July 17, 2026 Minutes

Human Services Advisory Commission - Meeting Minutes

Meeting: July 17, 2026

In Attendance: Perry Buck, Stacey Casteel, Ernest Cienfuegos-Baca, Stephanie Foos, Stephanie Gausch, Jodi Hartmann, Dr. Denise Haws, Enita Kearns-Hout, Kelly Martinez, Vincent Ornelas, and David Reyes Jr.

Absent: Ernest Cienfuegos-Baca , Andrea Hernandez, Adam Turk

Department of Human Services (DHS) Staff in Attendance: Karin Crandell, Julie Witkowski, Jennifer Palmer, and Sara Adams

Recording Secretary: Sara Adams

Welcome

The meeting was called to order at 8:16 a.m.

Introductions

Jennifer Palmer was introduced as the new Deputy Director of Family Resources.

Presentation

Weld County Department of Public Health & Environment – Carter Vogel presented an overview of the 2025 Weld County Community Health Survey results. The presentation summarized data collected from approximately 20,000 Weld County households and highlighted findings related to income, health insurance coverage, access to medical care, financial concerns, housing stability, transportation and food insecurity.

Review of Minutes from April 17, 2026

Motion to approve the minutes from April 17, 2026, was made by Perry Buck. The minutes were unanimously approved.

Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Financial Report

John Kruse from the Weld County Department of Human Services Fiscal Office presented the CSBG Financial Report.  The budget and expenditures for 2026 were reviewed.

Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)

Kelli Schaefer and Patty Arellano presented the results of the 2027–2029 Weld County Community Needs Assessment, highlighting the data collected to identify community needs and priorities.

Karin Crandall presented the proposed 2027 CSBG budget. A motion to approve the budget was made by Enita Kearns-Hout and seconded by Jodi Hartmann. The budget was unanimously approved.

Karin Crandall also presented the 2027–2029 CSBG Application. A motion to approve the application was made by Vincent Ornelas and seconded by Jodi Hartmann. The application was  unanimously approved.

Karin Crandall provided an update on the CSBG site visit conducted in May 2026, reporting that no findings or compliance issues were identified during the review.

Child Welfare Updates

Julie Rudley presented the results of the Certified Out-of-Home Audit, highlighting identified strengths as well as areas for improvement.

Julie Rudley also provided an update regarding non-certified kinship providers. Due to State-level budget restrictions, reimbursements previously available to non-certified kinship providers have been eliminated.

Contracted Services Update

Sara Adams presented a newly executed agreement between the Weld County Department of Human Services and the High Plains Library District. Through grant funding awarded to the High Plains Library District by The Weld Trust, the partnership will establish a Mobile Workforce Unit to expand access to Workforce services in rural areas of Weld County, improving access for individuals who may otherwise have limited availability to these services.

Community Updates

Community updates were received from:

  • Vincent Ornelas (Greeley Housing Authority)
  • David Reyes Jr. (School District 6)
  • Enita Kearns-Hout (Catholic Charities serving Weld County)

Meeting Adjourned

Meeting adjourned at 10:0 a.m.

 

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