[GREELEY] Beginning January 1, 2012, the programs and services formally provided by Child Advocacy Resource and Education, Inc. (c.a.r.e.), will begin operating under the administration of Lutheran Family Services of Colorado (LFS). LFS is a statewide multi-service human care organization with regional offices in Greeley, Ft Collins, Denver and Colorado Springs providing services to 20,000 people annually through adoption, foster care, prevention services, refugee resettlement, older adult services and disaster response services.
c.a.r.e was formally dissolved by its Board of Directors as of 12/31/11. The c.a.r.e. Board approached LFS to consider assuming their services and absorbing their remaining staff as LFS has been providing similar services in Weld County for many years and the c.a.r.e. Board was determined to preserve quality programs for the thousands of children and families they have served for the past 35 years. These programs include: Supervised Visitation; Safe Exchange; Parenting Education; Safe Touch School-based Program; and Nurturing Skills for Teen Parents.
LFS has received approval to assume existing grants and contracts for the remainder of the fiscal year from United Way of Weld County; Weld County Human Services; and 19th Judicial District serving Weld County. LFS has also secured the lease for the former c.a.r.e. offices at 3700 Golden Street in Evans and will soon hire the remaining c.a.r.e. employees and begin planning for the annual Taste of Weld County event scheduled for April, 2012.
“LFS is very grateful for the opportunity to continue programs that have made such a significant difference in the lives of many Weld County families over the past 35 years. While we grieve the ending of this venerable human care agency, we will strive to continue its legacy of quality service and impact under the umbrella of our own premier network of diverse family-oriented services”, said Jim Barclay, President and CEO of Lutheran Family Services. LFS has served Colorado communities and families since 1948 regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, military/veteran status or economic status.
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