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Family Supportive Services

Alphabet Soup Family Support Group

  • Alphabet Soup Family Support Group is a support group for parents, caretakers or guardian of children with special needs or challenging behaviors.

  • The group meets monthly on the 1st Thursday of the month, 6:00 to 7:30 pm, at The Piñon Project, 210 E Main St., Cortez.

For more information please contact Ramona Kennedy at 970-564-3800.

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Circle of Parents - "Circles"

  • Circle of Parents® provides a friendly, supportive community led by parents and other caregivers where parents are the experts.

For more information, contact Ramona (Alphabet Soup group) at 970.564.3800Kerri (Parents in Recovery group) at 970.564.3803.

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Colorado Community Response Program (CCR)

  • The Colorado Community Response Program is implemented through a grant from the Department of Human Services, Office of Early Childhood.

  • The program's goals include the enhancement of comprehensive voluntary services for families reported to child protective services but screened out; the increased awareness of the link between poverty and maltreatment, which allows us to connect families to vital economic and other support services.

  • Financial Health education guides people to become more aware of how they use their finances and economic resources and ultimately how their decisions, behaviors, routines and habits impact their overall well-being. Participants also become more aware of the individuality of their goals and personal values; and what factors, personal behaviors, and decisions in their daily lives affect the achievement of those goals.

For more information, please contact Lucia Bueno-Valdez at 970.564.3810.

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Emergency Services

  • The Montelores Emergency Assistance Coalition (MEAC) provides financial assistance to residents of Montezuma and Dolores Counties who are usually self-sufficient but are experiencing a one-time emergency; such as:

    • Need for a security deposit

    • Past due rent/mortgage

    • Past due heating/utility bill (assistance provided through the Energy Outreach Colorado program)

    • Car repairs (vehicle cannot be more than 10 years old)

  • The Piñon Project serves as the fiscal agent and administrator for the MEAC program.

  • The program's Board is made up of representatives of various local service agencies and organizations working together in a community-based effort.

  • To apply, please contact Katrina Ruiz at 970.564.3815 to make an appointment.​

    • At the time of your appointment you will need:

      • a Colorado Driver's License or Identification Card,

      • income verification for the past 30 days,

      • supporting documentation (past due bill/statement, written statement from landlord), 

For more information, please contact Katrina Ruiz at 970.564.3815

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Successful Families (SuFam)

  • This program is designed for expectant parents and parents of children, birth to age five (5). Program participants meet Monday through Thursday, and lunch is provided.

  • The SuFam program components include: 

    • "Survive, Strive, Thrive" - Keys to Healthy Family Living curriculum, a 15-unit curriculum that takes teens and adults from day-to-day surviving to thriving at home, at school, at work and in their communities by teaching basic life skills.

    • Employment Readiness

    • Financial Health

    • Parenting - The Incredible Years (IY) Curriculum is designed to promote nurturing and competent parenting that fosters positive social behaviors in children. 

    • Cooking and Nutrition - Eating Smart Being Active (ESBA), an eight (8) week cooking and nutrition class. Participants cook delicious meals on a budget, as well as getting small gifts to put what they have learned into practice. 

​For more information, please contact Della Gray at 970.564.3817.

Fatherhood Program

  • This 13- week evidence-based curriculum offers all men seeking improved attitude and skills for themselves and children an opportunity to collaborate with other men seeking the same.

  • Fatherhood is able to offer this support to men both in this group setting or according to individualized needs.

  • The Fatherhood Initiative is a course destined to help fathers develop the skills needed to be successful parents.

  • All fathers are welcome to join this program at any time.

  • Fathers will receive support in communicating effectively; being a loving father, spouse or partner; how to deal with children's challenging behavior.

For more information, please contact Joey Arellano at 970.564.3814.

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Incredible Years Parenting Group

  • The Incredible Years Parenting Class is a weekly, 8-14 week long course for parents with children 0 to 12 years of age.

  • All classes include a fee meal for the family, free transportation for those who qualify, and free childcare and social emotional instruction for participating children.

  • Classes teach parent positive ways of interacting with their children. 

  • Discussion sessions include topics such as:

    • current challenges parents are facing

    • social skills development and academic coaching

    • ways to reinforce desired behaviors 

    • positive discipline techniques

    • resource connections within the community

  • Classes may be held in Cortez, Mancos, Dolores, Dove Creek or Towaoc.

  • Curriculum can also be offered as an individual home visit format.

For more information, please contact the Early Childhood Programs Department at 970.564.3800.

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Strengthening Families Parenting Program

  • The Strengthening Families Parenting Class is a weekly, 12-13 week long, course that give caregivers and their 7-17 year old youth an opportunity to build a more positive relationship.

  • Families learn skills to develop positive interactions with each other; support their teens in positive social situation; and effective ways to share knowledge, resources and experience with other families.

  • The class is for teens and parents.

  • Dinner and childcare for children under 7 are provided free of charge. 

For more information please call 970-564-1195.

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Supervised Visitation and Safe Exchange

  • The Supervised Visitation Program provides a safe, monitored environment for child(ren) to maintain or establish a relationship with a non-custodial parent while the parent resolves court or lifestyle issues. 

  • The Safe Exchange Program provides a neutral location in which child(ren) may be exchanged from one parent to another without being exposed to the conflict of their parents.

For more information, please call 970.564.1195.

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Work and Gainful Employment and Education Skills (WAGEES)

  • Program available to serve individuals who are currently on parole.

  • WAGEES case managers work with individuals to build upon their strengths while helping them to break through any barriers that could hinder having a successful live in the community where they live.

  • Case managers can assist with:

    • obtaining legal documents; such as birth certificates, social security cards, identification cards and reinstatement of driver's license for employment opportunities;

    • resume building;

    • searching for educational opportunities, such as GED or continuing education;

    • searching for housing;

    • seeking employment and employment placement;

    • providing employment tools and/or employment-related needs;

    • providing transportation in the form of a bike or scheduling rides.

For more information, please contact Kerri Beattie at 970.564.3803.​

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