HomeMy WebLinkAbout20174018.tiffCOLORADO
Department of Human Services
Julie A. Cozad, Chair
Barbara Kirkmeyer, County Commissioner
Weld County
......:...
PO Box 758
Greeley;: Colorado 50632
November 20, 2017
Dear Commissioner Kirkmeyer,
RECEIVED
NOV 2 7 2017
WELD COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS
I am writing to follow up on your recent request to meet with me to discuss the allocation to Weld County
Department of Human Services for the Adult Protective Services (APS) program for FY 2017-18. I would
also like to acknowledge the letter sent to me by your fellow Commissioner, Julie Cozad, on January 23,
2017 to share concerns about the APS allocation formula for this year..I understand that staff members
from the Office of Community Access and Independence engaged local Weld County Human Services staff
regarding their concerns. I sincerely apologize for the, lack of formal response.
Weld County requested that I consider forming a workgroup of County Commissioners to discuss
review the proposed APS allocation prior to changing the formula for this year.
The Department uses an established and collaborative process to seek input from County Department of
Human Services representatives when developing the allocation formula for APS each year. The
development of the FY 2017 -18 -allocation formula involved the APS Allocation Task Group with
representatives from nine counties, including Weld County. This group met monthly from September 2016
through January 2017 during which time they developed the allocation methodology and developed a
recommendation that would be sent to SubPAC and PAC for review and vote. The task group voted to
recommend the allocation formula in a 7 to 1 vote. The allocation formula was then reviewed and
approved by vote at the Finance SubPAC and PAC meetings. At each point in the process, the allocation
formulacould be reviewed; debated and passed through voting. As a result, I believe the process was
consistent, fair and allowed for substantial input from county representatives.
and:
in addition, I would like to address a concern that was raised in .your January letter regarding the
caseload data. You referenced my testimony at the January 4, 2017 JBC hearing where I was describing
the need for additional state staff to support quality assurance efforts for APS. We have reviewed the.
testimony and the audio recording of the hearing and, while I understand the concerns Weld County has
raised about the accuracy and reliability of caseload data in the Colorado Adult Protective Services data.
system, I do not have reason to believe that the caseload information entered by counties is inaccurate or
unreliable. Further, I am confident that local county leadership work diligently to ensure that the APS
cases are well documented. Our mutual goal is to ensure consistent quality across the APS system in
Colorado.
•
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1575 Sherman Street, Denver, CO: 80203 P 303.866.5700 www.colorado.govFCDHS
John W. Hickentooper, Governor I Reggie Bicha, Executive Director
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ie the opportunity to meet with the Weld County Commissioners to: discuss
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Executive Director
Cc:
Jerene Petersen, Deputy Executive Director, Community Partnerships
Mark Wester, Director, Office of Conimunity Access and Independence
Mindy Kemp, Director, Division of Aging'andAdult Services
1575 Sherman Street, Denver, CO 80203 P 303..866.5700 www.co%orado.gov/CDH$
John W. Hickentooper, Governor i Reggie Bicha, Executive Director
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