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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20173402.tiffRESOLUTION RE: APPROVE APPLICATION FOR ANNIE E. CASEY FUNDING FOR SCHOOL MOBILITY AND DILIGENT RECRUITMENT FOR CHILDREN PLACED IN FOSTER CARE 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 an Application for Annie E. Casey Funding for School Mobility and Diligent Recruitment for Children Placed in Foster Care from the County of Weld, State of Colorado, by and through the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, on behalf of the Weld County Department of Human Services, to the Colorado Department of Human Services, Division of Child Welfare, commencing upon execution, 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 Application for Annie E. Casey Funding for School Mobility and Diligent Recruitment for Children Placed in Foster Care from the County of Weld, State of Colorado, by and through the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, on behalf of the Weld County Department of Human Services, to the Colorado Department of Human Services, Division of Child Welfare, be, and hereby is, approved. The above and foregoing Resolution was, on motion duly made and seconded, adopted by the following vote on the 2nd day of October, A.D., 2017. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WELD COUNTY, COLORADO ATTEST: dithiv •ok, Weld County Clerk to the Board BY: riV • Ccivc20..2_, uty Clerk to the Board APPR• D AS TO F County Attorney Date of signature: t O i to Ju ie Cozad, Chair Steve Moreno, Pro -Tern GG: HSDC I -1w) 10/10(17 rbara Kirkmeye I 2017-3402 HR0088 PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL MEMORANDUM DATE: September 25, 2017 TO: Board of County Commissioners — Pass -Around FR: Judy A. Griego, Director, Human Services RE: Weld County Department of Human Services' Request for Annie E. Casey Funding 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 Request for Annie E. Casey Funding (Attached). The Colorado Department of Human Services, Division of Child Welfare, has extended an informal invitation to counties to apply for Annie E. Casey funding to assist with school mobility and diligent recruitment for children placed in foster care. The Department is requesting $7,000.00 to assist with recruitment materials, foster care enhancement startup costs including a mentoring program for incoming foster families, and foster care recruitment marketing staff. I do not recommend a Work Session. I recommend approval to submit this request for Annie E. Casey funding. Sean P. Conway Julie A. Cozad, Chair Mike Freeman Barbara Kirkmeyer Steve Moreno, Pro -Tern Approve Schedule Recommendation Work Session mf- Other/Comments: 2017-3402 HRoO$ciit Pass -Around Memorandum; September 25, 2017 —Not in CMS Page 1 September 22, 2017 DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES P.O. BOX A GREELEY, CO. 80632 Website: www.co.weld.co.us Administration and Public Assistance (970) 352-1551 Child Support (970) 352-6933 Mary Griffin Division of Child Welfare Colorado Department of Human Services 1575 Sherman Street, 2nd Floor Denver, Colorado 80203 Dear Ms. Griffin: Weld County is excited to apply for Annie E. Casey funding to assist with the school mobility and diligent recruitment for children placed in foster care. Currently, Weld County is developing marketing strategies to improve and further develop our existing Foster Care Program. As the third largest county in Colorado, encompassing more than 40 communities spread over 3,992 square miles, we have a great need for new foster families. Our primary target audience for recruitment includes families that can foster younger children, ages birth -5 years of age, as 62% of our out -of -home placement falls within this age range. Our secondary target population is families that can foster children, ages 6-12. Currently 35% of Weld's out -of -home population falls within this age range. Many current foster families must drive great distances to ensure that children stay within their same school district. With the shortage of local foster families, children are having to change schools or spend extended periods of time being transported back and forth to school. Weld proposes that we follow our current implementation plan, created earlier this year, that sets forth specific goals to reduce placements overall and increase recruitment for the above -mentioned target populations. Our goal would be to keep children in their school of origin, further reducing the trauma experienced by the child as a result of removal from their home. Additionally, Weld County will focus on recruitment of Hispanic/Latino foster families, as 54% of our out -of -home placements are children of Hispanic/Latino descent. Weld County will further focus our recruitment efforts in the Southern regions of the County through increased marketing. Weld County requests $7,000 to assist with recruitment materials and foster care enhancement startup costs. The County has initiated a new marketing campaign in which we are developing new materials such as brochures, flyers, a logo, and Spanish language materials. Other items being considered include, stickers, information packets, and takeaway items that focus in on Weld County's foster care program. Weld County also is enhancing our foster care program through the development of a mentoring program for incoming foster families. This program will utilize our current and most experienced foster families to mentor new foster parents as they take on the placement of children. Weld County would like to utilize some of the funding to assist with the startup costs of this program. These costs would include incentives for our mentees. Additionally, Weld County may utilize the funds to assist with the cost of marketing staff to help us with the rollout of the new campaign. Thank you for your consideration of this request and the opportunity to be a potential recipient of these funds. If awarded, please provide written notification for our records. Heather Walker, Director Division of Child Welfare Hello