The Mesa County Department of Human Services, established in 1936, provides multiple services to the citizens of Mesa County. The Department is administered by the Mesa County Commissioners, acting as the County Board of Human Services. DHS employs and/or contracts approximately 240 staff, providing supportive or direct services to clients with a $24 million budget. Of the $24 million, 17-19% is county share, the rest being state/federal funds.
Colorado is one of 13 state-supervised, county-administered states, which means that the state strictly dictates not only what services we provide, but how we provide them; and how much money will be allocated each year to run the programs. The Department of Human Services provides services which assist individuals and families to achieve self-sufficiency and social well being. Services can include financial assistance for shelter, food and medical care. Services are provided either directly by department personnel, and/or through collaborations or contracts with other community agencies.
Individual and family programs protect adults and children, help people to become employed and assist youth and families in properly handling their family and community conflicts.
The department takes leadership in community efforts to assess human service needs, plan for more effective and efficient human services delivery, and address emerging community needs. Human Services works closely with the other County Departments in the Health and Human Services Division to develop, coordinate, and evaluate the total package of human services provided by Mesa County.