HomeMy WebLinkAbout20231526.tiffNACO Achievement Awards:
The Achievement Awards program is a non-competitive awards program recognizing
innovative county government programs.
2023 NACo ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNER
Successful Chafee Integration with Workforce Development
WELD COUNTY, COLO.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
CATEGORY: Children and Youth
YEAR: 2023
Foster youth face increased barriers to a successful adulthood. In 2019, the Weld County
Department of Human Services moved the John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program
(Chafee) from Child Welfare to Employment Services of Weld County (ESWC), the local
American Job Center. This innovative strategic alignment of services was intentionally designed
to improve outcomes for foster youth by leveraging available workforce programs, funding, and
expertise. Braiding funds has been critical as Chafee is underfunded; Weld County's allocation
doesn't support one full-time employee let alone supports and services for youth. The shift to
deliver and align services through ESWC has increased opportunities for foster youth to engage
in work -based learning activities, earning income to support their successful transition to
independence, including paid internships, registered apprenticeships, on-the-job training, along
with opportunities for career exploration in high -demand pathways. Chafee Youth are paired
with a Youth Life Skills Navigator who not only delivers Chaffee supports and services but is
uniquely equipped to co -enroll youth into the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act providing
opportunities for a continuum of support. Weld County has improved services and outcomes
for foster youth and is currently the only County in Colorado with this model, and perhaps the
country.
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2023-1526
2023 ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNER
"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more,
and become more, then you are a leader. "-John Quincy Adams
The National Association of Counties is proud to award
Weld County, Colo.
A 2023 Achievement Award for its program titled:
Successful Chafee Integration with Workforce Development
Matthew Chase, NACo Executive Director
NACo 2023
ACHIEVEMENT
AWARD
Winner
Hon. Denise Winfrey, NACo President
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