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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20241623.tiffRESOLUTION RE: APPROVE COMBINED APPLICATION FOR CHAFEE PROGRAM FUNDS, COLORADO FOSTER YOUTH SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION TO ADULTHOOD GRANT PROGRAM FUNDS, AND COLORADO FOSTERING SUCCESS VOUCHER PROGRAM, AND AUTHORIZE CHAIR AND DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES 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 Combined Application for Chafee Program Funds, Colorado Foster Youth Successful Transition to Adulthood Grant Program Funds, and Colorado Fostering Success Voucher 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, to the Colorado Department of Human Services, Division of Child Welfare, Office of Children, Youth and Families, commencing upon full execution of signatures, 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 Combined Application for Chafee Program Funds, Colorado Foster Youth Successful Transition to Adulthood Grant Program Funds, and Colorado Fostering Success Voucher 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, to the Colorado Department of Human Services, Division of Child Welfare, Office of Children, Youth and Families, be, and hereby is, approved. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Board that the Chair, Jamie Ulrich, Director of the Department of Human Services, and Leonard Bottorff, Department of Human Services, be, and hereby are, authorized to sign said application. cc: E-ISD, $ cT(cP/co) 2024-1623 HR0096 COMBINED APPLICATION FOR CHAFEE PROGRAM FUNDS, COLORADO FOSTER YOUTH SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION TO ADULTHOOD GRANT PROGRAM FUNDS, AND COLORADO FOSTERING SUCCESS VOUCHER PROGRAM PAGE 2 The above and foregoing Resolution was, on motion duly made and seconded, adopted by the following vote on the 19th day of June, A.D., 2024. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WELD COUNT ATTEST: m J „i:4 Weld County Clerk to the Board BY: Ltt1?1 tc.)A Tic. Deputy Clerk to the Board APP'.VED County orney Date of signature: Kevin D., J oss, Chair Perry L. Bu , Pro-Tem Mike Frman ri Saine 2024-1623 HR0096 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PASS -AROUND REVIEW PASS -AROUND TITLE: Colorado Department of Human Services Chafee and Colorado Foster Youth Successful Transaction to Adulthood Grant Program Combined Application DEPARTMENT: Human Services DATE: June 11, 2024 PERSON REQUESTING: Jamie Ulrich, Director, Human Services Brief description of the problem/issue: The Department is requesting to respond to the Colorado Department of Human Services Chafee and Colorado Foster Youth Successful Transition to Adulthood Grant Program Combined Grant solicitation. This combined Grant Application will include the State Chafee Foster Care Independence Program, Colorado State Grant (HB21-1094), and Colorado Fostering Success Voucher Program (SB23-082). The populations that will be served are as follows: • Population #1: Ages fourteen (14) through seventeen (17) years (Chafee only). • Population #2: Ages eighteen (18) through twenty-three (23) years (Chafee and/or 1094 funds). • Population #3: Ages eighteen (18) to twenty-six (26) years (Colorado Fostering Success Voucher Program SB23-082). Goals of the Programs include: ❖ Chafee program provides help with education, employment, financial management, housing, emotional support, and assured connections to caring adults for older youth in foster care. • Colorado Foster Youth Successful Transition to Adulthood Grant Program (HB21-1094). The purpose of the grant program is to create and administer programs that support eligible youth in making a successful transition to adulthood. This funding helps to support youth who have chosen to participate with case management and supportive services such as a paid work experience, supplies for independent living (furniture, clothes, and move out kits).' Many of the same services that are provided in regular Chafee are also provided with this funding but is specific to youth who have entered the Colorado Foster Youth Successful Transition to Adulthood Grant Program. ❖ Colorado Fostering Success Voucher Program (SB23-082). The purpose of this program is to provide housing vouchers to eligible recipients and to provide developmentally appropriate case management services to voucher recipients. • Amount requested for each Program: e State Chafee Foster Care Independence Program $114,774.00 • Colorado State Grant (HB21-1094) $108,647.00 }� Colorado Fostering Success Voucher Program (S623-082) $180,282.00 What options exist for the Board? • Approval to submit a combined application for the Colorado Department of Human Services Chafee and Colorado Foster Youth Successful Transition to Adulthood Grant Program. • Deny approval to submit a combined application for the Colorado Department of Human Services Chafee and Colorado Foster Youth Successful Transition to Adulthood Grant Program. Pass -Around Memorandum; June 11, 2024 — Not in CMS 2024-1623 to/lq H YZCO9(o Consequences: The Department of Human Services' Employment Services of Weld County (ESWC) Division will not apply for the grant funding. Impacts: The Department of Human Services' Employment Services of Weld County (ESWC) Division will not have funding to administer Foster Youth Services. Costs (Current Fiscal Year / Ongoing or Subsequent Fiscal Years): • Total grant request = $403,703.00 • Funded through the State Department of Local Affairs. • Performance Period: October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025 (Chafee), and July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025 for the State Grant Program. Recommendation: • Approval of the Chafee Services Plan and Combined Chafee State Grant Application and authorize the Department Director and the Chair to sign. Support Recommendation Schedule Place on BOCC Agenda Work Session Other/Comments: Perry L. Buck, Pro-Tem Mike Freeman Scott K. James Kevin D. Ross, Chair Lori Saine Pass -Around Memorandum; June 11, 2024 — Not in CMS. COLORADO Office of Children, Youth & Families 1V .1. I ;ji:' :"/, il,it.' SECTION 1: REQUEST FOR STATE APPROVAL OF PLAN Identify which funding you are applying for (check all that apply): ✓ Chafee Program funds ✓ Colorado Foster Youth Successful Transition to Adulthood Grant Program (HB21-1094) funding ✓ Colorado Fostering Success Voucher Program (SB23-082) Is the agency coordinating this application a county department of human/social services or is the local department a collaborative partner in this application? • Yes Name of county department of human/social services: Weld County Department of Human Services Will the program be providing letters of support from local youth serving organizations (Runaway and Homeless Youth (RHY) Providers, Continuums of Care (COC) and others) along with this application? • Yes For guidance, background, and definitions that will be helpful in completing the applications you can follow this link. Please complete all portions of the plan for the Chafee Foster Care Independence Program (Chafee) and/or application for the Colorado Foster Youth Successful Transition to Adulthood Grant Program (State Grant Program) . This application for funding is hereby submitted for Weld County DHS , for the performance period of October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025 (Chafee) and July 1, 2024 through June 30th 2025 for the State Grant program The Plan includes the following: • Completed and Signed "Request for State Approval" form • Completed "FFY22 Program Plan Cover Page" form • Completed "Statement of Assurances" form • Completed "Narrative Summary and Program Description" form • Completed and Signed "Regional Collaborative MOU(s)" (if applicable) • Completed "Financial Pre -award Questionnaire" form • Completed "Budget and Budget Justification Form Workbook" o Completed "Population to be Served" Worksheet Completed "Budget Template" Worksheet o Completed "Workload Worksheet" (for each worker) This application and plan for Chafee and/or State Grant Program has been developed in accordance with State Department of Human Services rules and is hereby submitted to the Colorado Department of Human Services, Division of Child Welfare for approval. If the enclosed proposed application and plan is approved, the plan will be administered in conformity with its provisions and the provisions of State Department rules and plan requirements. Page 1 of 29 Application Instructions: Programs must fill out the application in its entirety for the funding you are requesting. Applicants only seeking funding through the State Grant Program do not need to complete questions that are specified as Chafee only questions and will not need to complete Appendix A, as this section only pertains to applicants seeking Chafee funding. All applicants must submit a detailed budget on the included budget form which can be found: here. Please be aware that while State Grant Program Funds are available to non -county applicants, Chafee funds must include a County agency as the lead agency. Only one agency will be awarded funds for each geographic area unless both agencies have an MOU that outlines how they will coordinate programing in a non-competitive manner. Contact Information: Primary Contact: Name: Jasmin Dominguez Title: Youth Life Skills Navigator (Chafee Worker) Supervisor/Administrator Contact: Name: Greg Cordova Title: Youth Employment Et Training Supervisor Accounting Contact: Name: Lennie Rnttnrff Title: Senior Fiscal Advisor Phone:970-400-6761 9 70- 400-6 761 Email: jdominguez@weld.gov Phone:970-400-6762 Email: gcordova®weld.gov Phone:970-400-6537 Email: bottorll@weld.gov ti By signing below yottverify that the information provided in this plan is correct and current and the county agrees to provide services in accordance with this plan. Your signature also acknowledges agreement to the statement of assurances found herein. If two or more counties propose this plan, the required signatures below are to be compley each participant county. Please attach an additional signature page as needed. 4- • JUN 1 9 2024 Signature, irector, County Department of Human Services or Executive Director DATE p , ,✓ JUN i 9 2024 Signature, CHAIR, BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS or Appointed Representative DATE ATTEST: Clerk to the Board EIUU Ou&t4 Deputy Clerk to the Board Page 2 of 29 aoa1.:/�a3 Chafee and Colorado Foster Youth Successful Transition to Adulthood Grant Program Combined Application Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2025 and State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2025 Applicant Agency Name: Weld County Department of Human Services SECTION 2: NARRATIVE SUMMARY AND PROGRAM DESCRIPTION Positive Youth Development (PYD) is extremely important in guiding service implementation and should be taken into consideration and documented throughout the annual plan. The PYD principles are provided below. • Strengths -based - Taking a holistic approach that focuses on the inherent strengths of an individual, family or community, then building upon them. • Inclusive - Addressing the needs of all youth by ensuring that our approach is culturally responsive. • Engaging youth as partners - Ensuring the intentional, meaningful, and sustained involvement of youth as equitable partners in the programs, practices, and policies that seek to impact them. • Collaborative - Creating meaningful partnerships within and across sectors to effectively align our work. • Sustainable - Addressing long-term planning through funding, training, capacity building, professional development, and evaluation in order to ensure ongoing support and engagement of youth. When completing each section please provide the requested information for the two separate identified populations: • Population #1: 14 through 17 -year -olds (Chafee only). • Population #2: 18 to 23 -year -olds (Chafee and/or 1094 funds). • Population #3: 18 to 26 year -olds (Colorado Fostering Success Voucher Program) Identification, Outreach, and Waitlist: I. Describe in bulleted detail how the program will identify and engage youth eligible for Chafee services in each of the eligible populations. Population #1: • Youth are referred to Chafee by the Weld County Department of Human Services (WCDHS) Child Welfare (CW) Division through Family Engagement Meetings (FEM), Team Decision Making (TDM) meetings, Crystal Reports, Permanency Round Tables and Adolescent Care Exceptions Reports. • Outreach process: When the referral received by the Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker, contact is made with the youth, the assessment is completed with discussion regarding Chafee being a voluntary program. The Transition Plan is created with the youth, providing ongoing support and services focused on the identified outcomes in the Transition Plan. Population #2 a #3: Page 3 of 29 COLORADO Office of Children Youth & Farnihe: rah f t ' ,' .;�.�r • Young adults are referred to Chafee by the WCDHS CW Division through FEM's TDM's, Crystal Reports, Permanency Round Tables and Adolescent Care Exceptions Reports. • Additionally, young adults are referred to Chafee by the WCDHS CW Division, State Educational and Training Voucher (ETV) list, Permanency Round Tables, or Kinship Caseworker. • Outreach process: When the referral is received by the Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker, contact is made with youth, the assessment is completed with discussion regarding Chafee being a voluntary program. The Transition Plan is created with the youth, providing ongoing support and services focusing on the outcomes in the Transition Plan. II. Describe (in bulleted format) how the county will verify a youth meets the citizenship or qualified alien requirements before accessing Chafee services [SSA Section 472(a)(3), INA Section 245A(h), and INA Section 210(f)]. • At the time of the youth referral to the program, each applicant must verify lawful presence in the United States by the following: Produce either: o Valid Colorado Driver's License or a Colorado Identification Card issued pursuant to Article 2 of Title 42, C.R.S., OR o A United States Military Card or Military Dependent's Identification Card; OR o A United States Merchant Mariner Card; OR o A Native American Tribal Document; OR o Any other document authorized by rules adopted by the Department of Revenue; AND Execute an Affidavit stating that: he or she us a United States citizen or legal permanent resident; OR o He or she is otherwise lawfully present in the United States pursuant to the federal law. III. Describe how the program will operate a waitlist if there is a need for one. Include how the program will prioritize youth with the most need and on what criteria this is based. • The Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker will meet with each young adult referred to Chafee. During the initial assessment, mutually agreed upon goals and outcomes will be developed. Although Weld County does not project moving toward a wait list for Chafee services, if Weld County faces challenges and must initiate a wait list process, young adults facing the most challenging barriers will be prioritized by: 1. Young adults currently experiencing homelessness. 2. Young adults who have aged out of foster care, are not enrolled in secondary education, and have not obtained a High School Diploma or Equivalency. 3. Young adults who have aged out of foster care and are unemployed. 4. Young adults who have aged out of foster care and are underemployed. 5. Young adults who may age out of foster care within 12 months. 6. Young adults ages 16 through 17 currently in out -of -home placement. Page 4 of 29 7. Young adults ages 14 through 15 currently in out -of -home placement. o If Weld County must implement a wait list, foster youth/young adults will be provided with alternative services available through Employment Services of Weld County (ESWC) whenever possible. Alternative available programs include Pillars for Successful Independence (PSI), Resources for Independence Success and Employment (RISE — developed through HB18-1319), Governors Summer Job Hunt (GSJH), and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). Program Narrative: Describe in but feted detail and short summary how the program will design and deliver individualized services to achieve the purposes below. • Legal permanency and lifelong connections A. Describe how your program will partner with the County child welfare agency, will help young people identify, develop, and strengthen relationships with family, kin, mentors, and other supportive adults through the course of ongoing casework practice for youth who continue to have ongoing involvement with child welfare (Population #1). • Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker provide monthly independent living workshops. In addition to the many topics that are covered, workshops also address issues related to appropriate social skills, maintaining relationships, techniques for reaching out to others, and developing their own social traditions. Beginning with their initial involvement in a case, Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker are educating foster and adoptive parents, placement staff, Caseworkers, and kinship providers regarding the importance of their continuing involvement and support of youth after they leave the child welfare system to support their successful emancipation. • Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker participate in TDM's, FEM's, Permanency Round Tables, (participating in other counties as well), youth voice permanency round tables (participate in other counties as well), monthly staffing's and permanency reviews to develop appropriate planning related to emancipation from child welfare and to prepare for appropriate permanency and ongoing supportive relationships. • Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker complete the Youth Connections Scale with youth entering the program. Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker use the information gathered from this assessment to help encourage youth to continue building on connections that they have already identified in their life. Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker will also encourage youth to share this information with their team so that their caseworker, Guardian ad Litem (GAL), Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Workers, foster parents, and anyone else involved can help nurture these relationships while youth are in care. • Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker will refer youth to the PSI program. This program offers workshops for only our youth ages 13 Yz through 16. Page 5 of 29 • Because Chafee is housed in Employment Services of Weld County (ESWC) the Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker schedules office hours at the Child Welfare building to meet with Caseworkers to staff cases and continue ongoing involvement with Child Welfare staff. B For youth 18-23 describe how your program will help young people identify, develop, and strengthen relationships with family, kin, mentors, and other supportive adults, including your program's use of the Youth Connections Scale and other tools to support the development of lifelong connections. • Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker support these connections by engaging the permanent supports that the youth have identified in the Youth Connections Scale as well as the Chafee IL Plan. The worker will continue to review permanent connections often by reviewing the youth's IL plan as well as reviewing the Youth Connections Scale to bolster their permanent connections. Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker will continue to encourage youth to make new connections and maintain already existing relationships within their working circles. Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker work continuously with Caseworkers regarding follow up efforts working from the diligent search findings. The Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker can schedule TDM's at any time with the MDT to focus on lifelong connections. H. Wellbeing A. Describe the services the program will provide to help youth meet their physical, dental and mental health needs. Include your program's efforts to educate and enroll youth in Former Foster Care Medicaid. • The Weld County Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker utilizes many of the services offered by the Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment (WCDPHE). The Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker connect youth to services provided by WCDPHE, including information and resources on sexual health strategies. The Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker includes programming provided by WCDPHE in independent living groups, monthly workshops and individually with youth. • The Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker engage with the Assistance Payments Eligibility Technicians if any youth who qualify for Former Foster Care Medicaid are having issues. With help from the Eligibility Technicians, we can help our youth utilize their insurance as soon as they need it. • Chafee also works with Caseworkers, foster parents, kinship providers, and youth to encourage the youth's ongoing education regarding personal hygiene, regular health care checkups, how to make appointments, and creating a portfolio of the documents needed to access services successfully. Page 6 of 29 Office of Children, Youth C.• Farnilies B Describe the services the program will provide to help young people make informed sexual health decisions and meet their sexual health needs. • The Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker have youth identify on their own what resources they are aware of by way of the Chafee assessment and one on one discussions. Based on the information provided, Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker connect youth to services provided by the WCDPHE, including information and resources on sexual health strategies. This will be a subject in a particular workshop (topic of conversation), one on one discussion, referral to their primary care physician and if n eeded, will refer to other community resources. The Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker also e ncourage youth to research these resources in whatever community they are or will be living in. C. Describe the services and supports the program will provide to young people who are pregnant and parenting. • The Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker connect youth to services provided by community resources, appropriate medical professionals, and parenting classes. The Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker will refer to primary care physicians, the WCDPHE, Safe Care®, Nurse -Family Partnership Program and additional community resources. If there are specific needs that these resources are unable to meet the needs of the youth Chafee will refer the youth to Core Services for assistance. D. Describe the services the county and program will provide to help young people make healthy and developmentally appropriate relationship decisions. Population #1: • The Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker will offer specific topic workshops, one on one discussions, and referrals to community resources such as the WCDPHE. Chafee collaborates with community resources through the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) and Aims Community College for specific supports such as working with former foster youth and their experiences with age - appropriate healthy relationships. Another workshop that youth have an opportunity to attend is with A Woman's Place to learn about appropriate relationships and things to be cautious/aware of. Chafee also collaborates with the PSI program for workshops specific to these topics. Population #2 & #3: • The Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker will offer specific topic workshops, one on one discussions, and referrals to community resources such as the WCDPHE. Chafee collaborates with community resources through UNC and Aims Community College for specific supports such as working with former foster youth and their experiences with age -appropriate healthy relationships. Another workshop that youth have an opportunity to attend is with A Woman's Place to learn about appropriate relationships and things to be cautious/aware of regarding relationships. Page 7 of 29 COLORADO Office of Children. Youth b Families E. Describe the services the program will provide to help young people make healthy lifestyle decisions (including but not limited to substance use, exercise, tobacco use prevention, etc.) Population #1: • The Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker will offer specific topic workshops, one on one discussions, and referrals to community resources such as North Range Behavioral Health (NRBH), WCDPHE, and Turn Around Bikes. Chafee will also refer to specialized community support groups and resources such as Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Nurse Family Partnership Program, and parenting groups. Chafee will refer to Medicaid services or Core Services depending on the need or decisions being made for extra support. Chafee will also utilize the PSI program for support as needed. Population #2 &#3: • The Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker will offer specific topic workshops, one on one discussions, and referrals to community resources such as NRBH, WCDPHE and Turn Around Bikes. Chafee will also refer to specialized community support groups and resources such as NA, AA, Nurse Family Partnership Program, and parenting groups. Chafee will refer to Medicaid services or Core Services depending on the need or decisions being made for extra support. F. Describe how your program will collaborate with family, kin, mentors, other supportive adults, community health and mental health centers, and community partners to support the wellbeing of young people in the program. • The Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker will be involved in monthly staffing's with Caseworkers and other MDT members, TDM's, FEM's, Permanency Round Tables, Youth Voice Permanency Round Tables, Administrative Review Division (ARD), community meetings, school meetings and one-on-one meetings with youth and families (foster and kin). The Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker continues to build collaborative relationships with support systems in and/or outside the home. The Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker also connects with foster parents through engagement in foster care parent trainings such as National Training & Development Curriculum (NTDC). The Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker continue to go through trainings themselves to collaborate with family on how to support the wellbeing of youth in the program. G Describe how the program will collaboratively serve young people with physical and developmental disabilities. How do you adjust service delivery and make accommodations to meet the needs of all youth served. Population #1, #2 & #3: • Chafee has collaborative relationships with community agencies that specialize in working with individuals with disabilities. The Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker will work with these agencies to meet the special needs of our youth. Two specific programs that Chafee works with are the School to Page 8 of 29 Work Alliance Program (SWAP) and the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR). The WCDHS has a Disability Specialist who is able to collaborate with Chafee staff on individualized projects to meet needed accommodations. H Describe how the program will support the young people you serve when it comes to their culture, linguistic needs, racial and ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientations, and gender identities. • The Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker will meet the linguistic issues of participants by providing interpreters as needed. All staff have access to Voiance as well as multilingual employees are available, as needed. Weld County Chafee also has one Chafee Worker/ Life Skills Navigator, who is fluent in Spanish. The Chafee Assessment provides individual information regarding racial and cultural identifiers and practices. Specific needs will, and are, being incorporated into group and one-on-one interaction with workers. The Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker attend and participate in many multi- cultural and sexual orientations/gender identities trainings throughout the year. The Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker utilize several community resources for further education and support. ESWC also has a strong relationship with a community -based organization, the Immigrant Refugee Center of Northern Colorado. This connection is valuable in helping young adults with their culture and ethnic backgrounds. Safe and stable housing a. Describe how the program will strategically partner with relevant agencies, including the local county child welfare agency, to access the full continuum of financial housing resources for youth including Supervised Independent Living Placements (SILP), Chafee, the Foster Youth in Transition Program, Foster Youth to Independence (FYI), and Family Unification Program (FUP) vouchers. • The team looks at youth/young adults to explore Job Corps as an option for supportive independence. The Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker also works closely with Caseworkers by meeting one-on- one with the youth, monitoring adherence to the Independent Living Assistance (ILA) contract, and other supportive parties to ensure success. • The Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker will complete the Family Unification Program (FUP) pre - application with youth when they are 90 days prior to their 18th birthday. If a youth is pulled for a FUP voucher, Chafee staff will attend all FUP related meetings with the youth, educate youth on housing research, attend apartment walk-through's, educate on lease signing and provide any other supports that are needed. Chafee staff will meet with youth one-on-one to discuss compliance with the program. • Weld County Chafee has made considerable relationships with landlords in creating quick and stable housing opportunities through delivering deposits and other supports early in the setup stages of establishing housing for our youth. • Weld County Chafee is always looking for additional housing resources in the community. Page 9 of 29 b. COLORADO Office of Children, Youth & Families Describe the status of the county and Chafee partners with local runaway and homeless youth (RHY) providers, and/or continuums of care (CoC). Include efforts underway, through those partnerships, to prevent youth from discharging from foster care to a homeless shelter facility or Chafee eligible who are being served through the homeless system. • The Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker and Weld County Government collaborate with the Northern Colorado Continuum of Care as well as community agencies to see how we can best bolster our youth to become successful independent young adults, as well as see what resources are available in our community. • The Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker collaborate with United Way of Weld County (UWWC) through the Collective Impact Youth Group now known as Thrive by 25. This group is comprised of youth serving agencies in the Weld County Community and is currently working on youth/young adults ages 9- 25 having a trusted adult they can turn to when support is needed. This group reports to the Northern Colorado planning region of the Colorado Balance of State on their efforts. Weld County Chafee also collaborates with The Rural Collaborative, an agency that works and receives funding to help address and prevent youth homelessness as well as the State Office of Homeless Youth Services (OHYS) to address and meet the needs of youth discharging from foster care. • Weld County Chafee also collaborates with NRBH with the FUP vouchers. Chafee continues to work with youth in workshops and in one-on-one settings to discuss important life skills they will need to be self- sufficient such as having enough savings for startup costs, utilizing their permanent connections, and utilizing community resources. • Weld County does not emancipate youth unless they have a strong and successful plan. They remain in care until they are fully ready with a plan to prevent homelessness. The youth will show that they are able to follow their plan successfully. The MDT works with the youth diligently to have a plan and back up plans in place before Weld County will emancipate youth. • The Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker collaborates with partnering agencies to communicate needs of our youth in the community. Additionally, the Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker establish rapport with youth at age 14 so they can reach out to the CFCIP program at any time of need. The Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker continue to build community relationships to maintain communication. If at any time a youth is on the run from foster care, the Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker will continue to reach out to the youth via e-mail, phone calls and/or text to try to re-engage the youth. A relationship with the RHY provider in Weld County continues and communication for collaboration and referrals has increased in the last program year and will continue. c. Describe the housing supports including financial assistance (fees, deposits, rental assistance, and emergency funds), referral services, and assistance locating housing the program will provide to help youth secure safe and stable housing. Describe resources available through Emergency Service Grants (ESG), rapid re -housing, and other HUD resources (resources available through non -profits). Page 10 of 29 • For Populations 1 and 2 these funds are used for items such as new worker uniforms, employment license fees, temporary assistance with emergency medical co -pay fees, and tuition for training or a class for employment. Chafee strives to collaborate with other agencies and programs such as the WIOA program through ESWC, UWWC and other agencies and programs to also help meet these financial needs. Weld County Chafee will work with the FUP to ensure all eligible youth have completed applications for a FUP voucher. Staff will also refer individuals to the Special Economic Assistance (SEA) funds to help with housing before accessing Chafee funds for housing assistance. Youth will also be referred to Dream Makers and the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) for other emergency funds. • Weld County Chafee will offer temporary housing, rental deposit, and food by utilizing no more than 30% of the allocations received. Payment will be made directly to the vendor through a voucher. This expenditure will be approved by the Youth Life Skills Navigator and the Youth Employment and Training Supervisor. Through the grant, Weld County Chafee will offer temporary Emergency Economic Assistance when all other resources have been exhausted or are unavailable. The goal of these funds is to continue to encourage the youth to be self-sufficient, provide a temporary safety net for unexpected needs and help youth avoid homelessness. • For Population 3, Weld County Chafee intends to support youth with fees, deposits, assisting with finding housing prospects, incentives to landlords such as double deposits to help secure housing. Other supports Weld County Chafee intends to utilize are paid Work Experiences to support employment opportunities as well as utilize workforce programs for employment and training opportunities when appropriate. Weld County Chafee will continue to work with our internal Weld County DHS resource, Housing Stability Team, to continue to maximize all expertise in housing and resources through various partners. We will also continue to utilize the CSBG Block Grant when no other internal Employment Services of Weld County (ESWC) resources are able to be accessed. d Briefly describe barriers to securing safe and stable housing in the communities you serve and efforts your county is engaged in to address those barriers. • Barriers include affordable housing, lack of credit or a co-signer, and landlords or property management companies unwilling to work with the voucher. The Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker address the barrier of affordable housing by continuing to outreach to the Housing Authority, collaborating closely with the FUP vouchers through UWWC and NRBH, and communicating with community landlords to educate about the needs of Weld County youth. The Weld County Chafee staff work on educating youth on the importance of credit as well as safely building credit when they turn 18. Weld County Chafee staff will assist youth with communication with landlords to mediate issues as well as educate youth on using their permanent connections as references. By taking these steps the landlords are more willing to work with our program and our youth in the future. The Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker collaborates with other county staff to investigate alternative housing options, including diligent searches. • Weld County Chafee provides several specific workshops on community resources, permanent connections, and rental/housing workshops yearly to teach our youth the importance of community Page 11 of 29 connections. Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker ask the community members that are experts in these fields to teach these topics. For example, we have partnered with a local property management company who accepts FUP vouchers to teach a workshop about things landlords are looking for on a rental applications and proper landlord/tenant communications. This helps build trust among our local landlords on our program as well as utilizing the FUP voucher as they see the youth have supports. An additional workshop provided includes safety. e. Describe ways in which the program wilt collaborate with family, kin, mentors, supportive adults, housing authorities, or community partners to help young people secure safe and stable housing. • The Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker will work with each youth and the youth's supportive connections on an individual basis. Chafee will be involved with monthly staffing's, TDM's FEM's, Permanency Round Tables and Youth Voice Permanency Round Tables and one-on-one support as needed. The Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker will collaborate with case involved members of the team in coming up with creative and supportive plans for youth in their endeavor to secure safe and supportive housing. IV. Secondary educational attainment a Describe how the county and program will support or encourage young people as they work to complete their high school diploma or GED. Population #1: • The Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker will mediate and support eligible Chafee youth's relationships with secondary educators to encourage the successful completion of their High School Diploma or High School Equivalency (HSE) programming. The Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker joins the MDT on any school staffing's and/or Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meetings to support youth during the one-on-one meetings. They also connect youth to appropriate educational services offered in the community such as special education assessments, transitional education programming, and tutoring. These services are available through Aims Community College, UNC, the Jesus Rodarte Cultural Center, the Greeley -Evans Alternative Program (GAP), private programs, alternative schools, the WIOA program, Job Corps, and DVR. Additionally, the Weld County Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Workers are WIOA Youth Case Managers and can assist with co -enrollment into the WIOA programs for both HSE/GED and post -secondary education planning and tuition assistance. Population #2 & #3: • The Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker will mediate and support eligible Chafee youth's relationships with secondary educators to encourage the successful completion of their High School Diploma or High School Equivalency (HSE) programming. The Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker joins the MDT on any school staffing's and/or Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meetings to support youth during the one-on-one meetings. They also connect youth to appropriate educational services offered in the community such as special education assessments, transitional education programming, and tutoring. These services are available through Aims Community College, UNC, the Jesus Rodarte Page 12 of 29 COLORADO Office of Children, COI's Youth b Families - f ; • Cultural Center, the Greeley -Evans Alternative Program (GAP), private programs, alternative schools, the WIOA program, Job Corps, and DVR. Additionally, the Weld County Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker is a WIOA Youth Case Manager and can assist with co -enrollment into the WIOA programs for both HSE/GED and post -secondary education planning and tuition assistance. b Describe ways in which the program will collaborate with family, kin, mentors, supportive adults, and education and community partners to support the achievement of high school diplomas or GEDs by youth in your program. • The Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker will mediate and support eligible Chafee youth's relationships with secondary educators to encourage the successful completion of their High School Diploma or High School Equivalency (HSE) programming. The Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker joins the MDT on any school staffing's and/or Individualized Education Plan (1EP) meetings to support youth during the one-on-one meetings. They also connect youth to appropriate educational services offered in the community such as special education assessments, transitional education programming, and tutoring. These services are available through Aims Community College, UNC, the Jesus Rodarte Cultural Center, the Greeley -Evans Alternative Program (GAP), private programs, alternative schools, the WIOA program, Job Corps, and DVR. Additionally, the Weld County Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker is a WIOA Youth Case Manager and can assist with co -enrollment into the WIOA programs for both HSE/GED and post -secondary education planning and tuition assistance. • The Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker complete applications for all eligible youth to participate in the Annual Celebration of Educational Excellence. The Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker talk to youth in workshops and one-on-one settings to encourage and celebrate the youth's educational successes and dedication. Weld County also recognizes all individuals who have achieved success with a High School Diploma or High School Equivalency and are involved with the Weld County Division of Child Welfare through a separate graduation ceremony. Youth are encouraged to invite their family, friends, and any permanent supportive connections to participate in the celebration. V. Post -secondary training and educational attainment a Describe how the program wilt support and encourage young people as they work to complete their postsecondary educational goals. • The Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker use the rapport built with youth to successfully promote post- secondary education. The Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker educate youth on the benefits of post -secondary education, help youth research employment opportunities, and help youth research requirements for employment goals. The Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker assist the youth in visiting post -secondary training and education alternatives, facilitating meetings with faculty, counselors, and other youth on the opportunities that post -secondary education provides. The Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker assist youth with completing enrollment applications/forms, ETV application, FASFA, and other scholarships they qualify for, The Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker assist youth by teaching them to manage their stipends, follow their budgets, and maintain their schedule so that they can keep up with their education planning. Weld County is the only County that Page 13 of 29 Office of Children. Youth b Families I t inmort of Cftsld Welfare provides monetary support to all eligible Weld County High School or Equivalency Graduates through the Bright Futures Program. Additionally, the Weld County Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Workers are WIOA Youth Case Managers and can assist with co -enrollment into the WIOA programs for post- secondary education planning and tuition assistance. • The Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker will work with youth on their career goals, look at the pathways to these careers and even take them on a tour of the campus or school where the training would take place. b Describe how the program will collaborate with family, kin, mentors, supportive adults, institutions of higher education, and community partners to support the achievement of postsecondary certifications or degrees by youth in your program. • The Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker are very involved in disseminating information throughout the Department regarding the importance of Educational Training Vouchers (ETV) as well as information related to financial aid for youth who are preparing for post -secondary educational opportunities. • The Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker will collaboratively work with youth and the supports that they have identified to problem solve any issues, communicate processes and opportunities, educate regarding financial assistance, encourage motivation, identify resources available such as, but not limited to, tutors and study groups, and assist youth with organizational skills. The Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker assist youth on time management skills to balance work, school, and family. • The Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker assist youth with crisis intervention and transportation issues that arise. The Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker will continue to meet with the support team to further identify needs and work with youth one-on-one as needed to increase skills for success. VI. Adequate employment a. Describe how the program will help young people gain the experience and skills needed to become or remain employed. Population #1, #2 and #3: • The Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker meet with youth on a one-on-one basis. The Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker discuss and educate youth on different knowledge about employment based off the answers from their Chafee Assessment. During these one-on-one meetings the Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker are also able to talk to the youth about how they can build work experience prior to having a job, such as volunteering, as well as working with the youth to create a resume. • The Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker provides multiple workshops throughout the year on different employment topics. Some of these workshops include but are not limited to, What Not to Wear, Mock Interviewing, and Soft Skills. Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker connect youth with Page 14 of 29 Office of Children, Youth b Families County contacts with the Workforce Center, Pillars of Successful Independence (PSI), WIOA program, SWAP, and DVR. • The Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Workers are WIOA Youth Case Managers and can assist with co - enrollment into the WIOA programs to assist with paid Work -Based Learning opportunities when appropriate. • Additionally, Weld County Chafee has setup a paid Work -Based Learning opportunities through our WIOA model and will utilize additional Chafee funding for participants that need a work experience. This is a 500+ hour work experience paid at minimum wage. Weld County's infrastructure is able to be the employer of record and cover worker's compensation and payroll. b Describe how the program will collaborate with family, kin, mentors, supportive adults, local workforce centers (WIOA), and community -based workforce programs to help youth prepare for and attain adequate employment. • The uniqueness of the Weld County Chafee program is that it is housed within Employment Services of Weld County (ESWC). This provides the Chafee program to work alongside the WIOA program as well as a variety of additional youth programs offered through ESWC. This provides a one -stop location for Chafee youth/young adults to receive all services in one location and with the same staff. • The Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker are involved with monthly staffing's, TDM's, FEM's, Permanency Round Tables and Youth Voice Permanency Round Tables. During these meetings the team works with the youth to identify their goals related to employment. Chafee utilizes the supports of identified permanent connections to continue to encourage youth into finding and maintaining employment. • Weld County Chafee works with youth on a one-on-one basis to help bolster youth with the skills they feel that are not as strong as they would like. These might include working with the youth to build soft skills, interview skills through mock interviews, and helping the youth to build a resume and complete job applications among other work -related skills. • Weld County Chafee continues to work collaboratively in the community. Weld County Chafee hosts workshops every month on different independent living skills, several that include different aspects of employment. The Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker have experts in the community come and teach those workshops. Through some of those workshops Chafee has been able to have some employers in the community consider Chafee youth for employment first before others. • Weld County Chafee works collaboratively with WIOA and ESWC. Weld County Chafee will utilize the program to come in and teach different workshop topics related to employment. The Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker will refer/enroll youth in specific programs as appropriate. Page 15 of 29 COLORADO Office of Children Youth Er Families '&J11404/(11 Cif C' ..M ` it • Weld County Chafee youth participate yearly in the Annual Young Adult Job Fair hosted by ESWC and the City of Greeley. As part of this Job Fair, the Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker ensure that their youth are signed up with Connecting Colorado, a state database for workforce centers where youth can upload their resume as well as job search. Weld County Chafee also refers all eligible youth to apply to the WW4Y program. This is a summer program that ESWC offers youth, ages 14 and 15 years old, for summer employment throughout Weld County. Chafee also works collaboratively with the PSI program. This program offers a summer work program for Chafee youth between the ages of 13 1/2 through 16 years old within Weld County. VII. Financial stability a Describe how the program will work with youth to develop a functional knowledge of budgeting, money management, and basic financial literacy. • Weld County Chafee provides eligible youth with an individualized, comprehensive assessment that identifies strengths and deficits relative to financial management. All youth involved in Chafee must develop and maintain a self-sufficiency budget. That budget is reviewed monthly with the Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker and the assigned WCDHS Caseworker. The Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker will provide monthly support by means of one-on-one appointments that provide information regarding these skills. The Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker will work with youth on an individual basis depending on level of skills and will refer to the WCDHS Disability Specialist when the youth require customized services to meet the youth's individual needs. Youth will be given individualized assignments to complete based on their identified needs in the IL Plan. • Weld County Chafee also offers workshops in a group setting to discuss different aspects of financial literacy. Weld County Chafee partners with community banks and credit unions to teach how to create a budget, when to re-evaluate a budget, as well as learn about what a credit score is, what can affect a credit score, why a person should check their score regularly and where to go amongst many other financial topics. • Weld County Chafee refers eligible youth to PSI where they also receive continued support and skill building in financial literacy. b. Describe how the county or program will provide youth in out -of -home care with practical money management experience prior to emancipation or discharge, including providing opportunities to open savings and/or checking accounts. Population #1: • The WCDHS will complete the self-sufficiency budget with youth and have identified saving goals in the IL Plans. The workers collaborate with all involved parties to work on their identified financial goals. If the youth obtain employment, the Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker will talk with the youth, Caseworker, Guardian ad Litem (GAL), foster parents, and permanent connections about the steps to opening an account. As youth are minors, they cannot have an account without an adult. The team will Page 16 of 29 Office of Children Youth Er Families identify the best person fit to create the account with the youth. Weld County Chafee will provide information about banks and credit unions and allow the youth to pick which type of financial institution they would like to bank with as well as which company (i.e., Chase versus Wells Fargo). Weld County Chafee will provide information on how much money the youth will need to open both a checking and a savings account. Upon the youth and the youth's team request, Weld County Chafee can attend the meeting to open the account. • Chafee also works with youth on a one-on-one basis. During these one -on -ones, the Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker will assign individual assignments to help the youth practice money management. Some of those assignments include, but are not limited to, check writing worksheets, check balancing worksheets, and mock bill pay based off either their projected bills or possible bills due while working and earning minimum wage. Population #2 &3: • The WCDHS will complete the self-sufficiency budget with youth and have identified saving goals on the IL Plans. The workers collaborate with all involved parties to work on their identified financial goals. If the youth obtain employment, the Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker will talk with the youth, Caseworker, Guardian ad Litem (GAL), foster parents, and permanent connections about the steps to opening an account. If youth is still 17 and doesn't have a checking or savings account, they cannot have an account without an adult. The team will identify the best person fit to create the account with the youth. Chafee will provide information about banks and credit unions and allow the youth to pick which type of financial institution they would like to bank with as well as which company (i.e., Chase versus Wells Fargo). Chafee will provide information on how much money the youth will need to open both a checking and a savings account. Upon the youth and the youth's team request, Chafee can attend the meeting to open the account. if youth is 18 or older, the Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker provide the same information to the youth and allow them to decide which financial institution they will utilize. Chafee informs the youth that they can attend the initial meeting to set up the account if youth desire — the Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker will only attend these meetings upon request from the youth. • Weld County Chafee also works with youth on a one-on-one basis. During these one -on -ones the Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker will assign individual assignments to help the youth practice money management. Some of those assignments include, but are not limited to, check writing worksheets, check balancing worksheets, and mock bill pay based off either their projected bills or possible bills due while working and earning minimum wage. c. Describe how your program will collaborate with family, kin, mentors, supportive adults, financial literacy programs, and community partners to support the financial education and decision -making needs of young people in the program. • The Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker will talk with youth, Caseworkers, Guardian ad Litem (GAL), foster parents, and permanent connections about the youth's financial goals. Page 17 of 29 COLORADO Office of Children. Youth Fr Families Ci C. Ida V%,9.1N . • Weld County Chafee partners work with local Credit Unions/Banks to help educate our youth on their financial literacy skills. This is a key element to the youth being able to have the support from the community as well as family and professional supports in creating a strong foundation in financial success. • Weld County Chafee collaborates with the family and professional supports so that these connections can be continual access points for assistance on financial decision making and education outside of Chafee and their financial institution. VIII. Successful transition to adulthood from foster care. a. Describe ways in which the program promotes and supports normalized experiences among current and former foster youth through age or developmentally appropriate activities. • Weld County promotes and supports normalized experiences among young people by providing monthly workshops covering areas of life skills that will be a benefit to them as they move into adulthood and transition. The program does this through workshops offered twice a month. The workshops are offered both on site at the agency and out in the community to give youth options for broader opportunities in their community. Weld County Chafee also partners with PSI. The PSI sponsored workshops allow Chafee youth to interact with other youth outside of Chafee. Chafee youth are encouraged to attend events in the community such as hiring events, job fairs, leadership seminars, healing seminars and other learning environments. • Establishing a mentorship element of Chafee to include the recruitment of current/former foster youth at the University of Northern Colorado and Aims Community College, through the SOAR Independent Youth Programs. This could include a paid internship for UNC or Aims students who become mentors for Chafee youth. The aim is to help current Chafee youth become aware of the supports at colleges and universities but to also establish lifelong healthy relationships. • Career exploration and campus visits. Create monthly fieldtrips to post -secondary institutions for greater exposure to potential careers. This would include but not limited to, universities, community colleges, trade schools, apprenticeships, and more. • Establish a monthly cooking course in addition to monthly workshops. It has been highly requested by our Chafee youth to hold more cooking workshops. With so much to cover, we have decided to add to our normal workshops/fieldtrips, a monthly cooking course for Chafee youth. • Cultural exposure to the arts and museums. Weld County believes that exposure to the arts and museums is an important aspect of the human experience and one that can also lead to career exploration for many youths and another path to forming connections with their peers in a safe and supervised environment. Weld County is positioned with a fleet of vans for transportation to not only for visits to colleges and trade schools but also to museums and arts. Weld County Chafee is implementing this experience into its curriculum. Page 18 of 29 Office of Children. Youth Er Families • During the Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker one -on -ones with youth, the Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker can build rapport with the youth. This time allows youth to express to workers things that they would like to participate in (e.g., prom, riding bikes, additional activities). The Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker, with the team in agreeance, will partner with agencies to make these things possible. For example, Chafee has utilized Dream Makers to provide a prom dress for one of our youth as well as household supplies for a youth that was moving out on their own for the first time. b. Briefly describe any group classes or activities (focused on self-sufficiency) not already mentioned including the name of the group, purpose of the group, intended audience, expected frequency and length of time, and name of the curriculum used for the group, if applicable. Population #1: • Workshops for Chafee youth are held on the Last Tuesday of the month and last for approximately 90 minutes. Population 1 youth are also eligible to work with the PSI program where they receive two additional workshops a month lasting approximately 120 minutes. The curriculums are specific to the age range of 13 %z through 16 years old and begin as an orientation program that will feed into the program for the older age group of 16 through 21 -year -olds. Both Chafee and PSI programming will cover topics of housing, employment, taxes, cooking, shopping, banking, credit information, personal skills, and other important independent living skills. Weld County Chafee has also utilized the partnership of our local library district High Plains Library to partner on workshops guest speakers and topics. Population #2 &3: • Workshops for Chafee youth are held on the last Tuesday of the month and last for approximately 90 minutes. Both Chafee and PSI programming will cover topics of housing, employment, taxes, cooking, shopping, banking, credit information, personal skills, and other important independent living skills. Weld County Chafee has also utilized the partnership of our local library district High Plains Library District to partner on workshops guest speakers and topics. c. Describe any services not addressed previously in this section that the program will provide to help young people develop life skills and self-sufficiency competencies. If through a collaborative partner then identify the provider. • The Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker also provide additional one-on-one services to youth depending on the youths need and time availability of the workers. One-on-one services can include resume building, assisting with job applications, attending apartment walk-throughs, discussing employment skills and other skills on a more in-depth basis. • The Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker also provide tools that youth can utilize outside of workshops and one-on-one opportunities to continue to gain knowledge/skills for independence. Some Page 19 of 29 Office of Children. Youth & Families of these include but are not limited to bill pay exercises, check writing, and account balancing worksheets, and additional homework on a case -by -case basis that relates to the youth, such as comparing banks to credit unions or researching all potential costs of moving out on their own. • Weld County Chafee partners with the following organizations: Dream Makers, Turn Around Bikes, Canvas Credit Union, Weld County Garage, Weld Food Bank, Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment, United Way of Weld County, certified public accountants from the community, Employment Services of Weld County, Aims Community College, the University of Northern Colorado, Banner Health, UCHealth The Verge Apartments, Free Our Girls, the Human Society of Weld County, the Educational Opportunity Center, Northern Colorado Health Alliance, Weld County Drug Task Force, 365 Real Property Management, TRI Property Management and project Foster Power (pFP). • The Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker help youth complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as well as any scholarships that they qualify for. The Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker collaborate with the youth's local Educational Opportunity Center (EOC). Both Chafee and the EOC will help youth apply for schools and scholarships. • Chafee will work with the youth on a one-on-one basis to plan out potential costs youth will occur while in school. Chafee helps youth create a realistic budget while engaged in post -secondary education. Chafee will talk with youth about different scenarios that they may face as well as what new decisions they may be having to make for themselves. Chafee will have youth identify permanent and community connections that they can count on, besides Chafee, if youth have any questions or youth realizes they need extra support. X. Training and Program Support A. If the applicant is the county department of human/social services: Describe the training needs of staff in your program. • Weld County Chafee staff are expected to attend all relevant trainings possible through various entities to enhance skills and knowledge of how to best assist the participants that are served. Continued training on assisting youth who are transitioning to independence and supporting youth with housing and rent are important services Weld County Chafee strives at providing. The Weld County Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker continues to gain training in various Workforce programs to assist Chafee youth with a direction towards independence. An example is an increase in knowledge of Registered Apprenticeships and On -the -Job Training opportunities. B. If the applicant is not the department of human/social services: Describe your experience working with current or former foster care youth. How will you collaborate with the local department of human/social services and/or Child Welfare Training site to ensure staff are trained to engage meaningfully with eligible youth? • N/A Page 20 of 29 Office of Children. Youth b Fdrniticn C Only for applicants seeking Chafee funding: Describe ways in which your county will help staff develop skills to more effectively work with youth and young adults, and gaps in training opportunities offered through the Child Welfare Training System and in the community. • Weld County Chafee staff are expected to attend all relevant trainings possible through various entities to enhance skills and knowledge of how to best assist the participants that are served. The Chafee team will facilitate a training to Caseworkers to engage with their youth, ages 14-21, to develop an IL Plan and an Emancipation Transition Plan (ETP), self-sufficiency budget and how to complete the Ansell-Casey assessment. This training will be conducted a few times a year to further emphasis the importance of staying up on the planning with young people for their success. Weld County Chafee staff also and will continue all trainings recommended through CDI-IS Chafee and continue to attend all Chafee Quarterly meetings. D Only for applicants seeking 1094 funding: How will your program identify and support victims of human trafficking? Identify relevant services as well as community supports. • Weld County Chafee staff will screen aftercare youth at risk of sex trafficking using a State approved sex trafficking screening tool. The tool is designed to identify who may be at risk for sex trafficking based on knowledge that the county and/or collateral contacts may have about the aftercare youth. This tool does not require an interview with the youth. The screen will be staffed with a supervisor/manager to determine level of need and if it meets mandated reporter requirements. Chafee staff will also utilize this tool if they receive a direct report from a youth or collateral contact. • The Chafee Worker/Life Skills Navigator will report suspicions to local law enforcement. • Weld County Chafee will provide information regarding concerns of safety to the youth. Chafee will report any concerning comments that the youth has reported to said workers. • The Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker will create a record of the contact in the Trails system. • The Chafee Worker/Life Skills Navigator will notify all aftercare youth of the mandated requirements prior to the assessment process. The Chafee Worker/Life Skills Navigator will advise all youth that strong information is required to make a report to local law enforcement. The Chafee worker will determine individualized services needed for each aftercare youth and ensure that the aftercare youth is involved in. Xl. Program Reporting A. Chafee Applicants: Describe in bulleted detail how your county will engage foster parents and county caseworkers to ensure full documentation of all independent living skill activities in Trails. Page 21 of 29 COLORADO Office of Children, Youth & Families i I Divt;:K iti+q uit. Vv• •it i i w • Weld County staff will be trained on how to create an IL plan. County staff and foster parents will understand the usefulness of completing the Ansell-Casey assessment with all youth required. Information is documented in the youth's case file, during court reviews, foster care reviews, and in the Trails system. B Non -county applicants seeking funding through the State Grant Program: Describe in bulleted detail how your program will engage foster parents and county caseworkers to ensure full documentation of alt independent living skill activities, the system you wilt use to maintain documentation, and how your program plans to reports detailed statistics to CDHS/DCW. • N/A C Describe ways in which your program will support efforts to contact youth participating in National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD) surveys. • The Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker will provide education to Caseworkers, foster parents and youth to ensure awareness of the National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD) requirements and benefits of participation after emancipation. While the youth is still in the care of the department, Caseworkers and the Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker will contact individuals to have them complete the information either on their own or with the assistance of a supportive individual. If the youth is no longer in the custody of the department, the Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker will attempt to contact eligible youth from their last known contact information (phone, e-mail and mailing address). XII. Evidence Based Programing A. Is the program that will be implementing services for young people identified in the plan considered an evidence based or evidence supported program? Yes No X B. If you answered yes, what aspect of your program is considered evidence based/supported? • N/A C. How will your program ensure the program is implemented to fidelity? • Through fiscal oversight, and internal review, Weld Chafee will continue to ensure all policies and procedures by way of CDHS and Colorado State Chafee are adhered to in its entirety. Weld County Chafee will demonstrate full implementation of the plan by continuing to support the CPR Pathways Study as a comparison site. Page 22 of 29 Office of Children, Youth & Families D. Is your program a part of an evaluation to support or improve the Levet of evidence for the programming you will be implementing? • Yes. a. If you answered yes to D, what type of evaluation is being conducted (ie Pre/ Post, Quasi - Experimental, Random Control Trial)? • Weld County Chafee is a Pathways Comparison Site. b. What agency is responsible for overseeing the evaluation and have they obtained approval from an Institutional Review Board? • Center for Policy Research (CPR) is overseeing the evaluation between Pathways and the Comparison Sites. Page 23 of 29 COLORADO Office of Children. Youth & Families Csv c.t, :it of Chad Vietfs'.: APPENDIX A: CHAFEE PROGRAM SERVICES PLAN SPECIFIC INFORMATION (Chafee Applicants) Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2024 Regional Chafee Collaborative Counties or Jurisdictions: • This section should be utilized to identify other counties or jurisdictions which your program will be serving in FFY24. • Identify the counties that your program has an official collaboration with (signed MOU - see page 11 for the template). • It should also be used to designate those counties or jurisdictions that aren't being served by an existing Chafee program where your program is willing to serve. • For those counties and jurisdictions that you include in this section they will be added to your county for the purposes of the calculation of your annual award. • If two or more programs identify the same county that they are wilting to serve the calculation will be split between those counties for the award. Collaborative Counties or Jurisdictions (please indicate if you have an MOU with each county listed): 2. 3. 4. 5. MOU: Yes: No: MOU: Yes: No: MOU: Yes: No: MOU: Yes: No: MOU: Yes: No: Does your county program have a formalized agreement (MOU, Interagency agreement, etc.) with the local Runaway and Homeless Youth (RHY) Provider? • No: Name of RHY Provider: Marc Fortney, Master of Social Work, He/Him Program Manager: Community Resources Federal Programs, CBOCES (Centennial Board Of Cooperative Educational Services) Regional Consultant for the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act Runaway & Homeless Youth Act Northeast quadrant of Colorado Page 24 of 29 Additional Notes: Contracted Agency Name (if applicable) Name of Agency Contracted to Provide Chafee Services on behalf of the County: Agency Name: N / A CHAFEE PROGRAM ASSURANCES CHAFEE PROGRAM SERVICES PLAN STATEMENT OF ASSURANCES The following County(ies): Weld County assure that, upon approval of the Chafee Program Services Plan and notice of funding, the following will be adhered to in the implementation of the Chafee Program Services Plan: Chafee Program - Federal and State Required Statement of Assurances: 1. Funds shall be used exclusively for the purposes specified in the plan (12 CCR 2509-4 (7.305.41); 2. Funds shall not be used to supplant, duplicate, or replace existing child welfare funds and; 3. Funds shall not be used for county budget shortfalls; 4. Assistance and services shall be provided only to Chafee-eligible youth [Social Security Act (SSA), Title IV -E, Section 477(b)(3)(A)] on a voluntary basis; 5. Not more than 30 percent of the amounts allocated for Chafee for a fiscal year (performance period) will be expended for room and board for youth who have left foster care because they have attained 18 years of age and have not attained 21 years of age [SSA Section 477(b)(3)(B)]; 6. None of the amounts paid to the County Department from its Chafee award will be expended for room and board for any child who has not attained 18 years old [SSA Section 477(b)(3)(C)]; 7. The County Department will make every effort to coordinate the Chafee program receiving funds with other Federal and State programs for youth (especially transitional living youth projects funded under part B of Title III of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974), abstinence education programs, local housing programs, programs for disabled youth (especially sheltered workshops), and school -to -work programs offered by high schools or local workforce agencies [SSA Section 477(b)(3)(F)]; 8. Youth participating in the program under this section will participate directly in designing their own program activities that prepare them for independent living and the youth will be required to accept personal responsibility for living up to their part of the program [SSA Section 477(b)(3)(H)]; 9. The County Department will enter data on services into the State automated reporting system (Colorado Trails); 10. The County Department wilt assure that National Youth in Transitions Database (NYTD) program evaluation and youth survey requirements are met; and Page 25 of 29 COLORADO Office of Children. Youth & Families at: -.,; .1::„ (.',,i I '.'/,- 11. Ensure all youth 18 to 21 have documents that demonstrate legal presence in the United States before Chafee services are provided [SSA Section 472(a)(3), Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) Section 245A(h), and INA Section 210(f)]. 12. Chafee services and funding are utilized only for those youth who qualify according to the eligibility standards contained in 12 CCR 2509-4 (7.305.42). The County's Chafee Program Services Plan is required to be approved annually. Given that services are not standardized across counties, it is important to provide detailed bullets of information about a County's projected services. According to Volume 7, the Chafee Program is a federally funded statewide independent living program that is county administered. The purpose of the Chafee Program is to provide flexible funding to enable programs to be designed and conducted for the following purposes [SSA Section 477(a)] : 1. Support all youth who have experienced out -of -home placement at age 14 or older in their transition to adulthood through transitional services such as assistance in obtaining a high school diploma and post- secondary education, career exploration, vocational training, job placement and retention, training and opportunities to practice daily living skills, substance abuse prevention, and preventative health activities; 2. Help children who have experienced foster care at age 14 or older achieve meaningful, permanent connections with a caring adult; 3. Help children who have experienced foster care at age 14 or older engage in age or developmentally appropriate activities, positive youth development, and experiential learning that reflects what their peers in intact families experience; 4. Provide financial, housing, counseling, employment, education, and other appropriate support and services to former foster care recipients between 18-23 years of age to complement their own efforts to achieve self-sufficiency and to assure that program participants recognize and accept their personal responsibility for preparing for and then making the transition from adolescence to adulthood; 5. Make available vouchers for education and training, including postsecondary training and education, to youths who have aged out of foster care; 6. Provide the services to children who, after attaining 16 years of age, have left foster care for kinship guardianship or adoption, and 7. Ensure children who are likely to remain in foster care until 18 years of age have regular, ongoing opportunities to engage in age or developmentally -appropriate activities. 8. These services shall supplement existing independent living resources and programs in county departments, residential child care facilities and child placement agencies, and by federal statute, shall not replace or duplicate existing services. Chafee Program funds shall not exceed 30% of a counties budget or be used for room and board for a youth under eighteen (18) years of age. IX. Sex Trafficking Reporting requirement ` section IX is only for applicants seeking Chafee funding A. Describe how your program will identify victims of sex trafficking according to the definition of Sexual Servitude of an Adult (C.R.S. 5 18-3-504). Page 26 of 29 Office of Children, Youth b Families • Weld County Chafee staff will screen aftercare youth at risk of sex trafficking using a State approved sex trafficking screening tool. The tool is designed to identify who may be at risk for sex trafficking based on knowledge that the county and/or collateral contacts may have about the aftercare youth. This tool does not require an interview with the youth. The screen will be staffed with a supervisor/manager to determine level of need and if it meets mandated reporter requirements. Chafee staff will also utilize this tool if they receive a direct report from a youth or collateral contact. B. Describe the county's reporting procedure including who from the county program will make the report to law enforcement and to which law enforcement agency this report will be made. If the county provides Chafee services through an independent contractor, include the procedure for how the contractor will notify the county and how the county will ensure a report is made to law enforcement. • The Chafee Worker/Life Skills Navigator will report suspicions to local law enforcement. C. Identify what information wilt be presented in the report to law enforcement. • Weld County Chafee will provide information regarding concerns of safety to the youth. Chafee will report any concerning comments that the youth has reported to said workers. D Detail how and what will be documented in Trails about the report law enforcement. • The Youth Life Skills Navigator/Chafee Worker will create a record of the contact in the Trails system. E Discuss how your program will mitigate the potential effect of reporting youth to law enforcement and the impact that may have on the professional relationship. • The Chafee Worker/Life Skills Navigator will notify all aftercare youth of the mandated requirements prior to the assessment process. The Chafee worker will advise all youth that strong information is required to make a report to local law enforcement. The Chafee Worker/Life Skills Navigator will determine individualized services needed for each aftercare youth and ensure that the aftercare youth is involved in. Page 27 of 29 COLORADO Office of Children, Youth & Families Div;.,, L (A Child :it.<<. • CHAFEE PROGRAM SERVICES PLAN FINANCIAL PRE -AWARD QUESTIONNAIRE Per 2 CFR Part 200, effective July 1, 2015, DCW is also required to conduct a financial risk assessment for all sub -recipients prior to awarding grant funds. Counties must complete and submit this financial pre -award questionnaire and submit it along with their county plan. Name of organization: Employment Services of Weld County Name and title of person completing this form: 1) Please complete the following table (adding lines as necessary) or attach your own document detailing your organization's current sources of funding for services for the Chafee-eligible population (including CDHS grants). Provide the funding agency, the program name, the types of funds (i.e., Federal, State, local, private, etc.), and the contract/award budget amount: Grantor Agency Type of Funds Program Contract/Award Budget Amount Contract/Awar d Period CFCIP SB23-082 SB23-082 $86,640 7/1/23-6/30/24 CFCIP CFCIP CFCIP $57,790 7/1/23-6/30/24 CFCIP HB21-1094 CFCIP $55,252 7/1/23-6/30/24 2) Describe your experience managing similar awards. You may use the table below as needed. Program Name Program Dates _. Program Description Granting Agency Amount CFCIP 2022-2023 CFCIP CFCIP $52,483 CFCIP 2022-2023 HB21-1094 CFCIP $25,828 CFCIP 2021-2022 CFCIP a CFCIP $50,698 CFCIP 2020-2021 , CFCIP CFCIP $73,795 CFCIP 2019-2020 I CFCIP CFCIP , $63,822 CFCIP A 2018-2019 . CFCIP . CFCIP , $77,997 Page 28 of 29 COLORADO Office of Children, Youth Et Families • L)Itills,4:il' Ci ili(1 3) For the accounting/fiscal FTE assigned to this project, provide their name, title, and how long they have worked for your organization in their current role. Identify the person that is in charge of maintaining your accounting and financial records for this project and provide a brief description of their accounting experience and qualifications. Identify any new accounting personnel assigned to this project within the previous 12 months, and whether any of your accounting systems have changed within the previous 12 months. Leonard Bottorff; Senior Fiscal Advisor 4) Does your organization receive an annual financial statement audit under: • The Single Audit Act/OMB Circular A-133 (Government Auditing Standards) YES OR • Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS) • Click here for more information on audit requirements for sub -recipients. If yes, please provide a copy (electronic preferred) or link to your most recent audit report and STOP HERE AND SIGN /DATE BELOW. IF NO, PLEASE ANSWER ALL THE REMAINING QUESTIONS AND SIGN/DATE BELOW. 5) Are your organization's financial records maintained in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)? 6) Are accounting records supported by original documentation specific to contracting with your vendors? 7) What controls are followed to ensure all of the following: a) The reasonableness of cost; b) The allowability of costs; c) The allocability of costs to a contract? 8) Do you have available accounting policies and procedures to review? If not, please describe your organization's overall fiscal controls and structure to sufficiently: a) Permit the preparation of financial statements. b) Allow the organization's staff, in the normal course of performing their assigned functions, to prevent or detect misstatements in financial reporting or the loss of assets in a timely manner. c) Compare the budget to actual expenditures. Please5ign and Date Below: Signattire Page 29 of 29 61(9)zozet Date Chafee Worker #1 Name: Jasmin Dominguez Key Tasks, Requirements, and Standards of Practice Hrs/Week Hrs/Month Hrs/Year % of Time 1 Case Management and Support Services Recommended full-time caseloads: • Single County Metro, Suburban and Second City Programs - 25 youth • Rural and Regional Collaborative Programs — 15-20 youth 34 147.322 1768 85% 2 Reports Program • Annual • Annual • Monthly reporting County Chafee County Chafee Wait -List requirements: Program Plan Program Report Report 1 4.333 52 3% 3 Technical Training and and community Assistance technical assistance with caregivers, new Chafee workers, caseworkers, CASAs, Guardians ad Litem, partners. 1 4.333 52 3% 4 Collaborative Chafee • Local • Local • State o o o o o program collaborative youth Chafee Celebration Colorado Colorado Chafee Chafee Services Development staff may engage in: service and resource advisory board development program projects, committees of Educational Excellence 9 to 25 Youth Summit Youth Leadership Network assessment review committee program guidance development Planning development and support and task groups, including: Planning Team Team team 1 4.333 52 3% 5 Program • National • County Evaluation Youth in Transition Database quality improvement efforts Youth Surveys (including young (NYTD) people and stakeholders) 1 4.333 52 3% 6 Continuing Education: • Required Chafee/Adolescent and to provide county • Required minimum Minimum 40 Services Quarterlies input on program decisions. of 40 hours of training per hours (four year. per year full -day meetings annually) to receive training, updates, 1 4.333 52 3% 7 Staff Support Time (e.g. annual leave, sick leave, holidays, etc.) 1 4.333 52 3% Chafee Worker #2 Name: Nora Myers Totals: 40 173.32 2080 100% Key Tasks, Requirements, and Standards of Practice Hrs/Week Hrs/Month Hrs/Year % of Time 1 Case Management and Support Services Recommended full-time caseloads: • Single County Metro, Suburban and Second City Programs - 25 youth • Rural and Regional Collaborative Programs — 15-20 youth 34 147.322 1768 85% 2 Reports Program • Annual • Annual • Monthly reporting requirements: County Chafee County Chafee Wait -List Report Program Plan Program Report 1 4.333 52 3% 3 Technical Assistance Training and technical and community assistance with caregivers, new Chafee workers, caseworkers, CASAs, Guardians ad Litem, partners. 1 4.333 52 3% 4 Collaborative Chafee • Local • Local • State o o o o o program collaborative youth Chafee Celebration Colorado Colorado Chafee Chafee advisory 9 Youth assessment orogram Services Development staff may engage in: service and resource board development program projects, committees of Educational Excellence to 25 Youth Summit Leadership Network review committee guidance development Planning development and support and task groups, including: Planning Team Team team 1 4.333 52 3% 5 Program • National • County Evaluation Youth quality in improvement Transition Database Youth Surveys (NYTD) efforts (including young people and stakeholders) 1 4.333 52 3% 6 Continuing • Required and to • Required Education: Chafee/Adolescent provide county minimum Minimum 40 Services Quarterlies input on program decisions. of 40 hours of training per hours (four year. per year full -day meetings annually) to receive training, updates, 1 4.333 52 3% 7 Staff Support Time (e.g. annual leave, sick leave, holidays, etc.) 1 4.333 52 3% Totals: 40 173.32 2080 100% Chafee Worker #3 Name: Key Tasks, Requirements, and Standards of Practice Hrs/Week Hrs/Month Hrs/Year % of Time 1 Case Management and Support Services #DIV/0! 2 Reports #DIV/0! 3 Technical Assistance #DIV/0! 4 Collaborative Services Development #DIV/0! 5 Program Evaluation #DIV/0! 6 Continuing Education: Minimum 40 hours per year #DIV/0! 7 Staff Support (e.g. annual leave, sick leave, holidays, etc.) #DIV/0! Time Chafee Worker #4 Totals: Name: 0 0 0 #DIV/0! Key Tasks, Requirements, and Standards of Practice Hrs/Week Hrs/Month Hrs/Year % of Time 1 T Case Management and Support Services #DIV/0! 2 Reports #DIV/0! 3 Technical Assistance #DIV/0! 4 Collaborative Services Development #DIV/0! 5 Program Evaluation #DIV/0! 6 Continuing Education: Minimum 40 hours per year #DIV/0! 7 Staff Support Time (e.g. annual leave, sick leave, holidays, etc.) #DIV/0! Totals: 0 0 0 #DIV/0! From: Greg Cordova To: Derek Blake - CDHS Cc: Karina Amava Ragland; CeCe Majchrowski; Jeff Smith; Jasmin Dominguez; Nora Myers; HS -Contract Management Subject: Employment Services of Weld County Chafee Combined State Grant Application Date: Thursday, June 20, 2024 9:49:56 AM Attachments: Chafee Program Funds 2024-1623 (FINAL).odf Hello Derek, Sorry Derek. Forgot our Contracts Team on the first one. Please see the attached Employment Services of Weld County Chafee Combined State Grant Application. Please let us know if you have any questions. Greg Cordova, M.S. Youth Employment & Training Supervisor Employment Services of Weld County Bus: (970) 400-6762 Fax: (970) 346-7981 Confidentiality Notice: This electronic transmission and any attached documents or other writings are intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged, confidential or otherwise protected from disclosure. If you have received this communication in error, please immediately notify sender by return e-mail and destroy the communication. Any disclosure, copying, distribution or the taking of any action concerning the contents of this communication or any attachments by anyone other than the named recipient is strictly prohibited. Hello