The La Plata County s Human Services Department consists of ten units responsible for administering a variety of programs that include public assistance to children, elderly, disabled and low-income residents. It provides adoption services and a permanency planning program that includes enabling children to have permanent homes and family stability. Additionally, the department offers family-based and alternative programs to strengthen families. The La Plata County s Human Services Department also offers child protection services, including investigating allegations of child abuse. The department has a child support enforcement unit, which assists parents in locating noncustodial parents, establishing paternity and establishing court orders for financial and medical support. In addition, it offers various senior programs, such as a home chore program that provides assistance to seniors for minor safety, heavy cleaning, yard work and snow shoveling. The department is located in Durango, Colo.