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Division of Youth Services
Central Office Sanctuary Certification
Central Office Sanctuary Certification
DYS Central Office has achieved Sanctuary Certification!
The Sanctuary faculty’s decision to certify the Central Office was rooted in key strengths they observed across all four pillars during their visit. In their feedback, they specifically highlighted:
Knowledge and Commitment: The Central Office evidenced a strong knowledge of the Sanctuary Model and a clear commitment to utilizing it in our services to youth, as well as in our interactions and support of one another.
Modeling Shared Practices: The faculty noted the Central Office’s dedication to the work and mission of the team, particularly in how we model shared practices.
The Parallel Process: The Central Office's ability to build trust and engage in difficult conversations. The faculty identified this as a powerful "Parallel Process," noting that the way we function as a team directly and positively impacts the multiple youth centers and regional offices we operate.
This achievement is a direct reflection of the dedication, hard work and commitment our Central Office staff brings to the Division every day. Your work has contributed to a trauma-responsive, values-driven culture that promotes accountability and positive youth development, leading to a safer Colorado.
Congratulations, Central Office team.
What's New:
Employee of the Month has been announced on our March newsletter!
Department/Staff Spotlight Section: Get to know more about our friend Amanda Laurner!👥
Employee Help Page: Our Employee Help Page is now live! Check out who to contact if you need support, and other helpful resources can be found here.
Check out the monthly newsletter which includes Employee of the Month, highlights from the previous months, staff birthdays and more!
NEW!!! March 2026
Editor's Choice
Editor's Choice
Recipe for copy cat Shamrock Shakes
Ingredients
Ingredients
4 (1/4-c.) scoops vanilla ice cream
1/2 cup whole milk
1/4 tsp. peppermint extract
6 drops green food coloring
Whipped cream and a maraschino cherry, for topping
Directions
Step 1
In a blender, blend ice cream, milk, peppermint extract, and food coloring until smooth.
Step 2
Pour milkshake into a glass. Top with whipped cream. Garnish with a cherry.
Central Admin Spotlight
Central Admin Spotlight
What is your favorite book/movie/podcast?
"The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy is my comfort go-to for movies, and I'm enjoying reading any fantasy series Book-Tok suggests (I'm not ashamed to admit it!)"
Amanda Launer
Amanda Launer
Systems Administrator
Amanda is a Systems Administrator for TRAILS and OnBase. She has been with The Divison of Youth Services for 5.5 years. A Colorado Native, Amanda grew up in Littleton, Colorado.
" I love to travel (as you can probably tell from the photos), New Zealand at this point feels like a second home to me (and hopefully a future home!). I also enjoy cooking, trying new recipes always brings me joy."
If you could live in any era, which would it be and why?
"I've always found the 1940s to be very romantic, possibly because of how my grandparent's met and fell in love, so I think that would be mine."
Commitment to Social Learning
Commitment to Social Learning
March Theme
Text courtesy of Elisa C. Hicks - MSW, MA, CJSP
(former) NCCHC Coordinator, BHMS
The Commitment to Social Learning is focused on a "living-learning" environment; learning how to make better decisions and perform more creatively in teams, even under the impact of stress, is more important today than ever before. Our social environments are changing at a pace never seen before.
Human service organizations know that in order to accomplish their mission of promoting growth and change in clients, they need to continuously learn how to do the work more effectively. Individuals and organizations learn from experience and preexisting knowledge and make healthy adaptations to changing conditions.
Some tips to keep in mind:
We all learn from each other, our emotions, and our environment. How are you contributing to this process?
We all need to recognize and own our emotions while we learn to understand the emotions of others. How does this process help or hinder our daily interactions?
Virtual Lobby Monitor
Virtual Lobby Monitor
Central Office Sanctuary Display
The Central Administration Office Sanctuary digital display is up and running. Take a few minutes to check it out when you come into the building and remember we need your content.
Please send content that you and your unit would like to share to matice.mascarenas@state.co.us or fitzgerald.clark@state.co.us
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When was the last time you stepped away from your computer? Your phone?
Have you eaten a snack? Have you even drank water!?
Too many times we are caught up in our daily to-do's, we forget to put a pause on things and practice self care. Please take a moment from your bustling work day to test your knowledge of your own co-workers!! How many names and faces can you match with their Title and Department?
Stay in the know with your EAC
The Central Administration Office Employee Appreciation Committee plans events often and we don't want you to miss out. Check the calendar for events coming up and join us for lunch bunch monthly. 👉 Our office gatherings are always a fun and engaging way to communicate with the team.
Meet your Employee Appreciation Committee!
Meet your Employee Appreciation Committee!
Interested in joining?
The Employee Appreciation Commitee would like to invite all staff to join the group. We have some new faces around since we started this journey and hope you might want to participate.
Ask yourself:
Do you enjoy planning events?
Do you want to be more engaged with the Central Office team?
Do you love celebrating the amazing work that DYS does every day?
If your answer is yes to any or all of these questions, please consider being a part of the EAC. Contact an EAC member to join
Your Central Office Safety committee is dedicated to keeping our workspace safe. The group has been evaluating our workspace and identifying needs related to physical, psychological, social and moral safety. Keep your eyes peeled for updates and please feel free to send suggestions to the team. We work best together!
Central Office Safety Committee Suggestion Box
Please send your safety committee any suggestions you may have about how to keep our work environment safe for all
More information on the Fire Safety Committee coming soon.....
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