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Employee of the Month - February
Employee of the Month - February
Dana Marquez, Legal Specialist
BHMS Assessments
Dana's job duties are innumerable, and highlight the Five Key Strategies in multiple ways, and for this nomination, that specifically includes reviewing mittimuses from Colorado Judicial Districts when juveniles are committed and recommitted to DYS. Dana compares the mittimuses with petition information in the Colorado State Courts - Data Access to ensure they match and that sentences and charges are correctly reflected and legal. Oftentimes, corrections are needed not just to make the sources match but to also make them sensicle. Dana corresponds with the Courts to make sure corrections are made if needed, often with a very quick turnaround. Overall, Dana serves as a quiet gatekeeper who provides gentle auditing and steady guidance for all who work with her. Dana’s work is extremely valued and impactful; on behalf of all Coloradans, thank you Dana!
Sanctuary Spotlight
Emotional Intelligence: For many years and as a continued effort, Dana has regularly caught mistakes made by the Courts, promptly corresponds with them about needed corrections, and delivers the updated information to the DYS Statewide Assessment Services team. Court information is included in a comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment report, which, in part, determines a committed juvenile’s level of security and projected length of stay for placement and treatment. The magnitude of Dana’s work results in significant impacts and outcomes in the lives of committed juveniles, their families, victims, communities at large, and involved stakeholders, because Dana screens for and ensures the accuracy of legal sentences.
Social Learning: Dana prides herself on staying up to date with the Colorado Children’s Code to make sure legal charges are accurately captured when juveniles are committed and recommitted to DYS. She is extremely versed in legal nuances related to committing charges, sentence enhancers, and overall sentence logistics. She also completes monthly internal quality assurance for the DYS Statewide Assessment Services team to ensure information regarding juvenile commitments and recommitments is entered in various databases accurately and on time.
Democracy: Dana’s consistent expertise, attention to detail, timeliness, and ongoing relationships with court clerks deem her a valued liaison between the Colorado Judicial Districts and the DYS Statewide Assessment Services team. She catches mistakes in court documents and databases and gets them corrected well before they could negatively impact a juvenile’s assessment, placement, treatment, and parole. This directly positively impacts juveniles, their families, victims, communities at large, and involved stakeholders by remedying beforehand what could otherwise cause significant legal, social, and other various ramifications. Dana does her job duties above and beyond standard execution, leaving state government better than she finds it, and delivering results that directly impact the lives of Coloradans
Do you know a Central Admin staff that goes above and beyond for DYS? Nominate them to be the next Employee of the Month here ! Our nomination form opens on the last Friday of the month
What's New?
What's New?
New DYS Business Plan
New DYS Business Plan
Great things are coming to DYS! On March 18th Alex sent an announcement diving into all the exciting changes coming with the next fiscal year. Here are some highlights from his email:
Updated Operational Focus
We are working to identify updates to our facilities and our staffing models to ensure we continue providing a safe and professional environment for staff and youth. We want to ensure that all DYS staff have the tools, training and resources to succeed in their careers. We know that when we invest in our staff, we can truly transform the lives of the young people we serve. We plan to achieve these goals through:
Improving building security and building maintenance
Expanding the use of technology to enhance safety for staff and youth and help streamline workloads (e.g., user-friendly databases and case management tool, and additional security tools)
Creating clear job descriptions and clear career paths for our colleagues who want to build a lifelong career with DYS
Standardizing our policies across the Division, including our youth level system and disciplinary processOrganizational Restructure
The DYS Central Office is now defined by four specialized units:
Youth Center Operations
Regional and Community Partnerships
Health and Education Services
Administrative Operations
These units will be led by an associate director and staffed with administrators to manage essential functions and enhance efficiency, accountability and delivery of services. We will also be creating new specialized roles, such as the Security Operations Administrator, to oversee all security-related issues in our youth centers. Additionally, we will continue to assess and review our central office structure to ensure we have the right roles and teams to support all staff across the Division.
Refined Vision and Mission
A new mission statement that focuses on promoting public safety through effective, youth-focused care, programming and supervision that supports successful reintegration into communities.
New Measurable Objectives
We want to be transparent and hold ourselves accountable to the work we are trying to achieve. To accomplish this, we are creating new short-term (1-year) and long-term (3-year) objectives. These objectives are focused on:
Safe and stable environment for youth and staff
Increasing staff hiring and retention
Enhancing security
Standardizing practices across all youth centers
This new chapter of DYS is going to be a process to build. The Director's Office invites you to share your feedback, thoughts and ideas with leaders across the division to help implement these changes. More information about implementing the plan for this shift will be coming soon!
Save the Date
Save the Date
Central Administration KEEP session has officially been scheduled for Tuesday, May 5th. Plan to walk over to the auditorium at the hospital on Fort Logan Campus around 11:15am. Also, be prepared for a possible office shenanigan brought to you by your EAC.. 🪅
DYS KEEP Session Calendar
DYS KEEP Session Calendar
DYS Annual Report
DYS Annual Report
The Division of Youth Services is excited to present the Annual Report for the fiscal year 2024-25. This report offers a comprehensive overview of the youth population, programs, staff impact, notable trends and achievements. Additionally, we are eager to showcase our favorite section, featuring youth-centered stories that highlight resilience, dedication to treatment and education, and the remarkable successes attained by our youth.
New email signatures
We learned recently that our new office of Residential and Reintegration Services will not be receiving a new logo. If you haven't yet, please format your email signature with our CDHS-DYS logo banner. Examples of how your signature should look can be found on this document . Everyone is expected to have their email signatures updated by April 1st.
Movin' on Up... or Down?
Michael McAuliffe, our new Interim Associate Director of Business Administration, has moved offices in building 42! You can now find him on the first floor in the Director's Office.
State of Health Program - Reclaim Your Life!
State of Health Program - Reclaim Your Life!
STATE OF HEALTH is a transformational program designed to improve the health of State employees. Offered at no cost to employees enrolled in one of the State’s medical insurance plans, this program is designed to support everyone, from healthy individuals with no risk factors to those living with one or more chronic conditions.
As an added reward, all participants are eligible for a $20 monthly premium discount when you complete the simple steps of your Action Plan within the two and a half months of its deadline.
Enrollment in Colorado STATE OF HEALTH occurs three times throughout the year, with cycles beginning in January, May, and September. Applications are encouraged the month prior to the start of each cycle to allow time for participants to be set up with a health coach, if applicable.
No matter the personal health journey you are on, we invite you to enroll in this new program so you too can invest in yourself and reclaim your health. Start by applying at coloradostateofhealth.com, create an account to access the STATE OF HEALTH portal, and begin reclaiming your health once your cycle kicks off.
Questions?
Contact statewellness@healthbreakinc.com for any questions.
Birthdays
Birthdays
🪙March
🪙March
🍀Mike Walter
🍀Jonelle Sandel
🍀Kelsey Landstrom
🍀Rita Dasari
🍀Charles Tyous
🍀Taylor Garza
🍀Lisa Martin
🍀Tyler Brewer
🍀Adrienne Grolbert
Years of Service
Years of Service
March
March
🍀Allan Hutcheson 10 Years
Melinda Holt 15 Years🌈
For more information on the Years of Service program, visit the Employee Rewards and Recognition intranet page, where you will find a Years of Service program guide (PDF), or email CDHS_HumanResources@state.co.us
DYSWINS 🙌
DYSWINS 🙌
This section is for staff Kudos! 👍
Eileen Doyle-Samay - Eileen assisted me with getting 3 former Youth into our system so we can pay them to speak at an upcoming in-service for out Regional Office staff. Thanks for the help
Edwin Rodriguez and Jenny Christian- Edwin and Jenny have been working hard to help Erin Osterhaus and Lookout Mountain build an education program from scratch. They have created and posted over 25 brand new positions! Wow! Way to go, team 💚
Erin Osterhaus -Erin has been focused on getting a brand new education Program up and running for Lookout. She has been writing position descriptions for over 25 new positions. Thank you for all that you do for DYS, Erin!
Please use this form to submit some Kudos to be featured in next month's Newsletter
Sanctuary Commitment
Sanctuary Commitment
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?
People - Centered Practices 👥
People - Centered Practices 👥
One of the tools that we utilize in DYS is collaborative decision making. It is not the only way decisions are made but often within our workspaces, a group of people will discuss an issue and come to a collective understanding of the solution or response needed. There will be decisions, due to the nature of the issue or the time frame needed for a response, that is not conducive to a collaborative decision but is most suited for a leader directed response.
We often do collaborative decision making informally as things pop up. Sometimes we have formal spaces such as the Collaborative Review Teams, or team meetings where this is done.
The collaborative decision making process, when there is time for it, is often a much superior way of finding solutions and responding to challenges than having one person make the decision. It utilizes the Sanctuary commitment of Open Communication and the EDI value and practice of Inclusion.
Think about how you can implement or improve the collaborative decision making within your team. If you need help in understanding the process, please reach out to Fitzgerald Clark for assistance.
EDI Thought for the month: Collaborative Decision Making
By Fitzgerald Clark, DYS Director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Some of the benefits of collaborative decision making include:
Correctly identifying the issue to be addressed. Different people may each have a different view of the issues at hand. Sometimes because of our particular life experience, or our different professional role, or our closeness to the persons or events involved. Having all the stakeholders involved helps us to have a much fuller understanding of the issues that need addressing.
Soliciting all voices on possible solutions. Often in collaborative spaces the loudest or most “important” voices go first and the group never gets around to getting everyone’s perspective before moving to solutions. I have often noticed that just one or two perspectives are shared and then the conversation flips to how to implement one of these first two suggestions. This can unknowingly leave the best suggestion unheard because it doesn’t come from the loudest or most “important” voice in the room.
Discuss and evaluate. This step is where the wisdom of the group is found. You should always seek consensus and only if that is not feasible would you move towards a majority rule, or leader directed decision.
Staff Satisfaction. When done well, this is an inclusive process that allows people to feel like their voice matters regardless of the outcome. It increases employee satisfaction and engagement because they know that their voice matters and that they contribute to the decisions that are being made.
March is Women’s History Month, providing a vital opportunity to reflect on the struggles for equality and honor the immense contributions of women to American history, culture and society.
We reflect with appreciation on those who fought to secure women the right to vote with the ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920. We honor Catherine Brewer and Mary Jane Patterson, the first woman and African-American woman, respectively, to earn Bachelor's degrees in the United States, showing that academia was a space for women as well as men.
We honor the attendees at the first Women’s Rights Convention in Seneca Falls in 1848 and the appointment of Sandra Day O’Connor as the first woman on the Supreme Court of the United States.
Beyond acknowledging our past, we appreciate our present opportunity. The opportunity we have, as DYS employees, brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, mothers, and fathers, to work with, befriend, and care deeply for the many women in our lives.
In March, we also focus on Social Learning for our Sanctuary commitment. One of the ways we practice this is by learning together. We learn from each other and with each other. We learn in our workspaces, from observing our co-workers, and from just being human in our world.
Let’s continue to build spaces of mutual respect through a culture of support, inclusion and courage. We are committed to an environment that promotes healing, growth and encouragement for all the people we serve at DYS.
Resources
Links to resources, lessons, history, events and more:
National Women’s History Month Resources
National Women's History Museum Awareness Resources
National Women's History Alliance
Smithsonian’s Women’s History Month
History.com Women’s History Month
National Women’s History Museum Resources
Teach Starter Women’s History Month Resources
NEA Women’s History Month Resources
The Center for Colorado Women’s History
Events to honor Women’s History Month
HerStory 2026 Artists' Reception
Summit County Women of Distinction Luncheon
Colorado Springs History Stroll: Women’s Voices, Women’s Lives
World Denver International Women’s Day
Douglas County Legendary Ladies of Colorado
Grand Junction Seasons: Women's Conference
In other news... 📰
In other news... 📰
Celebrating Women's History Month: Melissa Stapanowich Helps Youth Reach Their Potential
Celebrating Women's History Month: Melissa Stapanowich Helps Youth Reach Their Potential
Pictured above: Left, Melissa Stapanowich jots down notes on a clipboard; top row, Melissa poses with staff and youth at a Run Club event; bottom row, Melissa coaches a youth. Youths' faces are covered to protect their identity.
During Women’s History Month, The Belonging Project is celebrating women at CDHS who have been recognized and honored by their co-workers.
Melissa Stapanowich is our program assistant at Zebulon Pike Youth Services Center (ZPYSC). She has been the pioneer for organizing ZPYSC's Run Club, a program where youth are able to engage in rigorous physical activity multiple times a week. Melissa has also used her influence to help other facilities throughout Colorado start their own versions of Run Club. For years, she has inspired youth to reach their potential. Her influence has been so great that one of our youth has run 500 miles in his time at our facility! Melissa has also coordinated competitive meets with other facilities.
In recognition of her work, Melissa received Nexstar's Remarkable Woman Award for 2025 in Los Angeles. Of the 12,000 women nominated for this award, she was one of three chosen from Colorado. Ms. Melissa, as ZPYSC youth call her, is goal-driven and extremely focused in helping others achieve their goals. She raises the bar for proficiency, competency, execution and professionalism with all her co-workers by being someone who leads by example. Melissa is all about handling business and getting things done in a disciplined, well-thought-out and organized manner. We at ZPYSC greatly appreciate everything that she does.
Remembering Gil Cesneros 🕊️
Remembering Gil Cesneros 🕊️
It is with heavy hearts that we share that CDHS staff member Gil Jose Cisneros passed away on Monday, March 2. Gil was a long-time member of the Gilliam Youth Services Center team, and contributed his talent and expertise to the Dining Services team for nearly a quarter-century. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, teammates and community as we both celebrate his legacy and mourn his loss.
Gil is remembered as someone who was thoughtful, dependable and steady, with a positive spirit that made him deeply respected and loved by staff and youth alike. Gil was always willing to go above and beyond to support his colleagues, and brought great pride and professionalism to his work. As Gil would say, “Food is power.” He shared his passion for creating meals that nourished both the body and spirit to all those around him.
As his team states: “Working with high-risk youth in the juvenile justice system requires patience, kindness and a deep commitment to service. Gil embodied all of these qualities. He believed in the importance of caring for an underserved population and approached every meal with purpose, putting his heart and soul into each dish he prepared. Whether serving breakfast, lunch or dinner, Gil met staff and youth alike with a warm smile and a welcoming presence.”
Beyond the kitchen, Gil deeply loved his family, and found joy throughout his life in playing chess and watching sports, especially basketball. He was a true Denver Broncos fan, and formed many lasting friendships in his community.
Gil also served honorably in the U.S. Navy from April 3, 1986, to Sept. 19, 1990, as a culinary specialist stationed at Great Lakes Naval Training Center in Monterey, Calif. He also served on the USS Cimmaron, where he supported vital naval operations and represented the United States with honor in countries around the world.
Gil touched the lives of countless individuals over his lifetime, and his contributions to Gilliam, the Department, his community and his country are immeasurable. His legacy lives on not only at Gilliam, but in the many lives he touched with his care, compassion and generosity of spirit.
It was a privilege to have Gil as part of CDHS. He will be deeply missed, and his contributions will never be forgotten.
Gil’s full obituary can be found here.
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