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Home My WebLink About20203920.tiffRECEIVED COLORADO Office of Children,. Youth €r Families Division of Chi 1ld WeFate Joe Homier, Director Chafee Program County Services Report for Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2020 Contents Section 1: Program Demographics and Outreach Section 2: Progress and Planning Section 3: Outcome Areas Section 4: Collaborative Efforts Section 5: Youth Involvement in Agency Improvement and Planning Efforts: Section 6: Evaluation and Quality Assurance Section 7 Program Staff and Signature DEC 2 9 2020 WELD COUNTY COMMISSIONERS 1575Sherman 5treet, 2nd Floor, Denver, CO 80203 P 303-866-5932 F 303.866.5563 wow .co lorado.govfcdhs Jared Polis, Governor I Michelle Bames, Executive Director 4 5 5 6 CaMMon;Gc f:0ny 0I /©6/9d cc: NSDI F}cT(Sc/c0 1.2/9.°I /2Q 2020-3920 1-R °O90 Employment Services of Weld Coun ty December 18, 2020 Page 2of10 Section 1: Program Demographics and Outreach County Department/Service Provider: Employment Services of Weld County Performance Period: Oct. 1, 2019 through Sep. 30, 2020 Service Population Information and Demographics: (Collaborative Counties please provide service population by county) Number of youth waftlisted at least one day: 0 Number of incompleW referrals at the end of the period: 0 Participant Identification and Outreach Number of waitlisted youth who did NOT receive services: 0 Briefly describe efforts that were made to identify and engage Chafee-eligiite youth in your program: Narrative: Weld County Chafee builds retationships with caseworkers, community partners, foster and group home parents to identify eligible youth. These valuable partners discuss Chafee eligibility and help caseworkers with referrals once youth become eligible. Weld County also utilizes the Adolescent Care Exceptions Report, monthly administrative review list, TRAILS/Crystal Reports to identify eligible participants and contact the appropriate referral path to initiate possble enrollment Weld County caseworkers invite Chafe* workers to Family Engagement Meetings (FEM), Family Team Meetings (FTM), Team Decision Meetk gs (TOM), Permanency Round Tables, overt and case meetings to assist with identification and outreach to potential Chafee youth. Section 2: Progress and Planning (briefly address programmatic Improvements that occurred for this FFY and success stories) Program Accomplishments: (&lefty highlight your program's key accomplishments) Narrative: Weld County Chafee has been working diligently on facilitating and strengthening relationships with inter -governmental and external programs such as Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), Pillars of Successful Independence (PSI), and Pathways to Success of Shiloh House. Weld County Chafee continues outreach to develop and strengthen relationships with our community partners, These include but are not limited to the School to Work Alliance Program (SWAP), Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), and other local businesses for workshop opportunities as well as job placements for youth, Weld County Chafee also continues outreach to other county caseworkers with youth placed in Weld County for program referrals and as a result, the program caseload of enrolled youth has increased. Employment Services of Weld County December 18, 2020 Page 3of10 Chafee workers have also been presenting the Chafee program to professional groups such as Youth Net, local high schools and Community Transition Team (CTT). Weld County works collaboratively with United Way of Weld County (UWWC) and the Coordinated Assessment Housing Placement System (CAHPS) regarding referring eligible youth to the Family Unification Program (FUP) and the extension program, Family Self Sufficiency (FSS). Success Stories: (Briefly share some of your program's successes) Narrative: Johnny is currently workhg full -tine in the restaurant business and fs getting ready to start dasses in the spring. Johnny will be attending Aims Community College for Automotive and is excited to start working towards his career. With the help of Chafee, Johnny completed the application for the Educational and Training Vouchers (ETV) Program and has completed all the required flnandal aid documentation. Chafee helped Johnny make a referral for Dream Maker's to help him purchase a car to help him get to and from work and school. In November, Johnny's dream was filled by a generous donation of $700 which will be applied towards a car. Johnny has successfully budgeted his finances to maintain his own apartment and saved money to contribute to the cost of purchasing a car. Weld County Chafee was able, through braided funding and the infrastructure of Employment Services of Weld County, to place eight Chafee youth into a work experience which paid $12.00 an hour for up to 250 hours this past program year. Youth were placed at a variety of worksites that induded; Eaton Country Club, Immigrant Et Refugee Center of Northern Colorado, Ben's Furniture, High Plains Library, Cazadores Restaurant, Weld Food Bank, City of Greeley Parks and Rec., Guadalupe Shelter and Habitat for Humanity Re -Store. Over $13,000 in wages were paid and over 1,000 total hours worked. The work experience provided Chafee youth, who were not appropriate for WIOA enrollment, opportunities to earn money, gain employment skills and experience, and begin or carry forward budgeting skills. Contingent on funding, Weld County Chafee has hopes of continuing the work experience portion of our Chafee Program. Section 3; Outcome Areas (Briefly highlight ways in which your program addressed each of the following areas) Permanent Connections Narrative: Weld Chafe* workers participate in Team Decision Meetings (TDM), Family Team Meetings (FTM), Family Engagement Meetings (FEM), Youth "Voices" Permanency Round Tables, Permanency Round Tables, monthly staffing's, and Foster Care Reviews. Knowledge gained from these meetings help develop a plan regarding a youth emancipating from care and establish their connections to set youth up for success. Weld Chafee workers provide monthly independent living workshops. These workshop topics cover different independent living skills that include, but are not Umfted to, developing and maintaining healthy relationships and connections. Weld Chafee also works with foster parents, adoptive parents, youth, placement staff, caseworkers, and kinship providers to help educate and advocate the importance of youth maintaining these relationships and connections. Employment Services of Weld County December 18, 2020 Page 4 of 10 Weld Chafee workers may also work with youth who meet requirements for Adoption or Relative Guardianship Assistance and entered Relative Guardianship on or after age 16 to support those permanent relationships so that youth have a strong foundation that prepares them for eventual emancipation and self-sufficiency. Estimated # of Youth Connection Scales completed with participants: 15 Wellness: (physical, dental, mental, behavioral, sexual, relational, etc.) Narrative: Weld Chafee continues to collaborate with caseworkers, foster parents, youth, and kinship providers tt order 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. Weld County Chafee workers utiltze services offered by the Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment (WCDPHE) and youth are connected to the services provided (if/when needed). This also includes services for mental health and/or substance abuse treatment:, often recehred through North Range Behavioral Health (NRBH). Weld Chafee workers include programming provided by WCDPHE in independent living groups, monthly workshops, and individually with youth as directed by participant needs. Housing: Narrative: Weld County Chafee has been referring youth to the Family Unification Program (FUP) through North Range Behavioral Health (NRBH) and have maintained a dose working relationship with all agencies involved. Referrals for housing are also made to the Housing Authority, Catholic Charities and to the Department of Housing for financial assistance N needed. Referrals to available grant funds are also made for youth requiring bask items they may need when moving into their own home. Weld County Chafee schedules workshops that cover housing information which often include information regarding leases, associated fees, deposits, and good landlord/tenant relationships. Chafee also speaks with and tours local apartment complexes. This helps the youth have realistic expectations on housing as well as having an expert to answer their housing questions. Weld Chafee is partnered with the Coordinated Assessment Housing Placement System (CARPS) and United Way of Weld County. How many participants were do one of these categories on the last day of the period or last day of service while receiving Chafee services? FUP Leases 1 Rent or Own 15 Runaway 2 Homeless 2 FYI Leases 0 # of youth who transitioned from FUP/FYI to 0 sustainable housing (without a housing voucher) # of FUP/FYI leases 1 ended in mutual revision or eviction Employment Services of Weld County December 18, 2020 Page 5 of 10 Education: Narrative: Weld County Chafee encourage and support Chafee youth's relationships with secondary educators to help facilitate successful completion of their High School Diploma or High School Equtvalency (HSE). Chafee workers also connect youth to appropriate educational services offered in the community such as: transitionaleducation programming, tutoring through Aims Community College, University of Northern Colorado, .Jesus Rodarte Cultural Center, Greeley Alternative Program (GAP), alternative schools, Educational Opportunity Center (EOC), Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), Job Corps, and Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. Weld Chafee workers use their alliance with youth to promote the importance of post -secondary education and/or training by helping youth research employment opportunities and the requirements for them. Youth are provided the opportunity to visit post -secondary education/training alternatives, and received assistance in facilitating meetings with faculty, or counselors, Chafee also refers youth to services that assist them in filling out the FAFSA application as well as college and scholarship applications. Weld County participated in and supported youth attending the Annual Celebration of Educational Excellence as it is a positive celebration/reward of a youth's educational success and dedication. How many partidpants were enrolled in or attended each of these educational programs at any point during the reporting period? High School 20 2 -Year College Z GED Classes 3 4 -Year College 1 Vocational School 0 Post -Graduate 0 How many participants received a degree or certification during the period? High School 3 Associate 0 Diploma degree GED 0 Bachelor's 0 degree Vocational 0 Higher 0 Certificate/ License Degree Employment; (Briefly highlight ways in which your program addressed this outcome area) Narrative: Weld County Chafee also collaborates with the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and School to Work Alliance Program (SWAP) by referring youth for further employment assistance as well as job placements for work experience to build their resume. Weld County Chafee works with youth in groups and on an individual basis to prepare for and look for employment Youth are provided information regarding pre -employment processes, interviewing, job seeking skills, job readiness, and post -employment support Employment Services of Weld County December 18, 2020 Page 6o€10 Weld County Chafee Worker, Jasmin Dominguez, is a WIOA Youth Case Manager and is able to co -enroll appropriate Chafee Youth Into WIOA to aid with paid work experience, job search, resume building, completion of applications and mock interviewing. How many participants were employed full -tine? How many participants were employed part•tkne? 7 How many participants received services 12 through a local workforce center? 12 How many participants participated in an 10 internship or apprenticeship? Sex Trafficking Reporting Procedure for Adult Participants: (Briefly highlight how your program implemented this aspect of the annual plan) Narrative: When the Weld County Department of Human Services has reason to believe an aftercare youth (that no longer has an open &Rd welfare case and is 18.21 years of age) is, or at risk of being a victhr of sex trafficking the County shall: 1. Screen the child/youth for risk of sex trafficking using a State approved sex trafficking screen; 2. Report immediately, and no later than twenty-four (24) hours from when the County department becomes aware, to the local law enforcement agency. The County shall report the information provided from the direct report and/or with information as to the concerns identified in the State approved sex trafficking screen tool; arid, 3. Document the details of the report to law enforcement in the Stag automated rase management system "The reporting procedure was created and implemented into Weld County Chafee's plan by collaboratdng with our local law enforcement agency to enable the most effective reporting method for Weld County Chafee staff. •` How many reports were made to local law enforcement? 0 Section 4: Collaborative Efforts (Address new collaborative efforts, partnerships and activities, or changes W existing partnerships that were developed or occurred during the period) Inter -Governmental Partnerships and Collaborative Efforts: Narrative: Weld County Chafee works with titer -department programs such as: Assistance Payments, Community Service Block Grant (CSBG), Employment Services of Weld County (ESWC), Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment (WCDPHE), Weld County Courts, Teamwork innovation Growth Hope and Training (TIGHT), and WIOA to help meet the needs of Chafee participants. Employment Services of Weld County December 18, 2020 Page 7 of 10 Not -For -Profit Community Partnershts and Collaborative Efforts: Narrative: Weld County Chafee continues to collaborate with several nonprofit agencies including: United Way of Weld County, Colorado Dream Makers, Catholic Charities, Turn Around Bikes, School to Work Alliance Program (SWAP), and North Range Behavioral Heatth (NRBH). These community collaborations ensure our youth have connections for independent living skits, employment assistance/coaching, housing resources including vouchers, transportation, and services for mental health and/or substance abuse. Faith -Based Partnerships and Collaborative Efforts; Narrative: Weld County refers youth to faith -based services on an as requested basis. Business and For -Profit Partnerships and Collaborative Efforts: Narrative: Weld County Chafee has built and maintained relationships with locat business owners. Our program partners with these businesses to provide our monthly workshops. Some of these businesses include; banks/credit unions, Certified Personal Accountants (taxes), local apartment complex managements, local car dealerships, and local hospitals. Weld County Chafee strives to build these relationshOs based off the knowledge that the youth have expressed interest in teaming as well as information that is asked on our Chafee IL Assessment By Wading these relationships we are helping youth develop life skits that they wan use daily and help them develop permanent connections in the community. Runaway and Homeless Youth (RHY) providers and Collaborative Efforts: Narrative: Weld Chafee received training in administering the Vulnerability Index - Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool (VI-SPDAT) through United Way of Weld County. Weld Chafee helps prevent homelessness in youth who are in Chafee and transttioning out We are also an active partner with United Way of Weld County Coordinated Assessment Housing Placement System (CAHPS) and work directly with the coordinator, Summer Garcia. Weld Chafee also has a strong relationship with a homeless shelter in Greeley, the Guadalupe Shelter. Section 5: Youth Involvement in Agency Improvement and Planning Efforts: Does your program run or have connection to a local Youth Advisory Board (YAB)? No Name of YAB: N/A Employment Services of Weld County December 18, 2020 Page 8of10 YAB Coordinator Name: Title: Email: Phone: Briefly describe ways to which young people have been included in and influenced program improvement, policy, and planning during this period: Narrative: Youth continue to be invited and encouraged to participate in planning reviews such as Team Decision Meetings (TDM), Family Team Meetings (FTM), Family Engagement Meetings (FEM), Permanency Round Tables, Youth Voices Round Tables, and monthly meetings/staffing's. Through participation in these meetings youth can provide information and ideas frorn their perspective regarding interventions that have or have not worked well for them and what their goals and/or plans are moving forward. Youth are also notified of community events that Chafee becomes aware of such as Project Foster Power, Youth Advisory Boards and/or local opportunities for youth voice to influence local programs. Program Support: (Address training and technical assistance your program received and future training needs) Training/Technical Assistance Received: Narrative: Weld Chafee has received guidance, training and technical assistance from Derek Blake. Weld County Chafee also has reached out to Adams County Chafee and The Matthews House and have met with these entities to discuss Chafee. Through these discussions Weld County Chafee has received helpful guidance and partnership with regard to Chafee transitioning from the Chid Welfare Division to the Employment Services Division of the Weld County Department of Human Services late in the 2018-2014 program year. Weld County Chafee received training in Trust -Based Relational intervention (TBRI) Caregiver Training and will continue with the series until complete. Weld County Chafee was involved with the Chafee Funding Methodology Modernization work group which helped aid to the overall funding knowledge of Chafee and the direction of future funding methodology for the program. Training/Technical Assistance Needs: Narrative: Continued training and technical assistance in Chafee processes will be needed. Trails and the modernization assistance and training will continue to be needed with the new roll out. Weld County Chafee will continue to receive training in TBRI Caregiver Training, to better assist with meeting Chafee participant need and build stronger and healthier relationships with participants. Employment Services of Weld County December 18, 2020 Page 9 of 10 Weld County Chafee will continue to reach out to fellow Chafee workers in our region and throughout the state to partner and learn. Weld will continue to attend the Chafee Quarterly Meetings iv team and keep informed regarding any new changes in the program. Section 6: Evaluation and Quality Assurance (Briefly address any local program evaluation and quality assurance activities) Local program evaluation and quality assurance activities: Narrative: Weld County Chafee has implemented several checks and balances within the program to ensure the quality of the program including double checks on all fiscal items and decisions. There is also a management review of all documents created or revised. Alt new processes are vetted through Chafee staff and management Budget, costs, and demographics are carefully tracked on a spreadsheet and documented in the participants' files. All current Chafee staff have been trained h confidentiality. Weld County staff have met with other county staff and programs to ensure comprehensivoe knowledge of services. Weld County Chafee staff have established and oantinue to enhance relationships wtth community partners to increase knowledge on the Chafee program. Employment Services of Weld County December 18, 2020 Page 10 of 10 Section 7: Program Staff and Signature Administrator Name: Tide: Email: Phone: Tami Grant Deputy Director tRrantewwelditov.com 970-400-6754 Chafee Supervisor Name: Karina Amaya Title: Youth Et Adult Email: kamaya@weldaov,com Phone: 970-400-6763 Employment and Training Manager Worker Name: Title: Email: Phone: Jasmin Dominguez Youth Programs Case idomineuez@weldQov.com 970-400-6761 Manager Worker Name: Title: Email: Phone: Greg Cordova Youth Programs Rcordovail)weldiZov.corn 970-400.6762 Specialist Accounting Contact Name: Title: Email: Phone: Who should future program referrals be directed to? Jastnin Dominguez Signature, Director County Departrnent of Human Services (. di. I l Print name O"; —9 A fi Hello