The Courier | El Paso County Newsletter - August 2023

COURIER EDITORIAL BOARD

The anticipation of returning to school can be felt throughout the air as the summer draws to a close. El Paso County is pleased to support this process, which benefits the children and families living in our community. By providing various activities and resources, we want to make it easier for families to get through the typically chaotic time leading up to the start of the school year. We are committed to ensuring every child receives the opportunities necessary to succeed with initiatives and programs to achieve this goal. The educators, support staff, and community volunteers in our county are committed to making the transition back to school as easy and pleasant as is humanly possible, and they are a wealth of information and compassion. I want to express my gratitude for your unwavering dedication and commitment to our student's education and well-being.

We look forward to another productive academic year ahead of us!

B a c k t o S c h o o l

As the summer months transition into the back-toschool season, excitement, enthusiasm, and nerves are setting in for all high school students. These students must decide what career they want to pursue in adulthood. The challenge is most students only know the occupations that are taught in school. What if students have other desires or passions they would like to explore?

To help students discover what career they would like, Leigh Simpson, Resource Manager, and Scott Hall, Training Program Manager, from the Department of Public Works (DPW) began working together to help students learn about the careers in construction offered at El Paso County. They titled their program DPW Connects. This program allows students to learn about the different positions in the construction field through classroom presentations from DPW staff or by taking a tour of the DPW facility.

When DPW arrives to present at a school, they come in graders, backhoe loaders, or compactors for the students to get on and try them out! This interactive presentation allows students to learn about heavy machinery and provides an opportunity to see if a career in construction would be right for them. While students have this opportunity, DPW offers students more. They invite schools to their facility so students can test out even more career paths at DPW.

The tours at DPW allow students to meet staff across the department and work on equipment that cannot be brought to their schools. Students are able to use the in-house equipment in the weld shop, build signs for their school, and ask questions directly to a professional. "Last August, we had a field trip here, and I was filled with joy. I thought what DPW was doing here was amazing, and I want to be a part of it," said a Vista Ridge High School senior.

The DPW Connects program's primary goal is to provide a sense of direction to students who are still determining what career they would like to pursue. To explore more about this program, we asked Leigh and Scott why a program like DPW Connects is essential for students to participate in before deciding what career they would like.

How did this project come to mind?

Leigh: A couple of years ago, when my kids were in District 49, I got an email about careers in construction and other trades. They were running these programs through their local high schools I printed out the flyer, went over to Scott, and said, "We have to get involved with this!"

Scott: She lit the fire in my head. It got a little crazy in the beginning, but we were able to start with District 49 Leigh handles discussions with human resources and meetings with the school administration to set up our tours or presentations. Then it is my responsibility to go out and bring a piece of equipment that I can bring to the schools Why is a program like DPW Connects an essential contribution to a student's curriculum?

Leigh: I saw it in both my kids when they were graduating high school, and they didn't know what they wanted to do. Until you put your hands on something you're interested in, you don't really know if you want to do that for a living. The great thing about this program is that we don't just have one career path We have all these different career paths.

Scott: Our hope is that we catch students before they dive into the abyss of student loans and provide a direction for students. Is our goal to get them to solely come here? No. If I can get them, that's great. This program is for them to at least get something out of it. I don't just talk about the machinery when they are at our facility I take them to meet the engineers, fleet, and dispatch I show them every part of our department so they can see what interests them.

DPW Connects has expanded its tours to prepare for the 2023-2024 school year. These tours include more time with engineers, dispatch, mock job interviews, and resumé writing tips. For more information on the DPW Connects program, contact scotthall@elpasoco.com.

With kids going back to school and businesses around El Paso County ramping up for fall, we want to highlight all that we have going on during this busy season. In our bustling region, every season is a busy season; our goal is to keep you informed of the many ways the county is serving our valued residents. In this month’s Nine to Five, we highlight county efforts to support our students, families, and neighbors as we head “back to school” in August Enjoy relevant content from El Paso County Public Health, the Department of Human Services, the Economic Development department, and the County Attorney’s Office.

NINE NINE T T FIVE FIVE

County Attorney

Adult Protection Services serves the community by offering protective services to prevent, reduce, or eliminate the current or potential risk of mistreatment (i.e. physical abuse, sexual abuse, unreasonable confinement or restraint, caretaker neglect, financial exploitation, etc.) or self-neglect to at-risk adults using community-based services and resources, health care services, family and friends (when appropriate), and other support systems. When the least-restrictive measures fail, Adult Protection Services may petition the court to appoint a guardian and/or conservator for the at-risk adult to protect them from further mistreatment or self-neglect. In these legal matters, we at the County Attorney’s Office – Human Services Division represent the Department of Human Services Adult Protection unit. We provide legal advice to the Adult Protection unit, file appropriate legal documents, and fully litigate these matters to ensure our residents are kept safe.

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mock courtroom donation is incredibly helpful. Provided at no cost to nonprofit organizations preparing young children for testifying about abuse and neglect, we are extremely thankful for this new tool. In Kelson’s words, the mock courtroom helps take away “the uncertainty of the ‘when,’ ‘how,’ and ‘where’” to aid children in feeling less anxious and more successful in telling their accounts. The use of the mock courtroom allows children to visualize themselves in the courtroom, alleviates some of their anxieties, and allows them to engage with the flow of courtroom activities. Thanks to Josef Soper’s (Imagination Doll Houses for Children) generous, mostly self-funded donation, Safe Passage and Colorado’s 4th Judicial District Attorney’s Office are better equipped to assist children experiencing abuse and neglect to take charge of their narratives and be in better control of sharing their stories.

Human Services

El Paso County DHS strives to be effective and efficient and continues to seek ways to improve services and delivery. In July, Children, Youth and Family Services (CYFS) staff rolled out Binti, a software program designed to support and streamline foster and kinship home recruitment, certification, and recertification.

Binti is customized to match El Paso County’s provider certification process and needs. The program helps caseworkers organize their certification, recertification, and recruitment efforts digitally, increasing efficiency and organization.

The program also helps foster and kinship families navigate the provider certification process. Families have the option of completing requirements electronically, will easily be able to see where they are in the process, and will be notified of relevant upcoming deadlines that may impact their certification, such as an expiration date on their driver’s license. DHS is also working to roll out Binti in Spanish by the end of 2023, to promote equitable certification resources and options for Spanish-speaking families.

Many Colorado counties and Child Placement Agencies (CPAs) use Binti, as well as entities across the country. Binti will allow El Paso County DHS to continue to grow the county-based certification programs sustainably while providing the best possible experience for prospective and certified family caregivers.

There are approximately 572 youth currently in foster care in El Paso County, and there is always a need for foster families here and across Colorado. If you're interested in learning more about becoming a foster home or supporting foster families, visit the El Paso County Foster Care webpage.

Public Health

El Paso County Public Health

d easy access to recommended childhood and adult immunizations for parents and families who are seeking these resources.

Each year, partners across the county including churches, businesses, nonprofits, schools, and government come together to support thousands of families across El Paso County at the annual Backpack Bash back-to-school event. Kids who attend the Bash receive a free backpack, new school supplies, and the chance to learn more about community organizations that serve families and kids.

EPCPH joined the Backpack Bash again this year, offering low- and no-cost immunizations at Solid Rock Youth Center on Saturday, July 29 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The goal of partnering with this well-known community event is to bring services directly into the community, making immunizations and other resources easily available for those who wish to receive them.

If you missed the event and are looking for an easy way to get connected to vaccines, there are several options available:

Call EPCPH at (719) 578-3199, and select option 5 to speak with someone from our Immunizations program or to make an appointment. Learn more about the services and vaccines that EPCPH offers by visiting https://www.elpasocountyhealth.org/services/adult-child-immunizations

Did you know EPCPH also has a mobile outreach team which can provide immunizations at community events, churches, businesses, schools and more?

If you’re interested in scheduling the mobile outreach team, please fill out this form.

Environmental Services

On Saturday, June 10, 2023, the El Paso County Household Hazardous Waste Facility held the second of three scheduled Clean Sweep Events for 2023. These events are an opportunity for any member of the community to recycle hazardous materials for free, while diverting hazardous waste from the local landfills and the environment. The next available Clean Sweep Event is September 8, 2023. Reservations are required & fill fast: https://cleansweepsept2023.eventbrite.com/

JUNE 2023 CLEAN SWEEP STATS JUNE 2023 CLEAN SWEEP STATS

Economic Development

Please join us for this FREE El Paso County Small Business Resources Event to learn more about business resources and incentive programs available to small businesses in El Paso County The event is being held on Thursday, August 24, 2023, from 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. at the High Prairie Library Meeting Room, 7035 Meridian Rd, Peyton, CO 80831. This event is being hosted by Economic Development in conjunction with the Pikes Peak Small Business Development Center and the Better Business Bureau. We are inviting all small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs to attend! Register Here: EPCED.eventbrite.com

Are you ready for another school year? Homework, parent-teacher conferences, extracurricular activities, and playing the taxi driver from one event to the next. Get ready to gear up because this school year is right around the corner! As the saying goes, “An ounce of prevention beats a pound of cure”, especially true for academic success.

That’s why this month’s “In the Region” is focused on providing parents with the inside scoop on the various homework programs and tools available to support your child. Check out these tips and no-cost resources to help your student succeed this school year.

Way too often you hear from the student that they understood the content of the homework, but the exam scores don’t reflect the comprehension. Encourage your student to seek help from their teacher outside of class and on a regular basis. Most schools offer set times for students to seek additional during lunch, before school, or after school tutoring programs. It is important that you check in with the school periodically to ensure that all safety policies related to one-on-one help from teachers are being followed for your student.

In the Region

Committed to serving our community

Resources

Library 21c offers free math tutoring, check here for dates and details: https://ppld.librarymarket.com/free-math-tutoring-94. Online resources for homework help can be found at:

https://research.ppld.org/homework

Online Resources

Khan Academy: https://www khanacademy org/

Wolfram alpha: https://www.wolframalpha.com/ Bard: https://bard.google.com/

It’s our hope that you find this list to be a valuable resource and that your student’s school year is full of friends, fun, and academic success!

For an expanded version of this article, providing you with more information regarding resources, please visit:

https://www.elpasoco.com/wp-content/uploads/In-the-Region-Aug-2023.pdf

Pikes Peak Library District

Viewpoint

A collection of photos from the region

A u g u s t

01

YOGA IN THE PARK

5:30 - 6:30 p.m. | Bear Creek Regional Park

Enjoy an evening of yoga with Peaceful Warriors. Simultaneous kid/family OR adult-focused class offerings! All abilities welcome. | RSVP required

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PACT ACT CLAIMS CLINICS

NOON - 8:00 p.m. | US National Guard Recruiting & Readiness Center | Join us for a series of veteran claims clinics hosted by El Paso County Veterans Services and partners to file PACT Act claims for veterans and survivors.

08

PACT ACT CLAIMS CLINICS

NOON - 8:00 p m | US National Guard Recruiting & Readiness Center | Join us for a series of veteran claims clinics hosted by El Paso County Veterans Services and partners to file PACT Act claims for veterans and survivors

09

PACT ACT CLAIMS CLINICS

NOON - 8:00 p.m. | US National Guard Recruiting & Readiness Center | Join us for a series of veteran claims clinics hosted by El Paso County Veterans Services and partners to file PACT Act claims for veterans and survivors.

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HAPPY TRAILS FUNDRAISER

6:00 - 9:00 p m | Bear Creek Nature Center Join El Paso County Nature Centers for a special annual event This event helps support the Nature Centers and the future Fox Run Nature Center! | RSVP required

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BEAR CREEK A'BUZZ

10:00 a m - 2:00 p m | Bear Creek Nature Center

Watch beekeepers harvest honey from hives, see bees in action in their observation hive, and learn about the importance of bees and other pollinators