IMPORTANT NOTICE! Prohibited Use Locations for EBT Cards

There are some locations where people are prohibited from using their EBT cards.  When they do use their cards at a prohibited location, it creates a lot of work for us, because there are required actions we have to take. 

Federal and State law require the state department to enforce the prohibition of customers accessing benefits at an automated teller machine (ATM) or Point of Sale (POS) machine located in an establishment in which a customer is prohibited from accessing cash benefits.

These locations include:

* Locations licensed to sell malt, vinous, or spirited liquors, including liquor stores, brew pubs, and bars.  This includes convenience stores/gas stations and restaurants that sell full strength alcohol. 

*  Gambling establishments such as casinos, race tracks, and bingo halls.  This includes businesses geared toward children. 

* Adult oriented entertainment including adult video stores, strip clubs and peep shows.

* Stores in which the principle business is the sale of firearms.  

Area Agency on Aging & ADRC to host 16th Annual Caregiver’s Conference

The 16^th Annual Caregiver’s Conference will be held on Thursday, November 11th from 8:30am – 3:30pm at the Mesa County Workforce Center (512 29 ½ Rd GJ).  The registration fee is just $5 and includes lunch, keynote speaker and materials.

The featured keynote speaker Lori Ramos LeMasters’ will present “The Write Tool at the Right Time.”  Her presentation features using the "write" tool at the right time. She will be conducting an interactive presentation on journaling (writing) to prevent burn out for care givers. LeMasters utilizes journaling to help caregivers create a self-care plan, as well as other tools and tips to help prevent burnout. LeMasters’ is the founder of Care Partners Resource http://carepartnersresource.com/

 “We are very excited to offer this important conference for the 16^th year,” said Dave Norman, Director of the Area Agency on Aging of Western Colorado.  “This is a tremendous value, for a $5 registration fee.  Attendees will have access to vendors, lunch and a very interesting keynote speaker.” added Norman.

Space is limited to the first 150 registrants. To register, please call Western Colorado 211 by dialing 2-1-1 or 244-8400. 

Child Welfare Hotline Supervisor and her Team Garner State Recognition

Child Welfare Hotline Supervisor and her team are recognized for their outstanding work in Mesa County. 

Too often we do not take the time to recognize the “Great Job” that people do.  I wanted to

take this opportunity to point out a person on your staff whose work ethic, professionalism and dedication is far above other Child Welfare Supervisors we work with on a daily basis.  Jacque Berry’s exemplary performance is not just a beacon of light on a hill, but a true “Light House” who stands above others, brings light and positive energy to every occasion, and has a rock solid foundation of experience and knowledge that she shares.  She continually strives for perfection regarding the operation of the Hotline in Mesa County, but does so in a very constructive and positive manner.  Just one of the most amazing accomplishments that we really admire is her management of the Pending Queue.  In fact, Mesa County is #1 in the state.  When you consider high call volume in Mesa County that is an amazing accomplishment.   We will be featuring her accomplishment in the next Hotline Newsletter as a Hotline Spotlight recipient.  Thank you for helping keep the children of Colorado safer.  

Jack Hilbert
Colorado State Hotline System Manager

Office 303-813-5801  I  Cell 303-775-9762  |  

jack.hilbert@state.co.us  I  www.colorado.gov/cdhs

BOOK DRIVE: DONATIONS OF CHILDREN'S BOOKS!

BOOK DRIVE: DONATIONS OF CHILDREN'S BOOKS!

The Blue Eligibility Team in our Economic Assistance Division is asking for your help !!

DHS is looking for donations of any gently used/new children's books for any age child for a project that we are working on to benefit children.

Boxes will be placed in the Community Services Building and the Workforce Center.

The deadline is Friday, October 28th.

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!

Mesa County Workforce Center Highlights Being A Work Ready Community

During September the Mesa County Workforce Center is highlighting their efforts to make Mesa County a Work Ready Community (WRC) http://workreadycommunities.org/

Since becoming a WRC Mesa County is finding and filling skill gaps and quantifying the skill level of the valley’s workforce. The Mesa County Workforce Center is achieving this through the use of the National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) which offers to:

• Help employers attract only qualified applicants for their open positions
• Reduce the cost of onboarding new employees, while reducing turnover
• Create career pathways to help inform students of growing industries
• Identify Mesa County’s skilled labor force and market that to new potential employers
• Help shrink Mesa County’s skills gaps
• Allows Mesa County job seekers the ability to use the NCRC as a stackable credential in most industries

“Being a Work Ready Community makes Mesa County even more attractive to businesses looking to relocate. Having an available, trained and ready workforce demonstrates that Mesa County is taking economic development seriously.” states Commissioner Scott McInnis.

The Mesa County Workforce Center has been preparing the business community through job profiling, which links job tasks with the NCRC by pinpointing benchmarks for hiring, recruiting, advancement, and training. Once the profile is completed, it is owned by the employer and is legally backed by ACT, a huge benefit for businesses when dealing with future hiring requirements.  

According to Mesa County Workforce Director, John Flanagan, “The Work Ready Communities program has been implemented in other states.  Mesa County has been the first to launch the program in Colorado, Flanagan says. “Mesa County is definitely the leader in this effort.”

Statement In Regards to Angel Place Lawsuit

Statement via-Tracey Garchar, Executive Director of the Mesa County Department of Human Services. 

 

"Our sympathies go out to this family and all families who have lost a child due to abuse and neglect. We take all incidents of child abuse and neglect very seriously. Due to pending litigation we are unable to provide any specific response in regards to the Angel Place lawsuit."

Any further inquires on this matter need to be directed to the Mesa County Attorney's Office. 

Mesa County Workforce Center Celebrates Workforce Development Month

The National Association of Workforce Development Professionals has designated September as National Workforce Development Month to honor all those individual professionals who play a vital role in local economic recovery efforts.

The Mesa County Workforce Center is hosting several activities to recognize National Workforce Development Month during September.

Commissioner, John Justman states, “The Mesa County Board of Commissioners is proud to support National Workforce Development Month. Economic development and growth in Mesa County is our priority. The Mesa County Workforce Center is a vital component of the success of our economic development efforts. We encourage local employers and job seekers to take full advantage of all the quality services being offered this month and every month at the Mesa County Workforce Center.”

Events Planned for September:

New Workforce Center Website launched at www.mcwfc.us

Job Fair Sept 27th -9:00-9:30am Exclusive to Veterans - 9:30am-2:00pm Everyone

Business Breakfast— Sept 28th 7:30-9am

Workforce Center Magazine Launch-Late September

“The Mesa County Workforce Center is a “One-Stop Shop” designed to efficiently serve the needs of businesses and job seekers in an effort to promote economic development and vitality. Our no-cost services, which include assessments, workshops, recruitment assistance, business services and much more, continue to propel our community into the future with education, training and resources invaluable in making our community prosperous and globally competitive.” according to the Mesa County Workforce Director, John Flanagan.