The sign for YouthZone on its Glenwood Springs building.

Garfield County grants YouthZone $67,500

PRESS RELEASE
January 21, 2022

Garfield County has approved a grant for $67,500 to YouthZone to help keep its Juvenile Diversion Program operating in 2022. The overall ask was for $75,000 and the county had already budgeted $67,500 for YouthZone last fall. The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) requested that the nonprofit return later in the year if the additional $7,500 was still needed at that time.

Jami Hayes, YouthZone executive director, told the board that the nonprofit provides substance abuse interventions, tools, and resources, including intensive counseling and therapy, to reduce risks and promote strong mental health for the community’s youth.

“We increase the probability of success in their future,” she said. “We support the entire family unit and promote healthy family stability in the home and in relationships. This is the core of our work with youth and their families.”

YouthZone screens youth for a risk assessment related to substance abuse; positive development; optimism and problem solving; school and community involvement; delinquency and aggression; and self-deprecation, Hayes added.

“This screening is absolutely the anchor in our work,” she told the board.

“They’re really doing good work and are successful,” said Commissioner Mike Samson. “We’d be hard-pressed to find a program of this nature that’s as successful.”

The grant was approved unanimously, 3-0.

Deimler joins planning commission
Garfield County has addressed vacancies on its planning commission and welcomes aboard a new face to join existing serving members. Mike Deimler has been appointed to the commission as an associate member after moving to Silt recently from the Front Range.

Existing members Greg McKennis and Steve Kyle are returning to the commission, while Matt Langhorst and Lee Damuth have decided not to sign on for another term. McKennis, Kyle, and Deimler’s terms run through Dec. 31, 2024.

Deimler most recently lived in Larimer County and has experience serving on a sign commission, zoning board of appeals, planning commission, and a home-owners association in the Midwest.

Jarman Smith is moving up to full member status to fulfill a statutory requirement that a member be present on both the planning commission and the Garfield County Board of Adjustment. Brett Jolley also has increased his role to full member on the commission.

The board of adjustment welcomes back Brad Jordan, Daniel Adams, and Russell Talbot as full members with terms expiring Dec. 31, 2024.

All appointments were approved by the BOCC unanimously, 3-0.

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