Date: 01/21/2010
Final
Briefing from DHS
COMMITTEE ON JOINT HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
| Votes: View--> | Action Taken: |
| <none> | <none> |
02:39 PM -- Briefing from Department of Human Services
Karen Beye, Executive Director, Department of Human Services introduced herself to the committee. The deputy directors of the department introduced themselves to committee. She provided two handouts to the committee, a resource guide and the 2010 bill proposals from the department (Attachments C and D respectively). Ms. Beye explained some of the services and programs the department administers. Ms. Beye highlighted several areas in which the department is working more efficiently, one of them being management of technology. She spoke to several technological improvements the department has made, such as the implementation of an on-line application for food stamps which will be available in 2010. She also highlighted a new application on the department's website that makes it easier for individuals to evaluate whether they are eligible for the food assistance programs, such as food stamps.
02:50 PM
Ms. Beye spoke to how the department has been dealing with the reduction in funding. She addressed the closure some of the beds at the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Ft. Logan. She indicated that the department used the America Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) dollars to fund services for individuals on the waiting list for services for individuals with developmental disabilities and to purchase software technology. Ms. Beye stated that there has been about a 31 percent increase in food assistance needs in recent months. She stated that some of the ARRA funds were used to hire temporary staff to process the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (food stamps) applications.
02:55 PM
Executive Director Beye spoke to the increase in the monthly stipend for Temporary Assistance for Needy Family (TANF) recipients. She stated that there has not been an increase in the monthly stipend for several decades. She indicated that a TANF recipient may receive 30 percent more or approximately $364 monthly. Ms. Beye spoke to the condition of buildings that the state owns. She provided an update to the committee regarding the Trinidad State Nursing Home. Ms. Beye briefly touched on services provided to veterans and indicated that the department, in conjunction with the federal government, will be opening up an assisted living program near the veteran's hospital to serve individuals returning from military combat.
03:01 PM
Ms. Beye spoke to the 16.4 percent decrease in recidivism rates for individuals in the Department of Youth Corrections. Ms. Beye spoke to several programs within the Department of Youth Corrections.
03:10 PM
Ms. Beye briefly spoke to the recommendations of the Child Welfare Action Committee. She provided an update regarding the child welfare training academy. She detailed several grants that the department has been awarded. Ms. Beye provided concluding remarks.
03:15 PM
Representative Swalm asked Executive Director Beye to explain in more detail services provided by the state to veterans. Committee members asked several questions of Ms. Beye. Representative Kerr asked several questions regarding the Department of Youth Corrections. Representative Gagliardi asked several questions about the Colorado Benefits Management System. Members asked for more clarification regarding the closure of some beds at the Colorado Mental Health Institute in Ft. Logan. Representative Kefalas asked Director Beye if there was any specific actions that the department was taking to reduce poverty after the Economic Poverty Reduction Task Force made recommendations over the interim. Bill Hanna, Office of Policy and Legislative Initiatives, Department of Human, responded that the 'Higher Colorado' initiative which uses TANF funds to provide education to about 1,600 individuals is one example of what the department is doing using moneys from the Strategic Use Funds to help reduce poverty in Colorado.
04:00 PM
Senator Carroll asked the department to comment on the process for determining eligibility for Social Security Income benefits. Director Beye stated that the federal government is extremely backed up in reviewing applications. Ms. Beye responded that the federal government is also evaluating whether to send more employees to aid the process. Senator Carroll expressed concern over the process.
04:05 PM
The committee adjourned.