April 19, 2024 Minutes
Human Services Advisory Commission - Meeting Minutes
Meeting: April 19, 2024
In Attendance: Stacey Casteel, Stephanie Gausch, Stanley Graffis, Jodi Hartmann, Scott K. James, Enita Kearns-Hout, Kelly Martinez, Tammy Phillips, Gillian Smith, and Tom Teixeira
Absent: Elizabeth Barber, Ernest Cienfuegos-Baca, Stephanie Foos, Lisa Taylor and Adam Turk
In Attendance: Weld County Department of Human Services Representatives: Karin Crandall, Tanya Geiser, Tami Grant and Lesley Cobb
Recording Secretary: Lesley Cobb
Welcome
The meeting was called to order at 8:14 a.m.
Presentation
The Weld County Veterans Service Office
Jeff Smith presented on the Weld County Veterans Service Office. He explained that six months ago the Veterans Service Office moved from under Weld County Facilities to the Department of Human Services. The reason for this is that there are a lot of trends throughout the United States where it is better wraparound services for our veterans. Veterans and spouses do get priority of services when it comes to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funding. Jeff stated that they are now able to better serve veterans by being a one-stop shop that can assist veterans with jobs, housing, food, or any other DHS services that they might be in need of. Currently the office has three Veterans Service Officers (VSO) who are state/national certified and accredited and can assist veterans with VA benefits or claims. Weld County has done a very good job at being forward thinking in taking care of our veterans. Jeff shared that they are serving 1,500 to 1,800 veterans per month, however, at last count there are over 40,000 veterans in Weld County. They are really trying to do more outreach so that people will get to know them and what assistance can be offered.
Introductions
Gillian Smith was introduced as the newest member to HSAC.
Review of Minutes from January 19, 2024
A correction request was made by Kelly Martinez regarding her Community Updates section, as it should reflect that the brick-and-mortar clinic will be moving to Fort Lupton not Frederick.
Motion to approve the minutes, with the correction, was made by Stanley Graffis and seconded by Anita Kearns-Hout. The minutes were unanimously approved.
Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Update
Financial Report - Karin Crandall explained that there was no budget report to share this month, but that Emergency Assistance has spent $6,500.00 since the beginning of the year and staff wages through the Chafee program were billed to the Community Services Block Grant. Karin outlined how the grant funding works and that we do not get funds in one lump sum but notified periodically throughout the year via Option Letters from the State as to what funds were awarded. The County is then able to submit reimbursement requests for allowed expenses. She anticipated that we should receive around $260,000.00, so the Department has been tight on spending at this point since we are unsure as to the actual amount.
Annual Report – Karin reported that the Department did submit its annual report in February for CSBG for last year, which reflects that we served 640 unduplicated individuals during that period. She outlined a partial breakout to those numbers that included helping 102 individuals who were experiencing homelessness obtain shelter, helping 31 homeless individuals obtain safe and affordable housing, helping 141 individuals with preventing evictions to help them stay in their housing, serving 58 youth through the Chafee program and assisting 171 individuals for case management.
Strategic Plan Update
Kyle Ewertz presented on Strategic Plan updates. One of the biggest things that they will be working on is the internet access and what people see, specifically, the Weld County website and how it flows together. Also, a survey among employees was conducted about a year ago regarding what employees are wanting in order for Weld County to be an employer of choice. The results that were noted were engagement, recognition, and communication. To follow up on this, they we will be asking staff specifically what they would like to see in these areas by inviting them to Staff Sync Up events and one-on-one meetings, as well as attending quarterly meetings to get feedback. The Department is also trying to bridge the gap between our community partners and to have a better knowledge of what resources are available by going out and doing a road show to present on different topics or have presentations here at DHS. Kyle asked for feedback from the board members as to what topics they would like to see and what might be useful for their staff.
Kyle also briefly went over the Annual Achievement Summary for 2023 and the highlights for each of the DHS divisions. The Summary will be sent out via email so members can review.
Contract Services Update
Lesley Cobb provided an update regarding contracted services for the 1st quarter of 2024.
Grant Awards
Karin Crandall from the Family Resource Unit reported that they applied for the Family Resource Center Grant that will replace the Colorado Community Response (CCR) Grant which we had been receiving funds for our Prevention program. Through the new grant, we have requested $246,510.00 to support the Prevention program and partial wages for staff with the Housing Stability program and the Prevention program. She shared that we have not received an award letter yet but anticipate that soon. This funding is through the Family Strengthening Unit of the Division of Community and Family Support within Colorado Department of Early Childhood.
Division Audits/Evaluations/Reports
Adoption Assistance and Adoption IV-E Audit
- Karin Crandall reported that earlier this year the State reviewed a total of 25 Adoption Assistance cases. All 25 cases did pass and our average score on the cases were 93%. She highlighted that we had several strong adoption practices that were recognized and only two areas of opportunity.
- Karin reported that the IV-E audit just took place, and we did pass. The full results will be presented at the next HSAC meeting.
Department Updates
Employment Services Youth Adult Job Fair
- Karina Amaya-Ragland provided an update on the Employment Services Youth Adult Job Fair that was held on March 27th at Island Grove. There were 32 employers who attended the job fair, which was the same number as last year, and 673 young adults that attended, which was an increase from 515 last year. One of the biggest changes made this year included no lines to stand in to register, everything was done by scanning a QR Code, which made the entry way much smoother. She reported that they had a great turn out and received excellent feedback and are already looking at ways to improve for next year.
Weld Works 4 Youth Summer Program
- Karina Amaya-Ragland reported that they are looking for young adults that are interested in working. With this program they can serve 45 young adults who are 14 and 15 years old. The qualification requirements to this program are on the flyer that she handed out and that young adults are able work up to 20 hours a week and earn minimum wage. Karina stated that they are really trying to focus on the rural areas of the county and will be accepting applications through the end of May.
Community Updates
- Enita reported that Catholic Charities gets on average about 50 requests per month for rental assistance. She was excited that they received a $325,000.00 ARPA grant, over a period of three years, from the City of Greeley to help assist people.
- She reported that they are seeing a lot of challenges with funding and are looking for resources to help with needed services in the community.
- Tom reported that they are waiting for a budget but should hopefully received it by the end of the month and that will determine which way they go. He reported that rent for current clients will be going up.
- He had two employees in school all week, but they will be back and will be working on checking people’s wealth on a national computer system.
- Tom indicated that evictions are skyrocketing in Colorado now. Colorado used to be a very landlord friendly state but that has changed, and they are now seeing 15 to 30 days for a court action to occur on evictions. For people on Social Security the landlord is now required to go to mediation, but they are still seeing a lot of people be evicted for different reasons.
- Tammy reported that in Larimer County they are close to a budget crisis and are looking at cuts where they can.
- Jodi reported that they are on the final stretch of scheduling a groundbreaking in late June for the StarRise project, which is the permanent supported housing project in north Greeley.
- Commissioner James reported that the County Commissioners will be starting their budgeting early this year to be proactive.
- He indicated that for legislation from the Human Services aspect, Weld County has two major pieces that are going through. SB24-125 which is regarding the Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children and SB24-059 which is regarding the Child Welfare Behavioral Health System of Care.
- Stanley reported that they will be having a celebration for Armed Forces Day on May 18th at Bittersweet Park in Greeley.
- Kelly reported that the Health Department is working on their Strategic Plan and budget.
- She informed the group that there is a piece of legislation that is moving through regarding drivers’ education, and they are tracking it to see if it passes.
- Kelly is writing a grant for diabetes prevention to capture Medicaid participants that qualify at no cost to them that will be taught in Spanish.
- Stephanie reported that the Food Bank is continuing to see a record number of people. They are serving double the amount of people from what they had last month through their emergency food box program. The mobile food pantries are up about 70%.
- She indicated that they are seeing a lot of new households and people are needing their services longer.
- The Food Bank is getting ready to launch their summer feeding program and will have about twenty sites around Weld County that will run from the beginning of May to the end of August.
- The Food Bank has received funding for the backpack program, which is meant to feed kids over the weekend for summer month.
- This year a new program called Ready to Eat Bags was started. The program is specifically geared for the homeless because they do not have access to a kitchen or refrigeration.
- Stephanie also reported that a lot of the funding sources through COVID are ending and they are looking at new and creative ways to meet the needs of the community.
- Stacey reported that she sits on Weld Faith Partnership Council, and they are focusing on foster children. On May 9th, they will be having a foster breakfast at 8:00 am, at the Weld County admin building, that will introduce the community to foster care. There is a foster crisis and there are not currently enough foster parents for children who need them, and this is a way of getting the word out.
- Karin reported that there is going to be a regional Poverty Conference that is coming up in Salt Lake City, Utah, the last week of July. The Department will pay for board members to attend the conference through CSBG funding. As soon as Karin gets sign up information for this, she will pass it along to board members.
The meeting adjourned at 09:57 a.m.