Social Services

Social Services - Kristina Rhoades

Our Mission
The mission of the Department of Social Services is to provide prevention, protection, advocacy, and support services to families, children, and adults so they can maximize their quality of life, well-being, and potential. San Juan County's Social Services Department is dedicated to serving people. It consists of a variety of programs, many of which are mandated and regulated by state and federal law. These programs offer a wide range of public assistance to children, the elderly, the disabled, and low-income residents.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

• Must have at least one child under the age of 18 or be pregnant
• Household gross annual income must be under $75,000
• At least one adult household member must be a US citizen or in the US legally

Colorado Peak website 
Apply online or with paper applications located on the table outside of the Social Services office in the Courthouse:

• TANF
• Food Assistance (SNAP)
• Medicaid
• Financial Assistance for adults who have disabilities and/or are age 60 or older

Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP)

• This program is run by Discover Goodwill
• The season is November 1 through April 30
• Apply by phone at 866-432-8435 or at the Colorado Peak website

Energy Outreach Colorado

• Payment assistance with energy bills
• Must apply for LEAP first if you qualify for LEAP
• Required: Completed application, Photo ID, and the bills that need to be paid
• Return to the Social Services Office

Commodities Distribution

• Last Tuesday of every month unless otherwise posted
• Must qualify with Kristina Rhoades before receiving

Child Protection
Everyone in the community plays a role in the prevention of child abuse and neglect. If you have concerns about a child's safety and well-being, you can report your concerns to Human Services or law enforcement, any time of day or night. If it is an emergency or you are witnessing a child in a life-threatening situation, call 911 immediately.

For situations that aren't emergencies:

• La Plata County Human Services main number 970-382-6150
• La Plata County Human Services child abuse and neglect reporting number 970-385-6438
• Central Dispatch 970-387-5531
• Toll-free Colorado Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline 844-264-5437 (844-CO-4-KIDS)

Calls reporting child abuse and neglect will be recorded for monitoring and quality assurance purposes.

Fraud Prevention
In order to discourage fraud and theft, we encourage Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cardholders to:

• Change their PIN often, as skimming devices can easily identify card and PIN information. The PIN is what safely protects benefits on the EBT card.
   
• Utilize the “freeze” card option via the ebtEDGE mobile app or Cardholder Portal (ebtEDGE.com). The cardholder can freeze and unfreeze their card in seconds, and the freeze will prevent any financial transactions.
   
• Consider direct deposit for their cash benefits. Adult Financial and Colorado Works recipients can have their benefits deposited to their personal bank account or to a KeyBank prepaid debit card.
   
• File an incident report with local law enforcement in the event their EBT card was compromised (while this won’t aid in benefit reinstatement from the State or County, it will alert law enforcement as to what is going on in their area and, it’s good to have on file in the event that the client’s debit and/or credit card was also compromised.)

Civil Rights and Non-Discrimination
San Juan County's Social Services Civil Rights Plan (pdf) | San Juan County Civil Rights Complaint form (pdf)

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), religious creed, disability, age, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the agency (state or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, which can be obtained online or from any USDA office, by calling (833) 620-1071, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation.

The completed AD-3027 form or letter can be submitted by mail, fax or email:

1. Mail: Food and Nutrition Service, USDA 1320 Braddock Place, Room 334 Alexandria, VA 22314 or
2. Fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442 or
3. Email: FNSCivilRightsComplaints@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Complaints:

• La Plata County Complaint Procedure 
  San Juan County contracts with La Plata County to provide child welfare services and other social services.
   
• General Complaints: may be submitted by completing the online complaint form in English or Spanish
   
• Child Welfare Complaints may be submitted by completing the Child Welfare complaint form in English or Spanish
• By calling: 303.866.3275
• By email: cdhs_clientservices@state.co.us
• By mail: 1575 Sherman St., 8th Floor, Denver, CO 80203.   ATTN: Client Services

San Juan County Social Services
Kristina Rhoades
1557 Greene St / PO Box 376, Silverton, CO 81433
Phone: 970.387.5631
Fax: 970.387.5326
KRhoades@lpcgov.org