Date: 01/18/2006
Final
Oversight Presentation by Dept. of Human Services
COMMITTEE ON JOINT HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
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10:37 AM -- Presentation by the Department of Human Services
Marva Livingston Hammons, Executive Director, Department of Human Services (DHS), distributed a notebook of information to members (Executive Summary appears in Attachment B). She reviewed the contents of the notebook. She described DHS as the last of the umbrella agencies in Colorado. It focuses on services to vulnerable people, but those services vary widely. Priorities for 2006 include providing quality services through performance measures and "front-end" investments. Ms. Hammons described federal oversight of DHS programs and services such as foster care. The department continues to await legislation continuing Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF). There are concerns that federal support for TANF child care may be reduced through new legislation. A representative of Colorado's executive branch is present in Washington, DC, and continues to communicate to Congressional members the state's desire to pass favorable TANF legislation.
10:48 AM
Reginald Jefferson, Office of Financial Services, described the department's efforts to restore its facilities. Robert Wonnett, Office of Performance Improvement, discussed his office's efforts to improve workings within the department and services provided by counties. Mr. Wonnett and Ms. Hammons answered questions about county child welfare programs and required review committees. Ms. Hammons described methods the department uses to ensure every county has formed such committees.
10:58 AM
Ron Huston, Office of Information Technology and Services, discussed strengths of the office, including excellent staff and a good strategic planning process to anticipate Coloradans' future needs. He stated one of the office's challenges in 2006 is to improve emergency preparedness. Ongoing meetings and surveys keep the department apprised of the quality of DHS's services. Mr. Huston answered questions about emergency preparedness. Currently the department is prepared to handle low to moderated situations.
11:05 AM
Steve Bates, Office of Children, Youth, and Family Services, discussed the broad range of services overseen by his office. They include child care and youth corrections. Child care facilities are licensed and monitored, and child care assistance is available to low-income families to help them maintain gainful employment. He discussed computer programs used to determine applicants' program eligibility. He and Ms. Hammons stated that as the scope of the Colorado Benefits Management System (CBMS) was reduced for budgetary reasons, additional computer systems were required for certain programs, including child care. Mr. Bates answered questions about background checks for child care workers. Ms. Hammons reminded members that not all child care providers are required to be licensed. She stated the department often relies on families for feedback on child care providers. Mr. Bates discussed the residential treatment program.
11:19 AM
Mr. Bates discussed the plan to improve DHS services and recidivism rates of youths who have come out of corrections. He answered questions about mental health services to youth. He stated the acuity level of mental illness has grown significantly in recent years. Pauline Burton, Office of Self-Sufficiency, listed the programs within her office and described challenges for 2006. They include a decline in federal dollars for refugee services.
11:30 AM
John Daurio, Adult Disability and Rehabilitation Services, described staffing levels and numbers of persons served. He discussed challenges in 2006, including the meeting the needs of very low-income persons, low reimbursement rates to providers, and increasing numbers of the mentally ill. He answered questions about the availability of health care services.
11:37 AM
Deborah Trout, Office of Behavioral Health and Housing, listed the programs within her office. She described the office's strengths, including excellent staff and collaboration with other programs with whom they share constituents. Challenges for the office include sustaining adequate services and maintaining facilities through recent budget cuts. She described the benefit of preventive measures. Office goals include decreasing drunken driving, the use of restraints in institutes, and youths' access to tobacco products.