HomeMy WebLinkAboutR10-078 Support of LOcal Admin of CO Human Services SystemCommissioner ~~ ~~IL.-~L~-1 moved adoption
of the following Resolution:
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
COUNTY OF EAGLE, STATE OF /COLORADO
RESOLUTION N0.2010 - 6 ~ U
RESOLUTION FOR THE SUPPORT OF LOCAL ADMINISTRATION OF
COLORADO'S HUMAN SERVICES SYSTEM AND A COMMITMENT TO
EXCELLENCE
WHEREAS, the Governor's Child Welfare Action Committee (CWAC) established by
Executive Order B 006 08 on April 16, 2008, examined the child welfare system over the course
of eighteen months and developed thirty-five recommendations to improve the safety of
vulnerable children in Colorado; and
WHEREAS, Eagle County supported the creation of the Governor's CWAC and endorsed
twenty-seven of the twenty-nine recommendations that originated from it; and
WHEREAS, many recommendations from the Governor's CWAC have already been
implemented including the Child Welfare Training Academy and the Differential Response
Pilot; and
WHEREAS, National data from the United States Department of Human Services shows that
the rate of child fatalities due to abuse or neglect per 100,000 children is slightly higher for state
administered systems than .county administered systems; and
WHEREAS, in Colorado, the percent of child fatalities with prior county involvement has
declined over a seven year period from 56% to 24%; and
WHEREAS, one of the Governor's CWAC recommendations was to structurally reorganize the
delivery of human services in the state, not just the child welfare system; and
WHEREAS, this recommendation, despite the work and focus of the Governor's CWAC on
child welfare, implicated all of human services including, but not limited to, food stamps, child
care, and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF); and
WHEREAS, Colorado Counties Inc.'s (CCI) Health and Human Services Policy Statement
states that CCI supports and "advocates local administration of the social services system in
order to maximize the flexibility and responsiveness of the system to local needs, while ensuring
efficient management and local control"; and
WHEREAS, CCI's bylaws state our opposition to any movement that has as its objective
centralization of government in large units to the detriment of Colorado's residents.
WHEREAS, Eagle County has already implemented locally several programs responsive to the
recommendations of the CWAC, including: 1) case workers completing extensive pre-training
before managing cases, and 2) increasing the number of case worker face-to-face visits with
children; and 3) investigating all serious allegations involving children under five years of age.
WHEREAS, Eagle County strongly believes that it is better able to serve the needs of its
citizenry and their children because: (1) it can respond to urgent issues more quickly; (2) it is
more familiar with, and has existing contacts with, several other organization or entities that can
be brought into a situation to assist in resolving it (such as Colorado West Mental Health Center,
a network of local and bilingual therapists); and (3) as a known local resource for addressing
problems in child welfare, the local residents will be more likely to contact the County directly,
and to communicate effectively with it, when help is needed
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF THE COUNTY OF EAGLE, STATE OF COLORADO:
THAT, Eagle County reaffirms its commitment to excellence in the provision of human services
and child welfare.
THAT, Eagle County is committed to continuous quality improvement.
THAT, Eagle County is committed to enhancing the accountability of both state and local
governments' management.
THAT, Eagle County acknowledges the numerous community partners that serve as champions
in protecting the welfare of our residents.
THAT, Eagle County reaffirms its support for alocally-administered human services system.
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