ALAMOSA — The Alamosa Department of Human Services saw a fair amount of success in 2018. Even so, there is some element of uncertainty for 2019. The Alamosa Board of County Commissioners were updated on what has taken place in the department at their meeting on Wednesday.

For 2018, the Alamosa DHS saw a total of over $14 million in revenues according to Department Head Catherine Salazar. The department also saw a 5 percent increase in food assistance cases with a total of 21,775 cases for 2018. Salazar pointed out that while the number of cases has increased, the issuance amount for each has decreased. The reason for this trend is that there are a great deal of single person households that are now applying for assistance. A surprising trend has been a slight decrease in Medicaid cases, which is currently at a total of 4,000.

The department has also seen a 6 percent increase in child support collections. There were also 15 adoptions in 2018. The department is currently serving the various needs of 142 children.

There is some degree of uncertainty in the DHS due to the shutdown. However, the department also anticipates that TANF benefits should be solid through the end of June. 

“We’re doing our best,” said Salazar.