HomeMy WebLinkAbout20113296 RESOLUTION
RE: APPROVE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING AND AUTHORIZE CHAIR TO SIGN-
CATHOLIC CHARITIES
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 Memorandum of Understanding between
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, and Catholic Charities, commencing
October 1,2011, and ending September 30, 2012,with further terms and conditions being as stated
in said Memorandum of Understanding, and
WHEREAS, after review, the Board deems it advisable to approve said Memorandum of
Understanding, 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 Memorandum of Understanding between 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, and Catholic Charities be, and hereby is, approved.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Board that the Chair be, and hereby is, authorized to
sign said Memorandum of Understanding.
The above and foregoing Resolution was, on motion duly made and seconded, adopted by
the following vote on the 21st day of December, A.D., 2011, nunc pro tunc October 1, 2011.
BOARD OF COUNTY CO MISSIONERS
WELD COUNTY, CO DO
ATTEST:'St.+w.'�1 /A-- /
arbara Kirkmeyer, air
Weld County Clerk to the Board L�n` �-
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ean P. Conway,l Pro-Tem
BY:
Deputy C rk to the Boa *61
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APPRO DA m: writ/ auk
avid E. Long
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ouglaQRademach r
Date of signature: / /S/ /Q
CC V\SD 2011-3296
I ���"1 a- HR0082
MEMORANDUM
1861 - 2011
DATE: December 19, 2011
TO: Barbara Kirkmeyer, Chair, Board of County Com issioners
WELD--BOUNTY
FROM: Judy A. Griego, Director, Human ervicessepart nt
RE: Memorandum of Understanding between the Weld County
Department of Human Services and Catholic Charities
Enclosed for Board approval is a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the
Department and Catholic Charities. This Memorandum of Understanding was reviewed
under the Board's Pass-Around Memorandum dated October 17, 2011, for placement on the
Board's Agenda.
This Memorandum of Understanding is a non-financial agreement. The major provisions of
this MOU are as follows:
No. Provider/Term Program Area
1 Catholic Charities Promoting Safe and Stable Families
Program - Case management, adoption and
October 1, 2011 - September 30, 2012 kinship support, and parenting education
If you have any questions, give me a call at extension 6510.
2011-3296
//,e DD��
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
WHEREAS,the following outlines the components of a Memorandum of Understanding
(hereinafter referred to as the Agreement)between Catholic Charities(hereinafter referred to as CC)and
Weld County Department of Human Services(hereinafter referred to as the Department)regarding
services for identified clients of the County.
WHEREAS, each organization is independent and capable of providing to the identified
community the services described in this agreement. The organizations to this agreement also understand
that by combining their leadership, skills, and talent,that the potential to offer these needed services can
be accomplished better and more effectively.
NOW THEREFORE,the undersigned organizations and in good faith are resolved to execute this
Memorandum of Understanding and enter into an agreement as follows:
Catholic Charities Responsibilities
Collaborate with the Department to provide quality service to the identified clients. CC will provide
services in three specific areas to clients referred by the County: case management, adoption and kinship
support and parenting education. The overreaching goal is to provide Prevention/Family Preservation
services to at risk families and their children in order to strengthen parenting skills,help stabilize families
and prevent out of home placements. Three different focused populations will be served by Catholic
Charities under this agreement:
Families will be referred by DHS when it is determined that a family's children might be
at continued risk if additional services and support were not provided. These referrals may be
open cases with DHS. Follow-up support services may be requested for children retuned to their
parents out of placement,where the case has been closed by the agency but continued monitoring
and support by a partnering agency is indicated. In addition, DHS may refer a family following a
child protection investigation where an assessment concluded opening a case is not warranted but
risk factors cause concerns. These families would be living in their own home and in home
services or group services at CC would be provided.
Homelessness often puts families in a potentially venerable situation placing children at
risk of harm or failure to have their basic needs met. These families are often doubling up with
other individuals at times putting children at risk or they are residing in the CC Shelter. These
families will receive services in their current temporary setting or at the Guadalupe Community
Center and Shelter.
Catholic Charities will also provide education and supportive services targeting
Adoptive and Kinship families. The focus will be to strengthen and stabilize the family in order
to preserve permanency and the children's well being,thus preventing out of home placement.
These families could be referred from DHS,referred by other partnering agencies or be served in
our existing support group that has been in existence for 8 years under the services provided
through PSSF.
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r .
In all areas, CC will:
• Execute necessary releases and consent forms to work with other agencies involved with the
identified client.
• Follow agreed upon protocols for referral and follow up.
• Agree to coordinate and share appropriate information with other agencies.
• Respond to requests for information in a timely manner.
Case Management
CC will provide direct case management services for up to 30 families referred by the Weld DHS whose
children are at risk of entry or re-entry into foster care. Referrals for services will be provided by the
Department using the approved referral process(Exhibit A).
CC will provide supportive and preventative services to 25 families and their children who are residents
of the Guadalupe Shelter.
For any family referred for services which has a current open case with the Department, CC will provide
monthly reports detailing the services provided and the family's progress. Reports will inform the
Department of the family's progress toward permanency, stability, and whether or not protective concerns
are being appropriately addressed.
Monthly CC will send a summary outlining the number of families and children served under this
contract, whether they are referrals from DHS or shelter families.
Services include but are not limited to:
I. Supporting families in successfully completing treatment plans or recommendations by DHS.
2. Assistance with improving activities relating to general and nurturing appropriate parenting
techniques. Parenting instruction will be done one on one in the family's home or in small
classes held at the shelter.
3. Assisting families with applying for and renewing applications for services such as Medicaid,
TANF, housing assistance etc.
4. Referring families to other community agencies to insure that basic needs such as transportation,
shelter and food are met.
5. Supporting families in completing goals set to move the family out of homelessness and into
sustainable safe and stable housing.
6. Coordination with School Districts to facilitate the education needs for all children served.
Support Groups
CC will continue to provide support groups for kinship families providing care for children. These
services will be available both for families involved in WCDHS cases as well as those not involved in
these cases.
If requested,Catholic Charities will assist the Department in their efforts to recruit foster-adoptive
families as well as offer support to post-adoptive families. CC will provide additional post—adoption
consultation and support when requested.
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Parenting Education
CC will provide parent education classes with two different delivery approaches. One on one in home
instruction or small group presentation with shelter residents will be provided by CC. CC will utilize The
Nurturing Parent curriculum which is a national evidence based program developed by Stephen Bavolek,
Ph.D. to prevent child abuse and neglect.
Referrals for parenting education will be made by the Department utilizing an approved referral process
(Exhibit A). CC will provide monthly reports to the Department regarding each referred client's
participation and observed understanding of the material covered. (Exhibit B)The curriculum utilizes pre
and post testing.
CC will offer classes which cover the following areas:
1. Nurturing as a Philosophy in Parenting and as a Lifestyle
2. Childhood Growth and Development
3. Discipline with Dignity
4. Empathy/ability to understand your children and their development of empathy
5. Managing Feelings/Dealing with stress and handling anger
6. Positive Communication/Problem solving in Family Meetings
7. Self worth/empowerment/praising and encouraging children
8. Safety in the home/drug/alcohol abuse and violent relationships
Annual Reporting
Catholic Charities will provide to Weld County DHS an annual report by October 30, 2012, which will
include:
• Number of referrals received from WCDHS, the length of these services, and the outcomes from
these services
• Number of in-shelter families served
• Number of kinship/adoptive families served.
• Other activities as requested by DHS
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Department's Responsibilities
Collaborate with CC to provide quality service to identified clients. The Department will refer clients to
CC for services in three programs; case management, adoptive and kinship support and parenting
education. In the PSSF reporting year 2010-2011 there were 35 referrals made.
In all areas,the Department will:
• Obtain releases from referred clients to allow the sharing of information between the Department
and CC.
• Follow agreed upon protocols for referral and follow up.
• Agree to coordinate and share appropriate information with other agencies.
• Respond to requests for information in a timely manner.
Case Management
The Department will refer up to 30 families to CC for services in the case management program.
Referrals will include families wherein children are at risk of entry or re-entry into foster care. Referrals
for services will be provided using an approved referral process (Exhibit A). Monthly case reports will be
provided by Catholic Charities to the Department.
In addition to exchanging monthly reports,the caseworkers and advocates will maintain ongoing contact
by e-mail. It has been proven that workers with busy schedules in the field communicate more efficiently
and effectively by e-mail as client issues arise. A continued two-way communication is critical to
meeting families' needs and keeping children safe.
The Department will provide information to CC regarding the circumstances which led to protective
concerns for the family, ongoing risk or protection issues, and family treatment plans. The Department
will also provide ongoing information to CC regarding case planning and family progress as necessary for
CC to effectively provide services.
Support Groups
The Department will refer kinship and adoption families to CC for participation in support groups. The
Department will provide CC with information regarding the families and children in their care as
necessary for CC to effectively provide this service to families.
The Department will cooperate with CC when necessary to provide information and educational materials
to kinship and adoption families. This will include keeping CC staff updated on any changes to policy
which may impact families served, providing staff time to attend groups to cover topics of interest to
these families, and providing verbal and/or written information to CC in response to questions and/or
concerns raised during groups.
Parenting Education
The Department will refer clients involved in WCDHS cases to CC for one on one in home parenting
educational training. The Department will provide CC with information regarding the families as
necessary for CC to effectively provide this service to families. Referrals for services will be provided
using an approved referral process(Exhibit A).
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The Department will provide information to CC regarding the circumstances which led to protective
concerns for the family, ongoing risk and protection concerns, and family treatment plans. The
Department will also provide ongoing information to CC regarding case planning and family progress as
necessary for CC to effectively provide services.
Term of the Agreement
The term of this agreement shall commence on October 1, 201 land terminates on September 30,2012.
Confidentiality Standard
CC and the Department shall comply with all applicable standards; rules and regulations regarding
confidentiality arid treatment of clients as such may be related to their responsibilities.
Termination of the Agreement
This Agreement may be terminated by CC or by the Department upon 30 days'written notice in the event
of the other party's failure to perform in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
Assignment and Subcontracting
CC is not obligated or liable under this agreement to any party other than the Department named herein.
Non-Discrimination in Employment and Service Delivery
In connection with the delivery of services under this Agreement, CC agrees not to refuse to hire,
discharge,promote or demote, or to discriminate in matters of compensation against any person otherwise
qualified, solely because of race, creed, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation or
ancestry. CC further agrees not to refuse services for any person otherwise eligible, solely because of
race,creed, color,religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, or ancestry.
Indemnity
The Department shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless CC, its successors and assignees, and its
Directors, officers, agents, and employees against any and all losses or damages to property or injuries to
or death of any person or persons, including property and employees or agents of CC and defend, release,
indemnify and save and hold harmless CC from all claims, demands, suits, losses, and expenses, direct,
indirect, or consequential (including but not limited to fees and charges of attorneys and other
professionals and court costs), actions or proceedings of any kind or nature, including but not limited to
workers'compensation claims, resulting or arising from negligence or misconduct by the Department in
the performance of this Agreement.
Insurance
During the term of this contract, and any extension(s)hereof, CC agrees that it will keep in force an
insurance policy or policies, issued by a company authorized to do business in Colorado, in the kinds and
minimum amounts specified below. In the event of cancellation of any such coverage, CC shall
immediately notify the Department of such cancellation.
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Standard Worker's Compensation and Employers' Liability as required by Colorado statute,
covering all employees on or off the work site, acting within the course and scope of their
employment.
2. General, Personal Injury, Professional, Automobile Liability(including bodily injury, personal
injury and property damage)with minimum coverage of:
• Occurrence basis policy: combined single limit of$1,000,000 or Claims-Made policy:
Combined single limit of$1,000,000
• Annual Aggregate Limit policy: Not less than $3,000,000 plus agreement that the
contractor will purchase additional insurance to replenish the limit to $3,000,000 if
claims reduce the annual aggregate below $3,000,000.
Authority
This Agreement is upon execution a valid and binding obligation between CC and the County, and
making and performance of which has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or official or other
action, and will not constitute a violation of any law or requirement imposed by ajudicial or arbitral body
or governmental instrumentality, nor the charter or by-laws of statute, ordinance or regulation controlling
CC, nor a default under any agreement or instrument by which it is bound or affected.
Neither the making nor performance of this Agreement requires the consent or approval of any
governmental instrumentality nor, if such consent or approval is required, such has been obtained.
In Witness Whereof, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement the day and year
first above written.
By: ✓ O 41421BY:
Si natur " Signature
-J ud A . C—tr; eQ 6 eG/J7xurs �'fel< f i/.90J
Judy Griegb J Catholic Charities Representative
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Title Title
12 O1 9-OI I // - 2 3- .2.o//
Date Date
6
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ATTEST:
Weld County Clerk to the Board 1161 t ARD OF COUNTY COMMINSSIONERS
ELD COUNTY, COLORADO
BY: - �� r"� Lt _
Deputy Cler 'o the Board £hair Barbara Kir eyer
DEC 2 1 2011
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
ru e Barker, County Attorney
7
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Exhibit A
Catholic Charities Referral Form
Case Name:Full Name Household Number:XXXXXXX
Caseworker: Full Name Trails Case ID:XXXXXXX
Caseworker Phone: (XXX)XXX-XXXX ext.XXXX
Catholic Charities Participant: Full Name(s)
Service Referred To: Choose Service
Participant Relationship to Case: Parent/Custodian,Kin, Foster-Adopt Parent
Children Involved DOB
1.Name MM/DD/YYYY
2.Name MM/DD/YYYY
3.Name MM/DD/YYYY
4.Name MM/DD/YYYY
5.Name MM/DD/YYYY
6.Name MM/DD/YYYY
Reason for Referral: Enter Text Here
Brief Case History: Enter Text Here
CASEWORKERS: PLEASE EMAIL A COPY OF THIS REFERRAL,ALONG WITH A COPY OF THE MOST
RECENT FSP AND/OR D&N AFFIDAVIT TO LISKA FRASER-WILLIAMS. YOUR REFERRAL WILL NOT
BE FORWARDED TO THE PROVIDER WITHOUT THIS INFORMATION.
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Weld Catholic Charities Promoting Safe and Stable Families Year End Summary
Report provided to: Weld County Department of Human Services
Provided by: Enita Kearns-Hout, Regional Director and Cheri Anderson,Family
Services Director Catholic Charities of Weld County
Date: October 31,2011
Catholic Charities provided services in three specific areas to clients referred by DHS:
case management, adoption and kinship support and parenting education.
The following is a summary of referrals from the Department of Human Services and
client services provided by Catholic Charities in response to the referrals:
October 1,2010 to September 30,2011
Number of Referrals for Parenting Classes
Case Management
23 (North Weld) 14 Families Referred
9(S. Weld)+20 Families 9 families graduated from
referred by DHS but not the Nurturing Parenting
through the normal Class
channels 5 Families received
Total of: 52 Nurturing Parenting one on
one in their homes.
Case Management
Catholic Charities provided direct case management services to 52 families during this
reporting period. The Family Advocate providing case management services helped each
family identify strengths and goals when developing an action/treatment plan. The
Advocate worked with the family to access needed resources and navigate systems that
were complex and overwhelming to these families. The Advocates work with the families
until they met their goals and no longer need Catholic Charities services or an agreement
was made with DHs to terminate services.
Direct services included: parenting classes, assisting families with applying for HCBS
(Home Care Based Services),emergency rental/utility assistance,housing assistance,
TANF and Food Stamps.
Referrals were made for Families to Ft. Lupton Clothing and Food Bank, Weld County
Food Bank, Connections for Independent Living,North Range Behavioral Health, Job
Services, Greeley/Weld Housing Authority,Low-Income Housing, The Women's Place,
Greeley Transitional House, Kinship Liaison with DHS, Salvation Army, Habitat
Restore, Clothing Bank, Lee Ann's Closet, Covered With Love, Women2Women,
Colorado Legal Services, Families in Transition, BOCES, Bridges of Hope, Round-Up,
Almost Home, Our Center,LEAP, Green Path, Ft. Lupton Methodist Church, and various
local churches.
Support Groups
Catholic Charities has continued to provide monthly Kinship Support Groups in Greeley
and S. Weld for support,training and fellowship. The vast majority of the kinship
parents are grandparents who in their senior years a stepping up to raise their
grandchildren. While the training has always been enlightening for the relative
caregivers,they report that the support and fellowship has been critical to sustaining them
through many challenges they had never before encountered. Isolation is a challenge
often referred to by grandparents raising grandchildren. Parents who attend
Education/Support Groups have inspired,encouraged, and provided positive
reinforcement to each other. The parents share information and resources and gain the
self-confidence and skills needed to move toward self-sufficiency,thus increasing their
ability to ensure a safe and nurturing environment both for themselves and their children.
Adam Trujillo, Weld County Kinship Coordinator from DHS continues to partner with
Catholic Charities to advocate for the kinship parents. His knowledge regarding
available services and support is extremely valuable to the parents trying to navigate
service streams for the children in their care. Through these groups dinners and
meetings, 50 adults and 60 children were served at the Greeley groups and 15 adults and
16 children were served at the Fort Lupton groups. This is a great example of how
community collaborations can benefit Weld County's needy children whose placement in
foster care is reduced or avoided because of the commitment of a grandparent or relative
to provide a stable home. These children present significant challenges because they
often have suffered neglect and abuse in the past or multiple placements Kinship parents
may receive one on one case management and advocacy services again in an effort to
avoid out of home placements and to preserve permanency.
Catholic Charities purchased books towards building a lending library and educational
resource for Adoptive Parents. We continue to work collaboratively with the Department
of Human Services when requested to recruit adoptive parent and participate where
appropriate in service delivery to assure permanency for children in adoptive families and
support to those families during their challenging healing journey. Referrals were made
to DHS and to Catholic Charities Denver office for perspective parents wishing to adopt.
Parenting Education
Catholic Charities provided Nurturing Parenting Classes to 9 families. An additional 5
families received Nurturing Parenting one on one in their homes.
Two twelve week parenting classes were hold in January, 2011 and July, 2011. Catholic
Charities utilized The Nurturing Parent curriculum which is a national program
developed by Stephen Bavolek, Ph.D. to prevent child abuse and neglect.
The Nurturing Parenting classes covered the following areas: Nurturing as a Philosophy
in Parenting and as a Lifestyle, Childhood growth and Development, Discipline with
Dignity, Empathy/ability to understand your children and their Development of Empathy,
Managing Feelings/Dealing with stress and handling anger, Positive
Communication/Problem Solving in Family Meetings, Self-
worth/Empowerment/Praising and Encouraging Children and Safety in the
Home/Drug/Alcohol Abuse and Violent relationships. Meals are always provided at each
class.
Monthly Reports/Monthly Meetings
Catholic Charities provided monthly progress reports to DHS regarding all open case
management families. Catholic Charities meets quarterly with Liska Fraser-Williams,
title to review cases and to share the progress and needs of the clients and assess progress
of the collaborative programs.
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