advises the executive director and provides consultation about issues that are core to our vision and values.

The board meets quarterly and the public is invited to attend. Board meeting dates/times are posted on the DHS Calendar.

Board Members

• Seth Belzley
• Haroun Cowans
• Shawna Darling
• Shawn Deberry Johnson
• Ismael Guerrero (Board Chair)
• Sonya Robertson

Upcoming Meeting

Thursday, November 15, 2:30-3:30 p.m.
Children's Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus
Skyline Gallery
2121 Children’s Museum Dr.
Denver, CO 80211

The work of the liaison is important in developing and implementing public policy for DHS and educating the community about the impact of such policy.

The liaison provides support by: 

• Monitoring and working on state and federal legislation that impacts our clients and staff;
• Closely tracking state and federal budgets and fiscal policy as they apply to DHS;
• Working with the rule-making bodies of state agencies, such as the Colorado Department of Human Services, the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing, and the Colorado Department of Revenue, to implement new state policies and legislation;
• Representing DHS in community groups that advocate on public policy issues relevant to the Department and important to clients and staff;
• Working with elected officials to provide information about DHS and to help resolve the concerns their constituents may have with DHS.