ALAMOSA — Children, youth, and their families who find themselves interacting with systems much larger than themselves — such as, for example, the Division of Youth Services (DYS), the foster care system, or other child protection services — may feel that they don’t have a voice or the understanding they need of how those systems work.  

In the state of Colorado, the Child Protection Ombudsman Program (CPO) of Colorado was created for exactly that reason. In CPO’s own words, they “serve by helping people find answers to their questions and solutions to their problems” and “help Coloradans navigate the complex child protection system and connect them with resources.”

If this sounds like news to the people of the San Luis Valley, that’s because, historically, people in the valley who could benefit from their services have not reached out for help.

Determined to change that and familiarize agencies in the valley with their services, staff from CPO recently spent an afternoon meeting with local organizations whose focus is on kids and their families, introducing their organizations and learning, in return, what organizations in the valley are offering.

CPO works independently of all other state agencies — including Colorado Department of Human Services, DYS, the court system and law enforcement — with a goal of improving services provided and experiences of youth and families impacted by those agencies and systems.

They are available to answer questions people may have that aren’t easily answered anywhere else, such as how a parent can get visits with their child, explaining who makes decisions about where a parent’s child lives, how the parent can advocate for their child, why their child was disciplined, how to get documents about their child’s case and what to do if they think their child is being hurt by someone.

CPO starts by, most importantly, listening to kids and parents in conversations that are free and confidential. They then investigate any concerns reported to them by any Coloradan about what’s happening with their case and the child protection system.

They then determine what is the best way to resolve the concerns they’ve heard, which might mean improving communications or resolving conflicts that are based on misunderstanding.

In terms of the bigger picture, CPO also identifies trends where the community’s needs have changed, and the system hasn’t had the funding or the resources or the organizational practices to keep up with the change.

As a result of that process, CPO will make public recommendations for a system to improve.

Finally, CPO takes what they’ve learned and meets with lawmakers, professionals and others to advocate for legislation and policies that bring lasting, positive change impacting the lives of children and families.

The best way for someone who needs to understand how systems work in a better way or has a concern about something that is happening is to reach out to CPO directly.

In the meeting they held with local groups, staff with CPO assured the group that there will be someone specifically assigned to the San Luis Valley to address concerns coming out of this area. They also emphasized that all conversations and concerns are held in the strictest of confidence.

Michael Teague, director of Public Affairs with CPO, provided more information to the Valley Courier. Beginning July 1, he says, CPO’s Client Services team that handles calls to their agency adopted a regional model that assigns each analyst to a specific region as outlined by the Colorado Human Services Directors Association (CHSDA). That team is led by Director of Client Services Amanda Pennington (cc’d) and attached is a map of the regions.

All calls — regardless of region — come in through CPO’s main intake line and then are assigned to the Client Services Analyst for the respective region.

CPO can be contacted in two ways, either by calling 720-625-8640 or by out a complaint online at https://coloradocpo.org

Local groups that attended the meeting included the Alamosa School District, the Center for Restorative Program, SLV Behavioral Health Group, Alamosa County Department of Human Services and Tu Casa. Aaron Miltenberger, executive director of the Boys and Girls Club of the SLV and board member of Child Protection Ombudsman of Colorado was also in attendance.