Welcome to the Chaffee County Human Services website. We offer a variety of services to our local communities, including Salida, Poncha Springs and Buena Vista.

Everyone in the community plays a role in the prevention of child abuse and neglect. Colorado has one toll-free phone number to report child abuse and neglect 24/7, 365 days a year. Please call the Colorado Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 1-844-CO-4-KIDS (1-844-264-5437) to report concerns about a child’s safety and well-being. All calls are confidential and will be routed to the county where a child resides.

If it is an emergency or you are witnessing a child in a life-threatening situation, call 911 immediately.

If you have a concern regarding Adult Protection, please call 719-530.2500 during normal business hours. After normal business hours, please call police dispatch at 719-539.2596 and your call will be routed to an on-call case worker.

Chaffee County Colorado Social ServicesChaffee County Department of Human Services

The Chaffee County Health and Human Services departments work together to advocate and provide for the health and wellness of our citizens. We provide responsive programs for the entire community, young and old.

Chaffee County Family & Youth Initiatives

Family & Youth Initiatives is a Prevention Division that serves 350 kids and families a year through mentoring, parenting programs, and teen educational/ activity programs. To find out more, visit Chaffee County FYI.

Chaffee County Salvation Army Bell Ringing

The local Salvation Army service unit is staffed by a committee comprised of Chaffee County DHS employees. The committee meets weekly to review applications for emergency assistance. During the holiday season, the committee organizes the traditional bell ringing campaign to raise money to fund the emergency assistance program.

Donations collected locally help individuals and families in need who live in Chaffee County. Only ten percent of the funds raised are kept by the parent organization, leaving ninety percent to directly help Chaffee County residents. Most assistance checks are used for housing needs, such as money for the first month rent or security deposit on a residence. Donations may prevent a family from being evicted or keep the gas and electricity on after a parent has fallen behind on rent due to a one-time illness or accident, for example. Find a time when you can help with Salvation Army Bell Ringing.