October 2023

Farewell Pam Temple

Pam Temple is retiring after 30 years with the State of Colorado and most of that being with the Division of Youth Services with her most recent position as a Program Assistant II for the DYS Education Work Unit. Prior to coming to DYS, Pam worked at CYDC so her work has always been in support of youth in Colorado and supporting everyone who supports Colorado youth. Pam has outlasted multiple supervisors in her tenure and most recently, successfully moved the Education team to digital processes and folders. Pam's wealth of knowledge and abilities will be missed!

Please join us in honor of Pam's dedication to DYS and her legacy at our Chili Cook off on October 31st . Pam is the reigning CDHS Chili Cook Off Champion and she is bringing her best chili to keep her title.

Thanksgiving Harvey Baskets

Back by popular demand, our EAC will be joining efforts with the Central Region office to compile baskets of Thanksgiving feast items for some of our DYS families in need this season. Our office has generously donated in the past and we have committed to sending 3 baskets total. Each basket will need the same amount of items.

Please click the HARVEY BASKET SIGN UP SHEET to sign up to bring some items. We will have a box outside of the Director's Office door to collect items. If you prefer to donate financially, please bring cash or you can Venmo Sara Kahat at @Sara-Kahat and we will use the cash for items we did not receive.

Thank you for helping the team make a difference for these families.

Employee of the Month - October

Sara Kahat - Director's Office, Program Assistant

About Sara:

My husband, Shawn, and I have a blended family including five kids and five dogs. We currently have three seniors in high school and are looking forward to graduation next year. As a family we have fun traveling on road trips and visiting family out of state. I am currently planning on taking a bucket list trip to Spain for my 50th birthday.

I love martial arts and recently achieved my third degree black belt ranking in American Tae Kwon Do. I teach karate and kickboxing and am studying to instruct yoga. I really enjoy going to the gym early in the morning (like 4:30 am).

My mom inspired me to seek government employment. She was a director at Wheat Ridge Regional Center and absolutely loved her job. I am a Colorado native, have worked for the State for 13 years and I love being a part of DYS. I am thankful to know that my role as Program Assistant helps people to help people.

I am a passionate animal rights activist and enjoy visiting animal sanctuaries and fundraising for animal shelters. My dog, Oscar, is my very bestest friend who follows me everywhere and I would do anything for him. If I were to ever win a million bazillion dollars in the lottery I would buy a huge plot of land in the Colorado mountains and open a farm animal sanctuary/yoga retreat/bed and breakfast. Please come and see me when that happens.

Also of note, I love Pittsburgh Steelers football. GO STEELERS!🖤💛

Sara's nominator described her as intelligent, passionate, caring, and understanding ❤️

October Birthdays

Cyndi Kuhn

Irwin Faaiu

Marina Patzke

Julia Dawson

Sara Kahat

Ratha Chiwapong

Ashleigh Cross

Fall Wellness Challenge 2023

You may not know this, but the DYS Central Admin office has TWO groups of elite athletes taking part in a wellness/fitness challenge. These individuals are making fitness goals, logging activities and earning badges as a team. There are 82 teams participating in this year's challenge. Check out the current rankings:

Assessment Team Ranked 7: Theresa B.L., Marisa B., Jenny A., Carl B., Dana M, Maggie W., Jonelle S. and Jannae B.

Central Administration Team Ranked 14: Ratha C., Jeremy H., Amanda L., Marina P., Erin O., Adrienne G. , Elisa H., Michael M., Becca E., Lisa M., Tessa R. and Sara K.

Welcome to our newest team member

Erin Downing

Budget Analyst

Some tips to keep in mind:

Experiencing loss is a natural part of life. How we deal with loss influences our personal and professional experiences and existence.

What organizational losses has DYS experienced over the years?

How do we personally and collectively recognize and validate loss?

How do you adapt and change in light of experiencing loss?

Loss - A Component of SELF October Theme

Text courtesy of Elisa C. Hicks - MSW, MA, CJSP

NCCHC Coordinator, BHMS

The entire course of our development is one of constant adaptation and change which is aimed at unfolding individual human potential. We have all experienced loss along the path of development, from relationships, attachments, friends, family, jobs, etc. Every new developmental (and life) experience means learning something new and giving up something old. This constant adaptation to changing conditions/environments is one of humanity's most difficult challenges.

These processes are mirrored in organizations. A healthy organization realizes that change is constant and that the organization must adapt to meet the demands of a changing world. There is a fundamental understanding that all change entails some level of risk, and leaders must be willing to tolerate and accept a reasonable level of risk. At the same time, realizing that change is difficult and that all change is accompanied by loss.

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