Douglas County

Do you know Douglas County? Watch this video to find out what drives our work every day. https://lnkd.in/gsmC8hEK

We’re remembering a community hero as our crews install the Kendrick Castillo Way street signs along the former Lucent Boulevard. As part of the ongoing mission to memorialize Kendrick – who was killed May 7, 2019, during his senior year of high school, having sacrificed his own life to save fellow students amid a school shooting – the Kendrick Castillo Memorial Oversight Committee requested a street name change, which the Board of Douglas County Commissioners approved earlier this year. The entirety of Lucent Boulevard, from County Line Road to South Broadway, is officially Kendrick Castillo Way. https://lnkd.in/gAsWd5XX

What we learned from COVID, solutions to homelessness and giving every child a healthy start. Read more in this Direct from the Board newsletter: https://lnkd.in/gxzHUJuf

You know that ending homelessness in our community is an ongoing effort. It’s also a community effort. This week, the Board of Douglas County Commissioners honored another powerful partnership for ending homelessness. The partnership – with Arapahoe County and The Family Tree – expands the Generational Opportunities to Achieve Long-term Success (GOALS) program, offering the first-ever countywide resource specifically for families with children experiencing homelessness. https://lnkd.in/gCymCF3w

Few careers ask us to put our lives on the line, but for the men and women who keep our roadways safe, it’s a daily reality. The Board of Douglas County Commissioners officially recognizes the week of Nov. 18, Crash Responder Safety Week, to promote the safety of first responders and road crews. We have many partners who work to keep us all safe on the road including Douglas County Sheriff's Office, Colorado State Patrol, municipal police departments, Colorado Department of Transportation, paramedics and EMT workers, our public works and roads employees, construction workers and tow truck drivers. Remember your part while you’re on the roads: -Drive sober and always have a designated driver. Nearly one-third of all roadway deaths are caused by impaired drivers. -Never drive distracted. Beginning Jan. 1, 2025, drivers are prohibited from using cell phones without a hands-free accessory. -Move Over. Colorado’s Move Over Law requires all vehicles to move over a lane when there is a law enforcement or disabled vehicle (with hazards on) on the side of the road. If it’s impossible to safely move over, drivers must slow down 20 mph below the posted limit. -Slow for the Cone Zone. Drive with caution, respect lower speed limits and watch for workers. And remember, most crashes are preventable. Visit CDOTs webpage for more information about Crash Responder Safety Week: https://lnkd.in/gERTgMrc

The Board of Douglas County Commissioners has selected 19 non-profit programs to share $135,000 in grant funds from the County’s 2024 portion of the Philip S. Miller Trust. Together, these vital programs cast a wide safety net throughout the County by delivering programs and services such as suicide prevention, therapy, medical assistance, mental health, emergency financial assistance and support for seniors and school-age children. See all grant recipients: https://lnkd.in/gRBwqik3

If you’ve been to downtown Castle Rock, you’ve likely seen the Veterans Monument near the intersection of Fourth and Wilcox streets. But did you know the Douglas County Veterans Monument Foundation is still working to help Douglas County’s 27,000 Veterans? The Foundation has raised nearly $70,000 to provide Veterans with housing resources, helping to reach Functional Zero for Veteran homelessness in Douglas County. For that, we are so grateful. Homelessness can be solved when we work in partnership. In Douglas County, homelessness for Veterans is rare and brief, thanks to quality data and working together. ??Read more about Veteran homelessness in Douglas County:? https://lnkd.in/gdbw_GUA

What can you do to take charge of your mental and physical health this holiday season? Read your Douglas County Health Department’s latest newsletter to get to know the resources available to you and your family:? https://lnkd.in/gDJAAher

For those in our community who have bravely served our nation, supportive services, including housing resources, are readily available through the VA. Since January of 2023, the VA has helped house 64% of homeless Veterans in Douglas County, helping us reach Functional Zero for Veteran homelessness. We are grateful for the VA’s service to our community. Homelessness can be solved when we work in partnership. In Douglas County, homelessness for Veterans is rare and brief, thanks to quality data and working together. ?? Read more about Veteran homelessness in Douglas County: https://lnkd.in/gdbw_GUA

Most of us can’t imagine the unseen scars of combat and military service. Yet, we know it’s so vital to ensure our Veterans get the mental health services they need. Our Board of County Commissioners dedicated $404,300 of our federal American Rescue Plan Act funding to mental health services specifically for Veterans. This funding supports a dedicated Veteran Service Officer to help Veterans access Mental Health Resources, and a dedicated Veteran clinician to render clinical mental health services to Veterans in need. So far this year, more than 50 Veterans have been served by the Veteran clinician – offered through a partnership with AllHealth Network. Supporting the mental health of our Veterans has helped us reach Functional Zero for Veteran homelessness in Douglas County, and we are so grateful for this local resource. Homelessness can be solved when we work in partnership. In Douglas County, homelessness for Veterans is rare and brief, thanks to quality data and working together. ?? Read more about Veteran homelessness in Douglas County: https://lnkd.in/gdbw_GUA