HomeMy WebLinkAbout20170553.tiffOFFICE OF BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PHONE: 970-336-7204
FAX: 970-352-0242
1150 O STREET
P.O. BOX 758
GREELEY, COLORADO 80632
January 23, 2017
Colorado Department of Human Services
Attention: Reggie Bicha, Executive Director
1575 Sherman Street, Eighth Floor
Denver, CO 80203
Dear Director Bicha,
We request you reject the recommendation of the Adult Protective Services (APS) Allocation
Workgroup, which would change the formula used to calculate annual county allocations. And
further request that you convene a workgroup of County Commissioners to discuss and review
the proposed allocation prior to any changes made to the formula.
The current model places emphasis on demographic factors by quantifying the number of low-
income seniors in each county, which represents the potential client -base. These demographic
factors are currently weighted at 70% of the allocation calculation. The workload factor,
calculated as the number of days APS clients were open in the CAPS system during the
previous year accounts for the remaining 30%. The Workgroup's recommendation is to weigh
both the demographic and workload factors evenly at 50% each.
The Workgroup's justification for this change is based on the belief that the data in the CAPS
system is accurate and reliable in measuring the true demand for services in each county.
However, as you presented at the Joint Budget Committee Hearing on January 4, 2017, more
than 75% of the cases reviewed in a four -county case review either were incorrectly screened -in
or were investigated using only a phone collaboration, rather than an in -person investigation, or
both. Therefore, the reliability of the data used by the Workgroup in this new calculation is not
supportable.
For example, the workload data being used to estimate the SFY 2017-18 allocation indicates
that Mesa County, which historically represents approximately 4% of the State-wide workload in
other program areas, represents 10.1% of the workload in the State for APS services. Likewise,
Delta County, historically less than one-half of 1% of the State-wide workload represents 3.5% of
the State-wide workload. Conversely, El Paso County, historically 14% of the state-wide
workload represents only 7.4% for APS Services. The existence of these anomalies and the
Department's own Quality Assurance review lead us to believe that the data being pulled from
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the CAPS system is not yet reliable enough to be weighted more heavily when determining the
relative need for these services in each county.
The eventual estimated impact of this proposed change will reduce the allocation of 38 counties
in SFY 2017-18. Huerfano County would lose 31.5%, Sedgwick 48.2%, and Washington 53.8%.
The funding reduced from the allocation of these 38 counties will go to increase the allocations
of the remaining 26 counties. Of the $814,000 being shifted, $700,000 will be concentrated in
just six counties: Mesa, Larimer, Boulder, Delta, Broomfield, and Pueblo.
Thank you for your consideration.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
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Julie A. Cozad, Chair
Cc: Judy Griego
Don Warden
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