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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20110437.tiff RESOLUTION RE: APPROVE VICTIM'S ASSISTANCE AND LAW ENFORCEMENT (VALE) GRANT APPLICATION FOR LONG TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN ADVOCATE/FRIENDLY VISITOR PROGRAM AND AUTHORIZE CHAIR TO SIGN WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, Colorado, pursuant to Colorado statute and the Weld County Home Rule Charter, is vested with the authority of administering the affairs of Weld County, Colorado, and WHEREAS,the Board has been presented with a Victim's Assistance and Law Enforcement (VALE) Grant Application for the Long Term Care Ombudsman Advocate/Friendly Visitor Program from the County of Weld, State of Colorado, by and through the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, on behalf of the Department of Human Services, Area Agency on Aging, to the Victim's Assistance and Law Enforcement Board, commencing July 1, 2011, and ending June 30, 2012, with further terms and conditions being as stated in said application, and WHEREAS, after review,the Board deems it advisable to approve said application, a copy of which is attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, Colorado, that the VALE Grant Application for the Long Term Care Ombudsman Advocate/Friendly Visitor Program from the County of Weld, State of Colorado, by and through the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, on behalf of the Department of Human Services, Area Agency on Aging, to the Victim's Assistance and Law Enforcement Board, be, and hereby is, approved. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Board that the Chair be, and hereby is, authorized to sign said application. The above and foregoing Resolution was, on motion duly made and seconded, adopted by the following vote on the 14th day of February, A.D., 2011. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WELD COUNTY, COLORADO ATTEST: 'fie o " I Barbara Kirkmeyer, Chair Weld County Clerk to gp a � 1 } 't\ Sean P nway, Pro-Tern BY: / ' 1/44;1:.265\ ; Deputy Clerk to the Bo � \ ,!' WiI F.�cia AP RM: David E. Long County Attorney 442(2yip v l r - Douglas Rademac Date of signature: (13/C 7/2[ll a on �,.� m. o �2� C l t�5 2011-0437 02- -I/ 3 - - 1 I HR0082 MEMORANDUM ,,t iiii, DATE: February 9, 2011 W ' TO: Barbara Kirkmeyer, Chair, Board of County Commissioners ���CFROM: Jud A. Grie o, Director, Human Sery s COLORADO y g Cif RE: Weld County Department of Human Services' Area Agency on Aging's Long Term Care Ombudsman Advocate/ Friendly Visitor Program VALE Grant Enclosed for Board approval is the Department's Area Agency on Aging's Long Term Care Ombudsman Advocate/Friendly Visitor Program Victim Assistance and Law Enforcement(VALE) Grant. This Grant was reviewed by Pass-around Memorandum dated February 1, 2011, and approved for placement on the Board's Agenda. This grant will allow the Ombudsman program to provide elder abuse prevention programs to long term care staff, continue the long term care friendly visitor program, and maintain and strengthen the Volunteer Ombudsman program. The amount being requested for the July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012, funding cycle is $12,000.00. If you have any questions, give me a call at extension 6510. 2011-0437 VALE Grant Application Signature Page Applicant Agency: Weld County Department of Human Services, Area Agency on Aging Street Address(if not confidential): 315 C North 11th Avenue,Greeley,CO 80632 Mailing Address(if different): Post Office Box 1805,Greeley,CO 80632 Phone: (970)346-6950 ext 6128 Fax: (970)346-6951 E-Mail: rmaldonado@co.weld.co.us Project Title: Grant Period: July 1,2011 to June 30,2012 The following signatories understand and agree that any grant received as a result of this application shall incorporate and be subject to the statements made within the above described VALE Grant Application(The Application). Furthermore,the signatories certify that they have each read The Application and are fully cognizant of their duties and responsibilities for this project. (Original signatures of each party to this application(i.e.,Project Director,Financial Officer and Authorized Official)are required. Please use BLUE INK to distinguish the original documents from copies.) Proiect Director: Name: Eva M.Jewell Position/Title: AAA Division Head Agency(including Division or Unit): Weld County Department of Human Services,Area Agency on Aging Mailing Address: Post Office Box 1805,Greeley, CO 80632 Phone: (970)346-6950 ext 6101 Fax: (970)346.6951 E-Mail: ejewell@co.weld.co.us Signature:CIL-it-�"7 ,�z , c Date: Y —/' Financial Officer: Name: Lennie L. Bottorff Position/Title: Fiscal and Budget Manager Agency(including Division or Unit): Weld County Department of Human Services Mailing Address: 315 North 11th Avenue, Post Office Box A. Greeley, CO 80632 Phone: (970)352-1551 ext. 6537 Fax: (970)346-7691 E-Mail: bottorll@co.weld.co.us Signature: /( Date: ZI8/ il 62" Authorized Official: Name: Barbara Kirkmever Position/Title: Chair Agency(including Division or Unit): Weld County Board of Commissioners Mailing Address: 915 10th Street, Post Office Box 758,Greeley,CO 80631 Phone: (970)356-4000 ext: 4200 Fax: (970)352-0242 E-Mail: bkirkmeyer@co.weld.co.us Signature yeco J 2 , l�% .JA_ Date: FEB 1 4 2011 In accordance with the Colorado Revised Statutes 24-72-202.6,information supplied in this application is considered a public record. „77O/-171/3'/ 2011-2012 VALE ASSISTANCE FUNDS 19th Judicial District, Weld County Application SECTION A - AGENCY INFORMATION: VALE USE ONLY 1. APPLICANT AGENCY: Grant#: Amount Requested: Program Name: Weld County Department of Human Services Amount Funded: Area Agency on Aging Street Address (if not confidential): 315 C North 11th Avenue Greeley, Colorado 80632 Mailing Address (if different): Post Office Box 1805 Greeley, Colorado 80632 Phone: (970) 346-6950 extension 6128 Fax: (970) 346-6951 E-Mail: rmaldonado(a)co.weld.co.us 2. CONTACT PERSON: Title: Raegan Maldonado Phone: (970) 346-6950 extension 6128 Fax: (970) 346-6951 E-Mail: rmaldonadota7co.weld.co.us 3. Agency Status (i.e., governmental, private-non-profit, or private-for-profit): Governmental Tax ID Number 14-02101 NOTE:If you are claiming non-profit status and if you have not previously provided documentation supporting this claim to the VALE Board, then you must provide sufficient documentation concerning your agency's non-profit status with this application. 4. PROJECT TITLE: Weld County Long Term Care Ombudsman/Friendly Visitor Program 5. Give a problem statement that is specific to the community the project will serve. The VALE funds will allow the Ombudsman Program to have a consistent presence in Weld County long term care settings, allowing for early intervention and advocacy. The funding will enable the LTC Ombudsmen to maintain an elder abuse prevention and awareness program. In addition, the Assistant Ombudsman will be able to continue recruitment and training for the Ombudsman Volunteer Program. 6. FUNDS REQUESTED: $12,000 SECTION B - NARRATIVE SUMMARY: 7. Agency description: The Weld County Long Term Care Ombudsman Program is housed under the umbrella of the Weld County Area Agency on Aging and the Weld County Department of Human Services. The authority of the local Ombudsman Program comes from the Older American's Act, Colorado Revised Statutes 25-11.5 and the Nursing Home Reform Law of 1987. The Weld County Ombudsman acts as a consumer voice for the concerns of the elderly living in institutions, who may have no one else to speak for them. The Ombudsman also receives and resolves questions, issues, problems and complaints made by, for, or on behalf of residents of long term care facilities. The purpose of the Weld County Long Term Care Ombudsman Program is to assist and empower consumers of long term care services by providing information about those services and furnish support in complaint resolution. These issues or complaints may include, but are not limited to access to long term care services, redress of neglectful or abusive care, and information and assistance with civil and human rights. The Long Term Care Ombudsman program is a resident/patient/consumer-centered advocacy program. Long Term Care Ombudsmen have statutory status under the Older Americans Act of 1965 as amended and are required by federal and state law to visit every nursing home monthly and every assisted living facility quarterly. They also receive, investigate and resolve complaints, identify needs of long term care residents and help establish programs to meet those needs. The Ombudsmen also document and report problems of long term care and help to stimulate and promote improvement of the system. 8. Brief Project Description for which the funds are being requested: The V.A.L.E. grant has allowed the Ombudsman Program to increase staff time to keep up with the increasing demand for advocacy on behalf of this very vulnerable population. The funds have also enabled the program to maintain an abuse prevention and awareness program aimed at educating nurse aides in training, Certified Nurse Assistants (C.N.A.'s), and other long term care staff. This has allowed our program to educate residents and staff about the Ombudsman Program, abuse issues and resident rights, as well as investigation of complaints of abuse and neglect. The Ombudsman's role; through observation and a frequent presence in the facilities; is to insure that resident rights are being respected, that quality care is administered, and that abuses do not occur. Continued funding of the Assistant Ombudsman will make it possible for the Weld County Area Agency on Aging Ombudsman Program to serve the increasing number of vulnerable long term care residents and their families. We believe that our request for a continuation of funding relates to the mandate of early crisis intervention and to provide assistance and support to victims and their families. 9. RESPONSIBLE PARTIES: List the two individuals who are responsible for ensuring the grant is administrated as proposed by the organization and approved by the VALE Board. Person Title Phone Email 1) Eva Jewell AM Division Head (970) 346-6950 ext 6101 eiewell(a)co.weld.co.us 2) Raegan Maldonado Lead LTC Ombudsman (970) 346-6950 ext 6128 rmaldonado(a co.weld.co.us SECTION C - GOALS AND OBJECTIVES: (Goal 1, objectives 1 and 2, are mandatory for all applicants.) 10. GOAL 1 (standard): This project will provide direct services that assist crime victims with emotional and physical needs to stabilize their lives, provide a measure of safety and security, and/or enhance victims' experience with the criminal justice system. • OBJECTIVE 1 (standard): To provide services to the following estimated unduplicated number of crime victims during the 12-month grant period. EST. NO. EST. NO. VICTIMS TYPE OF CRIME VICTIMS TYPE OF CRIME Adults Molested as Children Child Physical Abuse Child Sexual Abuse Survivors of Homicide Victims DUI/DWI —Victims of vehicular assault or Robbery homicide, DUI/DWI crashes, or careless driving resulting in death Domestic Violence Assault 10 Adult Sexual Assault Other violent crimes such as hate and bias crime, gang violence (specify). Other, please specify 80 Elder Abuse (including economic exploitation and fraud crimes) TOTAL UNDUPLICATED VICTIMS ESTIMATED TO BE SERVED DURING THE 12-MONTH PERIOD 90 OBJECTIVE 2 (standard): To provide the following types of services to the following estimated number of unduplicated victims during the 12-month grant period. EST. NO. EST. NO. VICTIMS SERVICES VICTIMS SERVICES Civil Legal Advocacy/Court Individual Therapy Accompaniment Civil Legal Attorney Assistance 70 Information/ Referral (in person) Criminal Justice Support/ 70 Information/ Referral (by phone) Advocacy/Court Accompaniment Crisis/Counseling Intervention (in person) Language Services (interpretation) Crisis/Counseling Intervention (by phone) Shelter/ Safehouse Emergency Financial Assistance Transitional Housing 90 Follow-up (in person, by phone, or written) Transportation Forensic Exam 70 Victim Compensation Assistance (required) Victim/Survivor Advocacy Group Treatment/Support Victim Rights Act Services Hospital/Clinic Response 11. PROJECT-SPECIFIC GOALS AND OBJECTIVES: Add no more than four additional goals with objectives. Use format provided below. Goals should be clear, concise,general statements that highlight what the project intend to achieve. They should relate to the Project Description and Budget pages of the Application. Objectives(no more than three per goal)should be quantifiable (i.e. a number can be attached) in order to measure changes brought about by the project toward achieving each goal. Objectives state specifically what will be done, by whom, and by when. A timetable of projected achievement should be indicated in the Goals and Objectives. Efficiency and Effectiveness are measured in Goals and Objectives and reported on in quarterly reports. Efficiency: Were the project's proposed activities accomplished as projected? Effectiveness: How will you determine that your project is effective or has made a difference to the victims served? GOAL 2: The Assistant Ombudsman will provide ongoing supervision and training of the Volunteer Ombudsmen and Friendly Visitors. Objective 1: Maintain 3 volunteers within the Ombudsman Program until December 2011 and fill any volunteer vacancies by June 2012. Provide any new Volunteer Ombudsmen with 20 hours of initial training, required to become certified as a Volunteer Ombudsman. Objective 2: Ensure that each Volunteer Ombudsman has the opportunity to complete their continuing education hours that are required for recertification. Each Volunteer Ombudsman will complete 8 hours of continuing education by December 31$1, 2011 and; an additional 8 hours of continuing education by June 30`h, 2012. Objective 3: Provide 2 community groups with information regarding the Volunteer Ombudsman Program by December 2011 and 2 additional community groups by June 2012. GOAL 3: The Assistant Ombudsman, Volunteer Ombudsmen and the Lead Ombudsman will provide education regarding the Ombudsman Program, Resident Rights, Abuse Prevention and additional early intervention topics to nurse aides in training. This education will also include information regarding Victim Rights and Victim Compensation. We believe that these trainings relate to the provision of services for early crisis intervention. Objective 1: Schedule trainings with the Nurse Aide Coordinator at AIMS Community College (both campuses, Fort Lupton and Greeley), 2-4 times a quarter, during the funding cycle. Objective 2: Educate 50-75 students from July to December 2011, and 50-75 students from January to June 2012. Objective 3: Provide education to 2-4 nurse aide high school classes during this funding cycle. GOAL 4: The Assistant Ombudsman, Volunteer Ombudsmen and the Lead Ombudsmen will educate long term residents and their families about the Ombudsman Program and their Rights as Residents. This education will also include information regarding Victim Rights and Victim Compensation. When applicable, we will refer victims to appropriate social service and victim compensation programs and offer assistance in filling out forms for compensation. We believe that this education relates to the provision of services for crisis intervention. Objective 1: Provide one-on-one education to 20 long term care residents per quarter. Objective 2: Provide group education during 2 Resident Council meetings per month (6 per quarter) during the funding cycle. Objective 3: Provide education to 4 Family Councils by the end of the funding cycle, June 2012. GOAL 5: The Assistant Ombudsman, Volunteer Ombudsmen and the Lead Ombudsman will provide education to long term care staff members during this funding cycle. This education will also include information regarding Victim Rights and Victim Compensation. We believe that these trainings relate to the provision of services for early crisis intervention. Objective 1: Discuss training topics available through the Ombudsman Program with management staff from 4 long term care facilities by November 2011 and 4 long term care facilities by May 2012, to Objective 2: Provide 2 long term care staff inservices by December 2011 and 2 additional inservices by June 2012. 12. Address what problems, if any, you anticipate in implementing your program's goals and objectives. Overall, we do not anticipate any problems of reaching the new goals and objectives for July 2011- June 2012, however, we have identified the following issues: (a) Due to the complex nature of the Ombudsman Program,there is an ongoing challenge of recruiting appropriate and reliable volunteers. Volunteer Ombudsmen cannot have any current connection to a Weld County long term care facility, as this would be considered a conflict of interest for the Ombudsman Program. (b) Staffing issues continue to be a major crisis in long term care facilities. We have found that it is becoming more difficult for staff members to leave the facilities to attend trainings at other locations. This may be due to shortage of staff, or a variety of other reasons. How do you plan to resolve these problems? (a) The Assistant Ombudsman will continue to recruit and screen potential volunteers for appropriateness when existing volunteer positions are vacant. (b) For this reason,the Ombudsman Program continues to be flexible and open to suggestions from long term care facilities regarding training programs. In addition, we have modified our training materials to accommodate the time allotted for staff inservices. These inservices typically take place at area long term care facilities and Ombudsmen presentations can be included during these time frames. 13. Services as defined in the V.A.L.E. statute, 24-4.2-105 (4) (a— m) C.R.S. a) Indicate YES for services which are indicated in the Goals and Objectives of this application, and NO for services NOT indicated in the Goals and Objectives of this application. YES NO Services: C.R.S. 24-4.2-105 (4) (a— m) ✓ (a) Provision of services for early crisis intervention; (b) Provision of telephone lines for victims and witnesses assistance; (c) Referral of victims to appropriate social service and victim compensation programs and assistance in filling out forms for compensation; ✓ (c.5) Assistance programs for victims and their families; x (d) Education of victims and witnesses about the operation of the criminal justice system; x (e) Assistance in prompt return of the victims'property; (I)Notification to the victim of the progress of the investigation, the defendant's arrest, subsequent bail determinations, anc the x status of the case; (g) Intercession with the employers or creditors of victims or witnesses; (h) Assistance to the elderly and to persons with disabilities in x arranging transportation to and from court; x (i) Provision of translator services; (j) Coordination of efforts to assure that victims have a secure place to wait before testifying; (k) Provision of counseling or assistance during court appearances x when appropriate; (1) Protection from threats of harm and other forms of x intimidation; (m) Special advocate services (7)(b) "Special advocate services"means the services offered to aid victims who are children, including,but not limited to,court-appointed special advocate (CASA)programs, sexual assault treatment and prevention programs, community-based youth and family servicing programs,gang alternative programs, school-based intervention and prevention programs,big brother and big sister programs offering aid to children who are victims,restitution x programs, partners programs offering aid to children who are victims,and child abuse treatment programs. (2.5) (a) (I) The court administrator of each judicial district may apply for grants of moneys for the purpose of collecting all moneys assessed by the courts, including moneys owed pursuant to this article, and collecting and disbursing restitution owed to victims of crime; b) For each YES listed in 13 a), reference the Goal and Objective that relates to the service provided. List letter(a— m) List Goal and Objective(s) pertaining to the service provided in your GOALS and which refers to 13.a OBJECTIVES. Goal 3 and Objectives 1,2 and 3 a Goal 4 and Objectives 1.2 and 3 Goal 5 and Objectives 1,2 and 3 Goal 1 and Objective 2 c Goal 4 and Objectives 1,2 and 3 c5 14. Will this project utilize volunteers and or interns? •Yes No If yes, please answer the following: 3 Number of volunteers/interns which were utilized from July 1, 2010 through December 31, 2010. 20 Number of volunteer/intern hours from July 1, 2010 through December 31, 2010. SECTION D - SERVICE INFORMATION: 15.What is the population and geographic area targeted for service through this project? Populations targeted are 60 plus elderly residing in nursing homes, assisted living facilities and personal care boarding homes located in Weld County. Currently there are approximately 1,600 Weld County residents who live in long term care facilities. All of these residents receive services through the Ombudsman program, either directly with visitations and complaint resolution or indirectly through training and technical assistance provided to staff to improve the quality of care. By extension, the program also may represent the concerns of relatives and/or friends of long term care residents as long as the concern reflects the concerns of the resident. Continuation of support will make it possible for the Area Agency on Aging Ombudsman Program to continue to serve all of the long term care residents and their families with the same type and degree of services that we are currently providing. a) How many crime victims have you served and will you serve? VICTIMS SERVED VICTIMS SERVED VICTIMS SERVED PROJECTION OF 1 YEAR 1 YEAR SIX MONTHS VICTIMS TO SERVE July 1, 2008 July 1, 2009 July 1, 2010 July 1, 2011 Through Through Through Through June 30, 2009 June 30, 2010 December 30, 2010 June 30, 2012 25 73 45 90 b) Are there other community agencies currently providing like services to the targeted population? There are no other community agencies that provide such services to long term care residents. If yes, explain how this project is not a duplication of services. 16. Document community support, coordination and networking by providing the following information: a) List the top five agencies who your agency works most closely with in coordination and provision of crime victim services and indicate how you work with them. AGENCY HOW YOU COORDINATE 1 Adult Protective Services APS monthly meeting, collaborate efforts if working with same resident/client, facilitate trainings to community groups. 2 The Legal Center Work closely with the State Long Term Care Ombudsman program, education, consultations. 3 Colorado Department of Public Work with surveyors who conduct annual surveys and complaint Health and Environment surveys. 4 Victim Advocates Education 5 SAVA Anticipate working together to provide community education. b) Is your agency an active participant in Weld County's Coordinating Committee for Victims of Crime (CCVC)? If"yes," provide the name and position(s) of the CCVC participant(s) and their level of involvement in that group. NAME OF MEMBER HOW THEY PARTICIPATE Raegan Maldonado Quarterly Meetings, Victim Rights Day, Subcommittees as needed, Training Kathleen Alvarado Quarterly Meetings, Victim Rights Day, Subcommittees as needed, Training c)Briefly describe any other agency actions that demonstrate its high priority for developing community support, coordination, networking, and cooperation. The Ombudsman Program also participates in the following committees: The Weld County Special Needs Committee; The Weld County LTC Bio-Ethics Committee; The Weld County Senior Service Network and the Colorado Culture Change Coalition. SECTION E -VICTIM COMPENSATION: Provide the following information concerning your agency's involvement with the Crime Victim Compensation Program: 17. a) Does your agency regularly inform victims about Victim Compensation and help them to apply when appropriate? ■Yes No How? We meet with residents, victims and family members 1:1 and provide them with information regarding Victim Compensation and their rights. In addition, we inform people about Victim Compensation during Ombudsman trainings and community meetings. b) Explain any major issues that hinder your agency in helping crime victims to understand Victim Compensation eligibility requirements and to apply for benefits. We have no major issues that hinder our agency in helping crime victims to understand Victim Compensation eligibility requirements and to apply for benefits. c) Does your agency regularly conduct/receive Victim Compensation training for direct services staff and volunteers? ■Yes No Date of the last training: Wednesday, July 14th, 2010 Person who conducted the training: Karol Patch 5 Number of Staff and Volunteers in your agency providing services to crime victims. 2 Number of Staff and Volunteers who attended the last Victim Compensation Training. VALE USE ONLY Reviewed Victim Compensation Coordinator Comments: SECTION F - VICTIM RIGHTS ACT: 18. Has your agency taken steps to assure that all staff and volunteers have read and understand the GUIDELINES FOR ASSURING THE RIGHTS OF VICTIMS OF AND WITNESSES TO CRIMES: Rights afforded to crime victims - C.R.S. 24-4.1-302.5; Procedures for assuring rights of victims of crimes; C.R.S. 24-4.1-303; and Child victim or witness—rights and services—C.R.S. 24-4.1-304 ■Yes No a) Briefly describe how your agency assures that all staff and volunteers are trained on VRA. We require that Volunteer Ombudsmen and Ombudsmen staff read, "Crime Victims Have Rights," on the DCJ website: www.dci.state.co.us, on a yearly basis, or as needed (if they are distributing to victims, we request that they review in case the victim has questions regarding the material). b) Does your agency have a statutory mandate to notify victims about their rights under VRA? Yes ■ No *However, the LTC Ombudsman Program is mandated through the Older American's Act to educate long term care residents about their rights as residents. We do have a printed Ombudsman brochure that describes these rights. c) VRA Training: Date of the last training: July 30`h, 2009 Person who conducted the training: Dan Griffin, COVA Trainer 5 Number of Staff and Volunteers in your agency providing services to crime victims. 2 Number of Staff and Volunteers who attended the VRA Training. d) How does your agency notify victims of their rights under VRA? We provide residents and family members with, "Crime Victims have Rights," from DCJ website: www.dci.state.co.us, when appropriate. We also have Ombudsman brochures that we distribute that specifically explain Residents Rights when they live in an assisted living facility or nursing home. e) Does your agency have a brochure describing VRA? Yes • No If"yes", list the languages in which your brochure is available. See SECTION I. ATTACHMENTS f) If you agency does not have a brochure describing VRA, please indicate if your agency utilizes brochures from other agencies. See SECTION I ATTACHMENTS. DO NOT INCLUDE VICTIM COMPENSATION BROCHURES. "Crime Victims have Rights," from DCJ website: www.dci.state.co.us, SECTION G - EVALUATION: How will you evaluate the effectiveness of this project? (1) By reviewing whether or not we are meeting and/or exceeding our goals and objectives. (2) With the use of our Ombudsman training evaluations and client satisfaction surveys. 19. If this is an application for continuing funding, how successful has this project been in the past in accomplishing its proposed goals and objectives? We have been very successful with meeting and/or exceeding our goals and objectives in the past, and have accomplished all goals and objectives throughout the years. 20. a)What is the projected cost per client served (cost/benefit ratio)? How did you calculate this figure? Cost/benefit ratio: We are requesting$12,000 divided by 1600 long term care residents= $7.50 per resident. Due to the complexity and uniqueness of the program,the current cost benefit ratio is difficult to determine as we provide a combination of training,technical assistance and direct service to an unlimited number of residents and family members. However, we do know that early intervention by the Ombudsman can prevent costly medical costs that may have resulted due to poor quality of care. Cost Savings: When an advocate visits a long term care facility and discovers issues that affect the direct health of a resident, the advocate can facilitate and coordinate care with the facility to enhance the resident's plan of care to help reduce the problem from escalating. There are considerable medical savings to the taxpayer(most nursing home residents are on Medicaid)when extreme medical procedures can be avoided. When long term care patients are restrained, not only is it a violation of individual rights, but an opportunity is missed to administer therapies, which can help the patient become more independent. The ombudsman, again, can identify these situations and work with the staff to develop alternate interventions which will respect individual rights and give the patient care that may increase his/her potential to be independent. Dependence costs society. Elder abuse education is invaluable to reduce incidences that occur. When a resident is exposed to an abusive situation the experience can cause not only physical, but also emotional, psychological, and social damage. Repercussions from abuse result in expensive and time consuming therapies and utilize valuable resources allocated for the community. The abuse education provided by the funds from this grant help to raise awareness and allow intervention before abuse situations occur. SECTION H - BUDGETARY INFORMATION: All Budget pages MUST be completed. 21. What is the management plan for the project? (Specifically, who will be responsible or accountable for the administration of the project?) Eva Jewell, AAA Division Head, will work with Raegan Maldonado, Lead Ombudsman to ensure that we are meeting our goals and objectives. Raegan Maldonado will directly supervise Kathleen Alvarado, Assistant Ombudsman, and Kathleen will directly supervise the Volunteer Ombudsmen. 22. What controls and processes does your agency have in place for writing checks? The answer should include information including: who in the agency is authorized to request a check, who is authorized to write a check, who is authorized to sign a check, whether or not dual signatures are required on any checks, and whether or not a person authorized to write a check could sign a check to themselves. Weld County has separate processes in place to order goods and services, authorize payment, approve payment and write checks. Program personnel order goods or services with the assistance of the county purchasing office. After the order is received, an invoice is sent to the departmental fiscal office where the accounts payable staff verify the delivery of the item, obtain authorization for payment and code the payment in the accounting system. Approval of the payment is completed by a departmental accounting supervisor and the central county accounting office verifies the approval and writes the check. This system of internal control ensures that authorization, approval and disbursement are done by different offices; no checks are authorized and written by the same individual. Hello