The Southern Ute Indian Tribe’s Division of Social Services (DSS) held a Drive-Thru Meet and Greet for Child Abuse Prevention Month on Thursday, April 29. The meet and greet was hosted outside the Muache–Capote Building on Tribal Campus and featured staff from DSS as well as the Tribal Services Department.  

At the Drive-Thru, over 35 cars drove by and approximately 40 backpacks were picked up. Each backpack featured water bottles, masks, pens, sunglasses, among many other treats. The goodie bags were a joint effort of different departments that included the Tribal Courts, Behavioral Health, and the event host, DSS. “For this being our first event since the pandemic hit, we were excited to see families and hope to host more events like this in the future,” Social Services Division Head, Amber Petersen expressed.  

April was National Child Abuse Prevention Month and the Division of Social Services would like to remind the community of the different resources that are available. In addition to the Drive-Thru event, there was an opportunity for youth to win prizes by submitting a photo of a colored pinwheel to the staff at social services. “The staff of the Social Services Division want to thank everyone who joined us in recognizing Child Abuse Prevention month,” Petersen said. “We are here to help and support families keep us in mind.” 

During this pandemic, staff are continuing to do this very important work in the community. They are providing immediate responses to client calls, emergencies and are working in collaboration with the Southern Ute Police Department. Therapy sessions can be provided over the phone and through Facetime or Skype with Family Therapist, Angelina Whitehorse. Families who are seeking counseling can contact Angelina Whitehorse, Social Services Family Therapist at 970-563-2335 or via email at awhitehorse@southernute-nsn.gov⁣  

If you, or someone you know is experiencing child abuse in any form – please report it immediately to the Southern Ute Division of Social Services Hotline at 970-563-KIDS (5437). The hotline is completely confidential.   

If you are trying to reach the Division of Social Services please call 970-563-2339.  For emergencies call the Southern Ute Police Department 970-563-4401.