Montezuma County Social Services has been awarded a $200,000 grant from the Colorado Department of Human Services to help with local family-service programs.

They grant was part of $2.5 million distributed to Colorado counties through the federal Promoting Safe and Stable Families Program.

“It’s a big deal because it is the highest level grant awarded and will be used to help local people,” said Josiah Forkner, director of Montezuma County social services.

He said of the five counties awarded the $200,000 grant, Montezuma County was the only rural one. The other counties were Adams, Arapaho, Denver and Jefferson.

The funds will be used to help prevent the unnecessary separation of children from their families, improve the quality of care and services to children, and ensure permanency for children by reuniting them with their parents by adoption or by another permanent living arrangement.