Date: 04/23/2010
Final
Child Welfare Service Providers
COMMITTEE ON CHILD WELFARE
| Votes: View--> | Action Taken: |
| <none> | <none> |
02:31 PM -- Challenges Identified by Child Welfare Service Providers
Dr. Skip Barber, Executive Director, and Dr. Jerry Yager, Colorado Association for Family and Children's Agencies, Jim Barclay, Foster Care Adoption Agencies of Colorado, and Mary Lewis, parent of a foster child, came to the table and introduced themselves to the committee.
02:34 PM -- Dr. Skip Barber provided a copy of recommendation 32 from the CWAC to the Joint Select Committee on Child Welfare (Attachment J). He described the recommendation, which advocates for a system of care for children rather than a system of care that is encapsulated in silos. He provided a historical background regarding the state's behavioral health services. He spoke to the funding mechanism of the child welfare system. He asked the committee to reconsider rate cuts to child welfare providers. He stated that within the last fiscal calendar year, six residential facilities closed due to lack of funding. He cautioned the committee that the state is facing a serious crisis because of the lack of residential child care facilities for children with high-end needs.
02:41 PM -- Jim Barclay continued to discuss funding mechanisms for child welfare providers. Mr. Barclay concurred with Mr. Barber's testimony regarding the crisis concerning residential child care facilities and child placement centers. He urged the committee to reprioritize state funding.
02:46 PM -- Dr. Jerry Yager commented on the child welfare system.
02:52 PM -- Mary Lewis stated that she has spoken with several mandatory reporters involved in the system. She relayed a story and stated that several mandatory reporters are extremely frustrated by the system. She stated there are many success stories but they are not necessarily highlighted. She suggested that there is a lack of consistency and transparency in the child welfare system.
03:00 PM
The committee discussed funding of the child welfare system. Dr. Yager stated that the system is stressed. He stated that many factors contribute to child fatalities. He suggested that integration of the system and a continuum of care is extremely important.