HomeMy WebLinkAbout20202981.tiffRESOLUTION
RE: APPROVE 2020-2021 LOW -ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LEAP) OUTREACH
INCENTIVE PROGRAM AGREEMENT AND DELEGATE AUTHORITY TO DIRECTOR
OF DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO SIGN AND ELECTRONICALLY
SUBMIT
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 the 2020-2021 Low -Energy Assistance
Program (LEAP) Outreach Incentive Program Agreement between 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, and the Colorado Office of Economic Security, Division of Food
and Energy Assistance, State LEAP Office, commencing October 1, 2020, and ending May 31,
2021, with further terms and conditions being as stated in said agreement, and
WHEREAS, after review, the Board deems it advisable to approve said agreement, 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 2020-2021 Low -Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) Outreach
Incentive Program Agreement between 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, and the Colorado Office of Economic Security, Division of Food and Energy Assistance,
State LEAP Office, be, and hereby is, approved.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Board that the authority to sign said agreement, be,
and hereby is, delegated to the Weld County Director of the Department of Human Services to
sign as the Agent for the Weld County Board of County Commissioners, and hereby is, authorized
to electronically submit.
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2020-2981
HR0092
2020-2021 LOW -ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LEAP) OUTREACH INCENTIVE
PROGRAM AGREEMENT
PAGE 2
The above and foregoing Resolution was, on motion duly made and seconded, adopted
by the following vote on the 30th day of September, A.D., 2020.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
WELD COUNTY, COLORADO
ATTEST: da,,wo�' jey,„ ,,k
Weld County Clerk to the Board
BY: w
AP
Deputy Clerk to the Boa
County Attorney
Date of signature: j0/o6/;Zo
Mike Freeman, Chair
Steve oreno, Pro-Tem
2020-2981
HR0092
PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL
MEMORANDUM
DATE: September 22, 2020
TO: Board of County Commissioners — Pass -Around
FR: Jamie Ulrich, Director, Human Services
RE: 2020-21 Low -Income Energy Assistance Program
(LEAP) Outreach Incentive Program Agreement
and Plan
Please review and indicate if you would like a work session prior to placing this item on the
Board's agenda.
Request Board Approval of the Department's 2020-21 Low Energy Assistance Program
(LEAP) Outreach Incentive Program Agreement and Plan. The Colorado Office of
Economic Security, Food & Energy Assistance Division, has disseminated information to
counties regarding the LEAP Outreach Incentive Program (OM-FEA-2021-0004). This program
was piloted during the 2019-20 LEAP season and is being formally launched for the 2020-21
heating season (October 1, 2020 through May 21, 2021). It has been established by the State in
an effort to increase the enrollment in LEAP as a nationwide decrease in applications for home
heating assistance has been seen in recent years. The Program has two main goals:
1) Increase the number of applications submitted with all questions answered and all
verification provided.
2) Decrease the number of applications denied for failure to provide verification of
information.
The Department will be entering into an agreement with United Way of Weld County (UWWC)
again to develop and implement a LEAP outreach campaign. This agreement will be funded
through LEAP outreach incentive funds totaling $26,000.00. The term of the agreement will be
October I, 2020 through May 31, 2021.
On behalf of UWWC, the Department is requesting to participate in the Program for the 2020-21
LEAP season. To participate, the Department is required to submit a signed LEAP Outreach
Incentive Program Agreement, drafted by the State, as well as a plan for meeting the established
goals of the Program. The Agreement and plan are attached and are due to the State by
Wednesday, September 30, 2020.
Pass -Around Memorandum; September 22, 2020 — Not in CMS Page I
2020-2981
°9/30
PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL
I do not recommend a Work Session. I recommend approval for the Director to sign the LEAP
Outreach Incentive Program Agreement and authorize the Department to submit the agreement
and plan.
Approve Schedule
Recommendation Work Session
Mike Freeman, Chair
Scott James
Barbara Kirkmeyer
Steve Moreno, Pro -Tern
Kevin Ross
Other/Comments:
Pass -Around Memorandum; September 22, 2020 — Not in CMS Page 2
COLORADO
Office of Economic Security
Division of Food ti Energy Assistance
2020-21 LEAP Outreach Incentive Program Agreement
County Responsibilities:
• Submit a plan for meeting the outreach goals to the State LEAP Office by
September 30, 2020
• Ensure that the county is staffed with someone who is trained to assist
clients with filling out their LEAP applications either in the county's lobby,
over the phone, or through use of virtual tools.
• Provide the State LEAP Office with the name(s) and contact information for
the individual(s) who will assist LEAP applicants or otherwise act as the
county's LEAP outreach representatives.
• Use any funds remaining after ensuring direct LEAP application assistance is
available to engage in targeted outreach, such as engagement at
community events and sharing LEAP information with community centers.
• If the county's LEAP program is administered by Goodwill Colorado, the
county will assist Goodwill Colorado by providing the information available
and necessary to process an application for LEAP.
• Accurately track and code any expenditures related to the Outreach
Incentive Program to the following in CFMS:
Program #:
Program Description:
Function #:
Function Description:
L305
LEAP Outreach Incentive Program
5200
IM LEAP Outreach
State LEAP Office Responsibilities:
• Allocate $26,000.00 to the county to fund the Outreach Incentive Program.
Funds will be available from October 1, 2020 through May 31, 2021.
• Be available to answer alt county questions and assist with any matters that
may arise as a result of implementing the Outreach Incentive Program.
• Oversee and monitor the outcomes of the Outreach Incentive Program by
measuring the number of applications denied for failure to provide
verification of information.
Make outcomes information available to the county upon request.
Digitally signed by Theresa
Theresa Kullen Kullen
Date: 2020.09.29 09:05:36
-06'00'
Theresa KuHen
County State LEAP Office
1575 Sherman Street, Denver, CO 80203 P 303.866.5700 www.colorado,gov/CDHS
Jared Polis, Governor I Michelle Barnes, Executive Director
Weld County Plan
2020-21 LEAP Outreach Incentive Program
Goals to be Met
The identified goals for the LEAP Outreach Incentive Program are:
• Increase the number of applications submitted with all questions answered and all verification
provided, and
• Decrease the number of applications denied for failure to provide verification of information.
Action Plan
To meet the above goals, the Weld County Department of Human Services (WCDHS) will enter into a
contract with United Way of Weld County (UWWC) to provide LEAP outreach services to vulnerable
low-income families and individuals, who are eligible for the Heating Fuel Assistance Program and the
Crisis Intervention Program.
UWWC will develop and implement a LEAP outreach campaign, with a focus on informing the
community about LEAP. This campaign will primarily focus on meeting the above goals by:
• Coordinating with other agencies, organizations and groups to facilitate participation of
potentially eligible persons with emphasis on the most vulnerable populations including the
elderly, disable, home bound and non-English speaking.
• Providing access to Heating Fuel Assistance Program information and application forms.
UWWC will identify locations in the county, such as community action programs, Social
Security offices and low-income housing sites for distribution and acceptance of applications.
• Providing an effective county wide information and referral system involving local agencies
and organizations.
• Providing a referral system to weatherization and other energy conservation programs.
• Special efforts to meet the needs of vulnerable populations, including aiding in completing
applications and securing the required verification.
• Providing regular communication with cooperating agencies to identify concerns, problems
and opportunities for improved outreach.
• Working with utility companies to refer eligible customers to LEAP.
• Ensuring all outreach materials are distributed to various community agencies targeting
vulnerable populations.
• Complying with all reporting requirements set forth by the Colorado Department of Human
Services (CDHS).
Anticipated Outreach Activities
• Utilize the 2-1-1 information and referral system.
• Exposure at Community and United Way Events.
• Work with United Way to create and/or distribute marketing materials not available through
the State.
• Utilize existing email distribution groups to increase exposure and disseminate LEAP
information.
• Utilize print and social media to increase exposure and disseminate LEAP information.
• Utilize the Colorado Department of Human Services Outreach Toolkit.
• Distribute created collateral to other agencies for distribution through their networks.
• Distribute promotional flyers through Weld Food Bank emergency food boxes and the mobile
food pantry.
• Other
Low -Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) Outreach Incentive Program Agreement
APPROVED AS TO FUNDING:
APP VEpIORM:
County Attorney
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