Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Over 700 Books Being Donated to Foster Children in Mesa County

A local Mesa County resident makes reading a mission! Shelly Williams is donating over 700 new books to foster children in Mesa County. Mrs. Williams home schools her children and believes that books are integral to a child’s learning experience. She has stocked her children’s bookshelves with books and each year she then donates books to others in the community.

Williams will be donating the books on Monday, December 19, 2016, at the Mesa County Workforce Center room D from 10:00am-2:00 pm.

A book is such a wonderful gift for a child, especially during the holidays,” said Placement Supervisor, Sarah St. Martin. “We are so pleased Shelly has chosen to share this generous gift with children in foster care.” she St. Martin.

Foster children in the care of Ariel Clinical Services, Whimspire Child Placement and Foster Care of Mesa County will bring children to pick out books at the Workforce Center on Monday.


More Foster/kinship families are needed to provide stability and love to children of all ages in Mesa County.  If you are interested in becoming a Foster Parent contact Foster Care of Mesa County at 970 683 2607. 

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Study Reveals: Rising Costs Associated with Elder Care to Impact Colorado

Colorado is the one of the first states in the Country to create a strategic plan for the aging population.

Colorado’s population over 55 will have a massive impact on nearly every Coloradoan over the next 14 years, according to a new report from the Strategic Action Planning Group on Aging.  The group and the study are a result of House Bill 15-1033. The group was commissioned by state lawmakers to research the economic impacts on citizens and state, local budgets. The report also examines transportation planning, workforce training and improving consumer protections for seniors.

Dave Norman Director of the Area Office on Aging AAA serves on the Strategic Action Group. Norman states, “The Group’s recommendations are for open coordinated and collaborative services for the State’s aging population.  This is not a top-down approach, rather solutions from the bottom up to address and provided critical services for one of the largest populations in the State.”

The group’s report was released on Tuesday morning and warns that if action is not taken to prepare there will be huge impacts on the state budget. Health care for the State’s aging population will continue to outpace the projected revenue growth.


A prevailing recommendation of the Group would be the creation of a new high-level position in the executive branch of the state government.  Norman compares the position to a “Czar on Aging for the State of Colorado.”

Services Closed in Observance of Independence Day 2020

In observance of Independence Day, all Mesa County Department of Human Services offices will be closed on Friday, July 3. All offices wi...