About Grand Mesa Youth Services Center
Grand Mesa Youth Services Center (GMYSC) is a 53-bed co-ed secure, multipurpose youth center operated by the Division of Youth Services located in Grand Junction. Grand Mesa provides detention, regional diagnostic/assessment for newly committed youth and secure commitment services.
Grand Mesa is located in the Western Region of the state and services clients from the 6th, 7th, 9th, 14th, 21st and 22nd Judicial Districts. These districts encompass 18 counties: Moffat, Routt, Grand, Rio Blanco, Garfield, Pitkin, Mesa, Delta, Gunnison, Montrose, San Miguel, Ouray, Hinsdale, Dolores, Montezuma, La Plata, Archuleta and San Juan.
Grand Mesa provides daily programming for both detained and committed youth in the areas of education, clinical services, recreational activities, healthy living and transition services.
- Continue reading about Grand Mesa's approach to serving youth
Detained youth
The detention unit at Grand Mesa is designed to provide services to youth being detained while awaiting court and/or youth who are serving short court sentences. Detention youth participate in cognitive behavioral programming designed to teach positive thinking skills, anger management, improved decision-making, empathy and other social-related skills. In addition, youth participate in psycho-educational groups designed to promote victim empathy, independent living, goal-setting and anger management.
Educational services for detained youth are provided through the Mesa County District 51 schools. Educators from the local school district are on site daily through the week to provide assessment to appropriate grade level and classroom instruction. In addition, youth receive daily recreation and structured leisure time.
Committed and adjudicated youth
GMYSC operates two units designed to provide services to youth that are adjudicated and committed to the Division of Youth Services. Youth entering commitment status from the Western Region of the state into the Division of Youth Services complete a 30-day assessment period at Grand Mesa, where they are assessed for criminogenic risk and protective factors as well as treatment, mental health, education/vocation, drug/alcohol and transitional needs. The commitment program is designed to provide services that prepare youth for re-entry into their individual communities. Youth receive a variety of services including education; individual and group treatment; restorative justice; and psycho-educational groups designed to promote accountability, victim empathy and community justice. Youth participate in daily activities designed to promote good social skills. Educational services are provided year-round and are provided by certified state teachers.
Educational opportunities include core subjects, elective subjects and vocational instruction. While in school, youth have the ability to work on grade-level appropriate work for transferable credit to high school graduation. Youth may work towards earning a GED certificate while residing in the program. Youth receive physical education as well as vocational instruction in the areas of culinary, general construction trades and custodial services.
Behavioral health services
Behavioral health services are afforded to all youth based on need. Grand Mesa has a full clinical staff that provides services in the areas of mental health, offense specific and substance use treatment.
Grand Mesa Youth Services Center is certified by the Sanctuary Institute. Learn more about certified sites.
More information
- Youth served
Grand Mesa Youth Services Center provides secure detention holding for male and female youth between 10 and 18 who are awaiting court or serving short-term sentences, as well as long-term committed male and female youth between 12 and 20.
- Family information
The family is an integral part of the team working with youth involved in the Division of Youth Services. DYS strives to honor family experience and culture, empower all family members, utilize family strengths and instill hope for a safe and successful future.
- Youth information
- Visitation
Visitation is an avenue to build and maintain healthy family and community relationships. Families of youth in the care of DYS are encouraged to visit the youth center. All visits require a scheduled appointment. You can request visitation by contacting the Grand Mesa Control Center at 970.242.1521 ext. 110.
- Educational testing
- Voting rights
- Contact information
Contact information
Main phone: (970) 245-2516
Matt Medina, Director (970) 242-1521 ext. 130 Matt.Medina@state.co.us Stephen Taggart, Assistant Director
Stephen.Taggart@state.co.us Anthony Marah, Assistant Director (970) 242-1521 ext. 119
Anthony.Marah@state.co.us Lisa Evanich, Clinical Director (970) 242-1521 ext. 156 Lisa.Evanich@state.co.us Traci Schwarz, Principal of Grand Mesa Academy (970) 242-1521 ext. 118 Traci.Schwarz@state.co.us Patti Maurer, Program Assistant (970) 242-1521 ext. 115 Patricia.Maurer@state.co.us Bryanna Hetrick, CTL- Detention (303) 659-4450 bryanna.hetrick@state.co.us Vacant, Administrative Assistant (970) 242-1521 ext. 146 Kassie Sandlin, School Program Assistant (970) 242-1521 ext. 138 Kassie.sandlin@state.co.us Cortney Valerio, Mesa County District 51 Asst Principal (970) 254-6883 cortney.valerio@d51schools.org Lindsey Chitwood, Mesa County District 51 Secretary (970) 254-6880 ext. 115 lindsey.chitwood@d51schools.org Peggy Newland, Mesa County District 51 Secretary (970) 242-1521 ext. 150 peggy.newland@d51schools.org Control (970) 242-1521 ext. 110 Control Fax (970) 245-2516 Fax (970) 242-8127 Contact Information for Assessment Unit at Grand Mesa Youth Services Center
- Directions
Grand Mesa Youth Services Center is located at 360 28 Rd. in Grand Junction. For bus route information, please visit the Grand Valley Transit website.
Office of Colorado’s Child Protection Ombudsman
The Office of Colorado’s Child Protection Ombudsman helps youth and families address concerns about youth experiences and treatment while living in the Division of Youth Services (DYS) youth centers. The CPO is an independent state agency that investigates complaints and grievances about DYS and provides free and confidential assistance to anyone who calls.
Phone: 720.625.8640 or 866.276.8646 (toll free)