Get a Bigger Refund at Tax Time!

Tax filing prep time is fast approaching and taxpayers with household incomes less than $53,000 qualify for FREE tax help.

Visit a Tax Help Colorado tax site to get your return prepared and e-filed for free by IRS-certified students. To find free tax prep sites in Mesa County, dial 2-1-1 (it’s a free call!) or visit www.piton.org/tax-help-colorado. Local, 211 Operators will provide callers with the location and answer questions in regards to items needed to have your taxes prepared.

211 Director, Christie Higgins, states “Tax assistance is available to residents from other Western Slope Counties by dialing a 211 operator and they will connect callers to free tax help within their local area.”  Higgins also reminds filers to ask about possible earned income tax credits, which may be available.

During the 2014 tax season, Tax Help Colorado provided free tax assistance to more than 10,400 individuals, helping them claim more than $20.6 million in tax refunds. In addition, the program saved families nearly $2 million in commercial tax preparation fees.

Jump Start Job Fair 2016

2016 Mesa County Workforce Center Jump Start Job Fair

Job Fair Flyer for Jan 28, 2016

Mesa County Workforce Center’s Jump Start Job Fair is FAST approaching!

The Mesa County Workforce Center is sponsoring the annual Jump Start Job Fair Thursday, January 28th, at the Mesa County Workforce Center.  The annual event is hugely popular with many Mesa County employers and job seekers.

 “The Workforce Center has listened to the needs of the business community and we expect the event to be highly successful just as it has always been in previous years,” said Celina Kirnberger, Business Services Supervisor, Mesa County Workforce Center.  

“The Workforce Business Center will be filled with more than 30 actively hiring employers.  These will be employers from a variety of sectors – including Manufacturing, Healthcare, Hospitality and more!” added Kirnberger.

Mesa County continues to be a competitive job market; the Workforce Center encourages all job seekers to come to the hiring event well-prepared.  

Employers will be offering jobs ranging from the service industry to health care.

Note: The first half hour (8am to 8:30am) of the job fair will be available exclusively to Veterans. The Workforce Center strives to promote priority of service to those who have served our country.

Where: Mesa County Workforce Center 512 29 ½ Rd, Grand Junction, CO

When: Thursday, January 28^th, 2016 from 8am – 3pm

This is another service that the Mesa County Workforce Center offers to support the local business community! 

CLARIFICATION: No Job Fair Today at the Mesa County Workforce Center

There will NOT be a Job Fair today at the Mesa County Workforce Center.

There IS a Job Fair at Intellitec College at 772 Horizon Drive, Grand Junction, CO 81506,  970-639-0093

The Mesa County WFC is participating in a Trade/Career Fair at Intellitec from 2-5 today.

Clarification: It is being hosted by Intellitec at Intellitec.

Crossover Youth Practice Model Yields Recognition

Mesa County- Mesa County’s Crossover Team was recognized by the Convening on Children, Youth and Families. Don Castro, of 21 Judicial Probation received the Excellence in Practice Key to Success Award as the Chair of the Crossover Youth Committee of Mesa County.  This recognizes Mesa County’s focus on community partnerships through preparation, perseverance, and integrity which led to an effective collaboration among the courts, the child welfare agency, attorneys, providers, law enforcement, and child welfare community; while providing for safety, permanency and the well-being of children and families in Mesa County.

Don Castro, of 21 Judicial Probation says the following, “I would agree that there’s been a lot of collaboration between DHS and Probation and would say it’s at an all-time high.”

Jill Calvert, Division Director of Mesa County Child Welfare Services and Judge Valerie Robison are key supporters of the Crossover work and were instrumental in Mesa County being selected by Georgetown University as a site to implement the Crossover Youth Practice Model.

According to Calvert, DHS Child Welfare Division Director, “By working together we are able to serve children at the lowest possible level without duplicating services. This collaboration has been building for several years and the therapies we offer collectively provide the best opportunity for children to be safe and find permanency. ”

The Crossover Implementation Team consists of collaborations with the following community agencies: Probation, Judges, Magistrates, GJPD, Mesa County Sheriff’s Office, Criminal Justice Services, Mesa County District Attorney’s Office, the Public Defender’s Office, Mesa County Department of Human Services, Division Of Youth Corrections, School District 51, Partners, Mind Springs Health, Hilltop.

Human Services Sends Welfare Fraud Case to DA for Prosecution

The Mesa County Department of Human Services (MCDHS) Fraud and Recovery Unit recently sent a suspected fraud case to the Mesa County District Attorney’s office totaling over $5,432.74.  

The suspected fraud occurred from March 4, 2014 to August 31, 2015. Welfare Fraud investigators uncovered enough evidence to allege fraud in the following programs:

Food Assistance: $1,679.00

AND

Aid to the Needy and Disabled:  $3,022.75

Additionally, the Department will be seeking restitution of $730.99 in Administrative costs associated with the investigation 

Intentionally defrauding public assistance programs consists of falsely reporting information on an application including household composition, household resources or household income. Punishment includes repayment of benefits issued and may result in a 1-year to lifetime ban from receiving public assistance benefits and/or criminal prosecution.

“Knowingly providing false information on a public assistance application/re-certification in order to receive benefits is a crime and it is something we take very seriously,” said Tracey Garchar, Executive Director for the Mesa County Department of Human Services. “These benefits are in place for people who are eligible and genuinely need them in order to help provide basic needs for their family,” added Garchar.

If you or someone you know suspects welfare fraud, please call the Mesa County Department of Human Services Welfare Fraud Hotline at (970) 256-2421.

Mesa County Veterans Service Office Encouraging Vets to Visit

In observance of Veterans Day, November 11 the Mesa County Department of Human Services would like to highlight the services available through the County Veteran Service Officer (VSO). VSO, Dave Montoya, from the Mesa County Workforce Center is available to help veterans navigate their Veteran benefits. VSO’s help gather the information necessary to support a claim, filing a claim, and tracking the claim through the VA system. A County VSO can also assist with filing appeals for denied claims.  Some of the services the County VSO can assist with include:

·         Pension, Aid & Attendance, Nursing Home Care Claims

·         Insurance Benefits & Eligibility

·         Educational Benefits

·         Burial & Death Benefits

·         Federal, State & Local Benefits

·         Recovery of Military Service Records

·         Referral for: housing, health, employment, counseling, and other support agencies

Department of Human Service’s Executive Director Tracey Garchar states, “I strongly encourage local Veterans make use of the services provided by our Veteran Service Officer. Dave’s expertize can help Vets avoid the pitfalls and delays that can result from missing paperwork or improperly filled out claim forms.”

The Mesa County Veteran’s Service Officer provides services to veterans who served in the United State Armed Forces, their surviving spouses and dependent children.

Call today to schedule an appointment! 970-248-2733.