HomeMy WebLinkAbout20231030.tiffPERRY L. BUCK
April 4, 2023
Re: House Bill 23-1249 Reduce Justice -involvement For Young Children
House Judiciary Committee,
This letter is being sent on behalf of the Interagency Oversight Group of Weld County. During
our board meeting on March 30, 2023, the Board discussed House Bill 23-1249 and the impact it
would have on the Collaborative Management Program (CMP) in Weld County.
As the Interagency Oversight Group of Weld County Vice Chair, I am formally writing this letter to
state that we are opposed to House Bill 23-1249 Reduce Justice -involvement For Young Children.
We reject mandating counties to take part in Collaborative Management Program, requiring
Collaborative Management Program to assist children between the ages of 10 and 12 who have
had allegations of acts that would warrant criminal charges if they were an adult, and requiring
the Department of Human Services to work with families in situations not involving abuse and
neglect.
The Interagency Oversight Group of Weld County is founded on the principles of collaborative
management. Its purposes shall be to:
1. Conduct joint planning for resources utilization for multi -agency services to
children, youth, and families.
2. Facilitate coordination and collaboration among funders and service providers
which encourages shared decision -making and shared accountability.
3. Provide a forum for discussing community -wide needs and set service
coordination and developmental priorities.
4. Set and assess service improvement goals.
The Interagency Oversight Group of Weld County that oversees the local CMP in Weld County is
not a direct service provider. We collaborate and provide limited funding to other agencies that
provide services for children, youth, and families that align with our current performance measures
adopted by our Board Members. Our Interagency Oversight Group of Weld County currently funds
one full-time position to coordinate the program within Weld County. This one position would not
be able to take on the addition requirements of HB-23-1249 and would require the Interagency
Oversight Group of Weld County to utilize funds, if available, to hire more employees. HB-23-
1249 would also require the board to focus their time, efforts, and resources on fulfilling the
requirements of this bill instead of providing support to meet the performance measures of the
Collaborative Management Program MOU that is approved by the State. As HB04-1451 is
currently written, not meeting those performance measures could reduce or eliminate funds
received for the Collaborative Management Program.
The Interagency Oversight Group of Weld County is also concerned with the lack of due process
for these youth. Fundamental to any attempt for the government to force services on youth, at
risk of the initiation of removal proceedings, is a fair and thorough determination of wrongdoing.
Phone: 970-400-4200 Fax: 970-336-7233 1150 O St., P.O. Box 758, Greeley, CO 80632
GoMR'lU n ; cot; OO.5 2023-1030
04/12./23
As currently drafted, the Interagency Oversight Group of Weld County is concerned that
HB23- 1249 does not provide a trustworthy mechanism for ferreting out invalid claims of criminal
behavior.
HB23-1249 states in Section 1 (f) "A community -based altemative to serve young children is
more equitable. Young children of color are more likely to be referred to the juvenile justice
system and detained in juvenile facilities than young white children." This bill is shifting these
youth from one system to another. It does not reduce the trauma or impact to these families. In
fact, it could increase racial inequity being referred into the system since there would be no due
process and youth would be referred solely based on allegations/accusations.
Thank you for your time and diligence in ensuring the best for the children and families not only
in Weld County, but for the State of Colorado.
Since ely,
Cee,ea
Perry L. Buck
Interagency Oversight Group of Weld County Vice -Chair
Weld County Commissioner At -Large
Phone: 970-400-4200 Fax: 970-336-7233 1150 O St., P.O. Box 758, Greeley, CO 80632
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