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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20073400 RESOLUTION RE: APPROVE SECOND SEMI-ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT FOR THE BUILDING HEALTHY MARRIAGES PROJECT 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 Second Semi-Annual Progress Report for the Building Healthy Marriages Project 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 Social Services, to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, for a period commencing April 1, 2007, and ending September 29, 2007, with further terms and conditions being as stated in said report, and WHEREAS, after review, the Board deems it advisable to approve said report, 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, ex-officio Board of Social Services, that the Second Semi-Annual Progress Report for the Building Healthy Marriages Project 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 Social Services,to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,Administration for Children and Families be, and hereby is, approved. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Board that the Chair be, and hereby is, authorized to sign said report. The above and foregoing Resolution was, on motion duly made and seconded, adopted by the following vote on the 31st day of October, A.D., 2007, nunc pro tunc April 1, 2007. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS , ' WEI COUNTY, COLO_ DO ATTEST: r \. : avid E. Long, Chair Weld County Clerk to the - a �� tiet61 William H. e; Pro-Tem BY: Dep Clerk the Board / Willi mF. Garcia APPROVED AS TO FORM: Robert D. Masden 1115. -Co my A rney ilutgli7"::tevAr Rademach r Date of signature: Ir7 2007-3400 SS0034 (' f , SSC( o 5 //-a/ —o7 a (iVis; DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES P.O. BOX A igiipe GREELEY, CO. 80632 Website:www.co.weld.co.us Administration and Public Assistance(970)352-1551 Fax Number(970)353-5215 COLORADO Memorandum TO: David E. Long, Chair Date: October 29, 2007 Board of County Commissioners FR: Judy A. Griego, Director, Social Services % t/��} �7 RE: Building Healthy Marriages Project Semi=Annual Progress Report 2 for the OFA Healthy Marriage Demonstration Program. Enclosed for Board approval is the Building Healthy Marriages Project Semi-Annual Progress Repot#2. The major provisions of the report are as follows: 1. The report encompasses activities that have occurred from October 1, 2006 through to September 30, 2007 2. All of the allowable activities have been initiated and are receiving clientele for service. Policies for issues of domestic violence, faith-based regulations, and voluntary participation have been developed and initiated. Of the service unit goals 5 out of 9 were met and exceeded, giving a total of 332 service units. Baseline infonnation for program evaluation has been collected and analyzed supporting the need for such a program in Weld County. Implementation issues have been identified with relevant plan of actions to improve the programmatic issues. 3. The cost of the Building Healthy Marriage Project is as follows: Federal Grant: $855,138.28* TANF MOE Reduction Reserve: $102,702.00 TANF Community Investment: $ 60,866.26 If you have any questions, please contact me. 2007-3400 DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES Semi-Annual Progress Report-Cover Sheet *This cover sheet must accompany all reports submitted* Grant Number: 90FE0134 Budget Period 09/30/2006 to 09/29/2007 Project Period 09/30/2006 to 09/29/2011 Grantee Name and Address: David Long, Weld County Commissioner, Weld County Dep ent of Social Services, 315B North 11th Ave, Greeley, CO 80631 cv3. OCT 31 2007 David Long, Chair Date Telephone Number: (970) 352-1551 Project Title: Healthy Marriage Demonstration, Priority Area 2 Period Covered by Report: April 1, 2007 thru September 29, 2007 (Check One) First Semi-Annual Progress Report Second Semi-Annual Progress Report X Final Report Name and Phone Number of Project Director: Paule S Brown (970) 352-1551 ext 6552 Author's Name and Telephone Number: Ann Bruce (970) 352-1551 ext.6225 Date of Report: _October 30, 2007 Report Number: (Number sequentially beginning with 1) 2 Name of Federal Project Officer: Ms. Michele Walters Comments, (if any): If you have any questions, please contact me: Ann Bruce, Building Healthy Marriages Program Manager(970) 352-1551 ext 6225 was2-.3YolJ Suggested Semi-annual Report Format OFA Healthy Marriage Demonstration Program I. Grant Information—Provide the following information: • Weld County Department of Social Services, 90FE0134 • Government entity • Priority Area — 2 • The target population includes engaged and married couples whose incomes are below 200% of the poverty level residing in Weld County. There is a focus on reaching couples in the northern and southern parts of Weld County. Provisions have been made to meet the needs of our Latino population as well. II. Major Activities and Accomplishments—Provide a summary of your major activities during this reporting period, including those activities that were not completed in the first reporting period, in relation to the projected accomplishments outlined in your project application or subsequently approved revisions providing the following information: From October 2006 through September 2007, efforts began and grew in outreaching to the Weld County community, including the faith-based community to spread the Healthy Marriages message. Community partners met on a monthly basis and the Community Mediation Project provided BHM marriage education classes in a variety of venues, utilizing BHM trainees. The project secured interview spots on local radio stations and in the newspaper. Project marketing outreach efforts included Head Start, Social Services, Sertoma, Kiwanis, State Farm, Hispanic Women's Group, Catholic Charities, Migrant Council, Chambers of Commerce, Department of Public Health, Sunrise Health Clinic, Weld County Children's Festival, Fort Lupton Trapper Days and numerous local churches. BHM staff manned an information booth for the Cinco de Mayo celebration on May 5, 2007 as well as at the local Children's Festival, Department of Social Services lobby, Employment Services lobby, town celebrations, community fun fests, church community outreach events, and the University of Northern Colorado Fall Bizarre. Flyers and welcome letters were sent to Weld County couples who applied for marriage licenses to invite them to participate through premarital inventory opportunities. Billboards and bus benches were designed to be multi-cultural and in both Spanish and English. They were put up throughout the county. In July the Project received Federal approval to add the position of Hispanic Outreach Coordinator to assist in recruitment within the Latino Community. This individual was hired and Hispanic participants made up the second largest ethnic group. The Hispanic Healthy Marriage Initiative held a forum in September in which BHM staff members spoke on the panel about recruiting Hispanic couple to a marriage project. The Project hosted two kick off events in the fall, one in Greeley and one in Fort Lupton, as well as a Labor Day 1st Annual BHM Fun Run, attended by a record number of 350 people, and two Marriage Symposiums, one in Greeley and one in Fort Lupton. BHM also co-hosted an informational gala in which Building Healthy Marriages was highlighted and Dr. L. Parrot was the keynote speaker. This event was attended by 156 community, faith-based, and state leaders where discussion for strategies to sustain the Project was initiated. The Project Website was completed, flyers and 10/29/2007 posters were printed and distributed and information kiosks were developed. Another technological activity includes all the partners of BHM continuing to work together with the Tapestry system to ensure coordinated and thorough data collection and tracking. The multi-partner contract with Tapestry is moving forward to the final stage of development. Training for those directly involved with providing services included cultural competency, domestic violence awareness, substance abuse awareness, working with Faith-Based community, setting boundaries and assessment /family advocacy training was completed. The Project's continues to be evaluated via program satisfaction surveys, marital satisfaction inventory pre-test and more definitively through the post—test to be given on the anniversary of the couples joining the Building Healthy Marriages. The first post-tests are scheduled to be administered in January of 2008. Finally, goals were set and exceeded in the following areas: Assessments, Marriage Seminars, Conflict Resolution class, Financial Management, and Marriage Enrichment weekends. • Allowable Activity Area(s) — Identify the allowable activity area as stated within your approved grant application. • Schedule of Accomplishments - List accomplishments in chronological order and provide target dates, where available, from your project proposal. • Projected Accomplishments — Provide quantitative projections of the accomplishments to be achieved, the projected number to be achieved during this budget year (i.e. FY 2007) and the number achieved to date. Include a short description of what is being counted. Allowable Activity/ Schedule of Projected Accomplishments Activity Accomplishment for Accomplishments for FY 07 for FY 07 Area(s)' FY 07 Proposed Date of Target' #during #to date completion completion/ this completed date status reporting 3 period served2 1(Public Presentations for October— February— Advertising) recruitment were September September made to the Greeley, Platteville, Evans and Carbon Valley Chambers of Commerce, Latina Women's Group, Catholic Charities, Promises for Children Coordinating Council, UW of Weld County, DSS Case Managers, Weld Chapter of Colorado Children's Association, CSU-TRiO program, Kenton Manor, Salud Clinic,Weld County Health Department, Transitional House, A 10/29/2007 Woman's Place, Room at the Inn. 1(Public BHM staff provided October— February-- Advertising) information to citizens September September for the purpose of recruitment at the following events: Twombly Elementary Parents Fair, Kiwanis of the Rockies, Union Colony Kiwanis, KFKA Radio, KGRE Radio, Balsam Park, School District 6 Literacy Fair, DSS Lobby event, Cinco de Mayo, Kersey Community Celebration,Windsor Days, Ft. Lupton DSS Facility Opening, Church of God of Prophecy Neighborhood Day, UNC Fall Bizarre, Ft. Lupton Trapper Days Bittersweet Park, Greeley Fun Fests, Greeley Tribune, Northern Colorado Women's Magazine 1(Public BHM Web Site was April May Advertising) developed 1(Public Informational April May 5 Advertising) brochures were developed and distributed in both Spanish and English 1(Public Advertising spots May-Kick Off May Advertising) were placed on the July-Kick Off July radio and in July-Fun Run August newspapers July- September Symposiums 1(Public Advertising spots May-Kick Off May Advertising) were placed on the July-Kick Off July radio and in July-Fun Run August newspapers July- September Symposiums 1(Public Kick Off events were North —May North—May Advertising) held in North and South—July South—July South Weld County 1(Public Healthy Marriage May May Advertising) Month was declared by the City of Greeley and Weld County 1(Public Letters of invitation May May/June Advertising) were sent to marriage license applicants 10/29/2007 sent to marriage license applicants 1(Public Billboard and bus June June Advertising) bench advertising was completed in both Spanish and English 1(Public Posters were June July 9 Advertising) developed and distributed in both Spanish and English 1(Public Informational Kiosks August September Advertising) were developed 1(Public Family Fun Run was September September 3 Advertising) held 22 1 (Public Symposiums in North September September Advertising) and South County 20 20 September September 27 27 1 (Public Informational Gala to September September Advertising) discuss the 25 sustainability of BHM with Dr. L. Parrot as the keynote speaker 1(Public Advertising was Advertising) restricted to event- specific promotions and educational announcements 3(Marriage Needs and Eligibility 125 131 131 education) Assessments 3(Marriage Marriage Seminars 40 51 51 education) 3(Marriage Conflict Resolution 40 51 + 15 51 + 15 education) 3(Marriage Financial 20 28 28 education) Management 3(Marriage Employment Training 50 7 7 education) Services 3(Marriage Health Insurance 5 9 9 education) Access 4 (Pre- Premarital 40 11 11 marital) Inventories 5(Marriage Marriage Enrichment 20 29 29 enhancement Weekends 5(Marriage Marriage Boosters 10 3 3 enhancement 7 (Marriage Marriage Mentoring 20 6 6 mentoring) 10/29/2007 Ill. Compliances and Assurances Domestic Violence - A key aspect of successful marriage education program is the safety of its participants. The creators of the Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program (PREP) curriculum emphasize that it is not designed as treatment for domestic violence. To insure that individuals are not further victimized through involvement or attempted involvement with this project, strategies include: • intake meeting will include completion of a simply-written consent form that: o emphasizes the voluntary nature of project activities o is presented verbally and in writing o is available in English and Spanish • portions of the assessment is done individually, so that each person in a relationship has the opportunity to express themselves without direct input from the other person • each assessment uses the same questions, so an abuser is not alerted by variations • domestic violence experts will be involved in design of assessment materials • staff have received training on domestic abuse • recruitment coordination partners have received similar information to assist them in their roles • marriage education curriculum covers appropriate personal boundaries • Intake and assessment sites include handouts on domestic violence, which will be displayed with other materials. • Collaborative efforts have been initiated with Women's Place, an agency that focuses on domestic violence issues. • Focus by referral base agencies to expand and create DV programs. • Weld County is assessing how all of its agencies are addressing and/or expanding DV issues. Faith Based Regulations —Training was presented on two separate occasions, about conducting marriage education, creating and supporting healthy marriages, and community services as per the Faith-Based Regulations. The first training was held in March of 2007 and was attended by the lead agency and the partners. The second training was held in July of this year to train the educational administration partners and other faith-based and community organizations. To provide the base for these services, faith-based and community organization leaders have become certified in the secular version of PREP/ENRICH marriage education curriculum and participating couples are given a choice between secular and non-secular classroom settings. Partners also provide an atmosphere in which diverse individuals are comfortable discussing issues related to marriage, and provide a variety of services, including conflict resolution training, marriage seminars, marriage enrichment weekends, financial and other training. Documentation of compliance is maintained with the Weld County Department of Social Services with specific policies and procedures addressing the Faith Based Regulations in the Building Healthy Marriages handbook. 10/29/2007 Voluntary Participation —The means that our program ensures that activities are voluntary begin with our intake meeting that does include completion of a simply-written consent form that: o emphasizes the voluntary nature of project activities o is presented verbally and in writing o is available in English and Spanish Also our program utilizes a large referral base that include United Way of Weld County, Head Start programs, family practice clinics, the BOCES Migrant Program, Promises for Children, the Right to Read program, faith-based organizations, and the Department of Social Services. Couples may also be referred from within the Department when they access Food Stamps, Medicaid, TANF, child support, or other services. The emphasis on the project activities being voluntary is echoed throughout the literature and verbal presentations given on behalf of Building Healthy Marriages. IV. Data Collection - Provide numbers of participants served during the project period. Numbers must reflect your total project numbers for each allowable activity area. For those grantees serving Allowable Activity One, Public Advertising Campaigns, you need not report units served. Allowable Activity Unit Number of units per FY 07 Number of units since Area Award date(Sept. 06) Target #to Date #to Date completed completed Allowable Activity#3 Assessments Couples 125 Couples 131 Couples 131 Couples Marriage Seminars Couples 40 Couples 51 Couples 51 Couples Conflict Resolution Couples 40 Couples 51 + 15 51+15 Couples(51 within Couples the context of the Marriage Seminars; 15 received more intensive services by request Financial Management Couples 20 Couples 28 Couples 28 Couples Employment Services Individuals 50 7 Individuals 7 individuals Individuals Allowable Activity#4 Premarital Inventories Couples 40 Couples 11 Couples 11 Couples Allowable Activity#5 Marriage Enrichment Couples 20 Couples 29 Couples 29 Couples Weekends Marriage Boosters Couples 10 Couples 3 Couples 3 Couples Allowable Activity#7 Marriage Mentoring Couples 20 Couples 6 Couples 6 Couples 10/29/2007 V. Evaluation—Provide information on general project evaluation activities as they relate to your measurement outcomes. The MSI-R was chosen as the evaluation instrument for measuring marital stability as it measures the following: • Affective • Family History of • Conflict Over Communication Distress Childrearing • Role Orientation • Time Together • Dissatisfaction Over Sex • Problem-Solving • Dissatisfaction With • Global Distress Communication Children • Aggression • Disagreements About Finances Major reasons were that it is translated into Spanish, normed on different ethnic groups, reading level appropriate to population (around 6-7th grade reading level is suggested) good psychometric properties, and has very important subscales, some of which are of particular interest for this grant (ie. Global Distress, Disagreements about Finances, and subscales addressing areas of conflict or potential conflict, including Problem-Solving Communication, Aggression, and Conflict over childrearing). It is widely used, but has not been used with PREP. However, it is one of the more current tests, having been originally developed around 1985 and revised in mid-1990. Several other BHM projects around the country are also using this inventory. Significant MSI-R Statistics Table 2: MSI-R statistics (151 Administration) Selected MSI-R Scales • MSI-R scores above 84 indicate that from January through September 2007 the respondent's perspective problems exist MSI-R#1 Norm in the couple's marriage. Global Distress • Global distress is the best overall measure n(valid test responses) 120 - of marital satisfaction. Respondents in this Mean 8.1 4.1 sample reflect global distress at about the Std. Deviation 5.5 5.2 80th percentile as compared to the norm. Percentile Rank 80`h - 42% of the valid responses scored above % perceiving a problem 42% - the 84th percentile, indicating their problems are significant to them. Affective Communication • The Affective Communication Scale (AFC) n (valid test responses) 124 - reflects the least degree of problems of the Mean 5.2 3.7 four scales and lowest percentile rank at the Std. Deviation 3.2h 3.3 th Percentile Rank 76 - 76 percentile of the normative sample. - Only 28% view affective communication as % perceiving a problem 28% a significant problem in their relationship. Problem Solving Comm. • The Problem Solving Communication Scale n (valid test responses) 116 - (PSC) ranks in the 82nd percentile when Mean 11.1 6.6 compared to the normative sample, Std. Deviation 4.6 5.0 representing the greatest level of distress in Percentile Rank 82nd the scales. 47% of the respondents % perceiving a problem 47% - indicated that there they are experiencing Financial Disagreement problems in this area. n(valid test responses) 126 - • The Financial Disagreement Scale (FIN) Mean 5.1 2.9 reflects the next highest amount of distress Std. Deviation 2.8 2.7 of these four scales at the 815t percentile. Percentile Rank 8l s` - 43% of the valid responses indicated a % perceiving a problem 43% - problem with finances. 10/29/2007 • In summary, over 40% of the couples in the sample reported experiencing significant relationship distress. Problem solving communication is the most significant concern, followed by financial and affective communication problems. VI. Stories of Impact—Provide any significant stories or insights during this reporting period concerning the impact of your program to provide Healthy Marriage education services. Participants in the Project have consistently provided positive reports about the impact the activities and service providers have made on their lives. On a satisfaction survey administered at the end of Marriage Seminars, participants rated the Project on a 1-10 scale, with 10 being the highest rating. Thirty-five couples rated the activities at a 10; 4 at a 9; 3 rated the activities at an 8; 2 at a 7 and 1 at a 5. Testimony from participants was positive. "I just want to say thank you! We have learned so much and we are so much closer. Almost like when we were first married. Our communication is much better. We are climbing out of our daily routine and realize how important it is to have time together as a couple. Thank you so much and please continue the work you are doing. You are truly saving marriages one at a time." PC — wife. "I went in thinking I was going to do things because that's what my wife wanted and the class really changed my whole life. I think couples as a whole can benefit from learning how to talk to one another. I think that's why couples don't last is they don't know haw to address each other's wants and needs." Husband. Recruitment is the first part of a successful program. The Building Healthy Marriage Project Coordinator began each recruitment session by emphasizing the importance of the program to the children of the family. He indicates that not only do Mom and Dad strengthen their relationship, but the kids begin to view the family differently making the family unit much more successful. One father even stated how proud he was that his children, especially his sons, were witness to his participation in this program. The most significant finding with recruitment was the best practices to recruit the male participants. The Marriage Project Coordinator brought to the position the unique perspective of a male that when they enter programs such as this; they come thinking that they will be blamed for any problems with the relationship. However, as the men found that the program was not about therapy, blaming or embarrassing, but discovering and building on strengths, they got excited. They got so excited that they started inviting their friends, workmates, and family members. Word of mouth has therefore become a major marketing and motivational factor for the men. Once recruited, the next step in a successful project is retention and that was achieved by building a sense of community in which couples feel that they are respected for who they are and engaged as in an accepting, interactive learning environment. Quite often the participants list the attention and support of the family advocates as well as the actual curriculum contents as strengths of the program. An email recently received from a participant stated "I just wanted to tell you how much my husband and I enjoyed Session One of the seminar last night. Even after being married 25 years, we found really good information in the materials and presentation." Another couple came to 10/29/2007 BHM married for 46 years, but has been separated for the past 6 months and seriously talking about divorce. However, after completing the marriage education seminar and weekend enrichment they commented on the fact that they were treated with such respect honored for their experiences and were supported in their efforts to be a strong couple again. Because of their experience with BHM they have decided to move back and have started planning a second life together. There has been an unexpected but positive outcome noted in year one. Due to the improved communication skills learned at the Marriage Education Seminars, some of the women have been able to express to their husbands how important going to college was to them. At this point we have had several women enroll in the local community college. VII. Implementation Issues and Concerns — Describe any deviations from the original project plan during this reporting period, including instances in which projected activities or schedules were not accomplished as anticipated. Describe special problems encountered or expected. Please use this section to advise the program specialist or grants management specialist of any assistance your organization may need. The Project set a goal of 50 individuals attending Employment Services of Weld County employability seminars. This six-week long seminar, however, attracted only a handful of participants. Participants indicated that the extra time commitment was more than they could take on. Furthermore, participants indicated that their need was for immediate employment. BHM adjusted its goal for year two, and will continue to work with Employment Services to develop a more condensed format for participants. Other options under investigation are to expand employment services to include the local secondary education institutes and contract with someone to meet the individual needs of the participants searching for employment. Really look into employment services and see what they have to offer. In addition, it was difficult to interest couples in completing the Premarital Inventories. After much discussion, it was decided to rename the activity"Relationship Inventory' in the hope of generating more interest. The second year goal will remain the same. Financial Management was rolled into Marriage Seminars, again in response to couples' concerns about time commitment, adding one session to the seminars and allowing all participants access to that important information. Not being able to begin services October 1 did create some problems related to completing goals. However, due to the pilot project initiated by Weld County, we were able to have the first marriage seminar in January. This contributed to completing and exceeding some of the goals. Marriage Mentoring got off the ground, with 6 couples participating. Additional couples went through preparation to begin that activity, and others expressed interest in it, but they will have to wait until year two to begin. Marriage Boosters could not be scheduled until couples had completed the Marriage Seminars, with the late start impacting the number of couples that could participate before the end of Year I. 10/29/2007 VIII. Financial Status— SF 269 (Long Form): You are required to submit this standard form to report the financial status of your project to the ACF Office of Grants Management. Click here to access a blank SF 269 Long Form, or it can also be accessed here: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/qrants/grants resources.html See Attached. Glossary for terminology in these instructions: ' Target- A numerical objective indicating a project's desired level of achievement during the budget period (i.e. FY 2007). Refer to your approved grant application when possible. 2 # during this reporting period served — Identify the number of participants that have received a minimum of eight hours of marriage education. 3 # to date completed — Identify the number of participants that have completed your marriage education program. If class is more than eight hours, completed can be counted as receiving at least 75% of the curriculum. Reports are to be submitted by October 30,2007. Please submit two hard copies of your final report to your assigned Grants Management Specialist: To send by U.S. Postal Service: Ms. Carla Stuckey Grants Management Specialist Office of Grants Management 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW 6th Floor East 10/29/2007 Washington, DC 20447 Phone: (202) 401-4965 As a courtesy to the Office of Grants Management, please do not send binders, as there is limited storage space. Please provide an electronic copy to your assigned program specialist at the OFA Office: Ms. Michele Walters Federal Project Officer Office of Family Assistance 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW 5th Floor East Washington, DC 20447 Phone: (202) 401-5726 Email: michele.walters@acf.hhs.gov 10/29/2007 Hello