July 3, 2024 — The Youth Seclusion Working Group, which advises the Division of Youth Services (DYS) on the use of seclusion, is currently seeking three members.
The group is presently searching for members meeting the below criteria:
- An employee of DYS who is a representative of an organization in Colorado that exists for the purpose of dealing with the state as an employer concerning issues of mutual concern between employees and the state, to appointed by the governor;
- A person who does not work for the Colorado Department of Human Services or DYS and who has worked as a staff member or as a senior executive in youth corrections and who has experience working to establish a rehabilitative and therapeutic culture in one or more juvenile justice facilities, to be appointed by the Governor; and
- A parent of a person who was once committed to the custody of DYSs, to be appointed by the state public defender.
The purpose of the Youth Seclusion Working Group, which was created by Colorado House Bill 16-1328, is to advise DYS on policies, procedures and best practices related to seclusion and alternatives to such seclusion. The group monitors DYS's use of confinement for administrative purposes. If necessary, the working group may make recommendations to the DYS and Colorado legislative committees of reference about the use of confinement for administrative purposes.
CDHS strongly encourages diversity in its applicants and urges volunteers from all parts of the state with varied backgrounds and life experiences to apply. If you are interested in applying for one of the vacancies, please fill out the Boards and Commissions Application Form.