Heather Velasquez Email and Phone Number

In this role, I collaborate with the Executive Director in overseeing the agency, providing executive leadership in establishing and effecting broad policies and objectives related to DPA’s mission, values and strategic objectives.My responsibilities include visionary and operational leadership and fostering trust and collaboration to enable DPA to deliver credible and effective service to all state agencies and the general public.This role is responsible for the oversight and management of the department’s internal operations divisions including: the Human Resources Unit, Business Product Director, Department Controller's Office, Performance Management Division, and the Communications Division.

As the Deputy Director of Operations and Cabinet Affairs, I serve as direct support to all duties of the Director of Operations and Cabinet Affairs. I focus on continual process and operations improvements, oversee daily operations, planning, quality control, and develop and monitor the use of resources. I create Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), develop tracking and reporting processes and tools, and develop information flows. In this role I supervise the operations advisor team and manage the team’s work in: Performance Management, Process Improvement and Talent Development in compliance with the SMART Act. I oversee special projects for the operations advisor team including: The Governor’s Professional Development Academy (statewide staff training in: Agile, Contract Management, Lean & Change Management), The Governor’s Executive Fellowship and the Tom Clements Better Government Award.

The Office of Children, Youth and Families (OCYF) works to ensure fulfillment of the Department's mission and goals to promote safety, permanency, and well-being for the children, youth, and families served by the Division of Child Welfare Services, the Division of Youth Services, and the Domestic Violence Program. OCYF is responsible for policy development, service provision, and coordination of efforts to improve the lives of Colorado citizens by supporting quality, supportive, and effective services. My Role:-Serving as the OCYF first point of contact for citizens, legislators, Governor's Office, federal, state and county elected officials and other stakeholders-Administrative support to the Office support programs as needed; these programs include communications, medical oversight, juvenile parole board and legislative/crossover administrator-Recommending, prioritizing, and committing Director and Deputy Director for speaking arrangements, functions, meetings, and presentations-Coordinating meetings, preparing agendas, briefing and/or support materials for Director's and Deputy Director's meetings, presentations and speaking engagements-Travel arrangements for the Director and Deputy Director-Updating tracking database to ensure receipt and accountability of all incoming/outgoing correspondence/requests to ensure timely response-Assistance w/ recruitment efforts-Staff committee meetings & preparing agendas and meeting materials; drafting communications to committee members; scheduling meetings; securing meeting locations; taking meeting minutes; and on-boarding new committee members-General technical and administrative support to the Office-Customer service to assist and accommodate the needs of staff and external customers-Maintaining files, records and databases-Office coordinator for the Colorado Combined Campaign