Mesa County- Mesa County’s Crossover Team was recognized by the Convening on Children, Youth and Families. Don Castro, of 21 Judicial Probation received the Excellence in Practice Key to Success Award as the Chair of the Crossover Youth Committee of Mesa County. This recognizes Mesa County’s focus on community partnerships through preparation, perseverance, and integrity which led to an effective collaboration among the courts, the child welfare agency, attorneys, providers, law enforcement, and child welfare community; while providing for safety, permanency and the well-being of children and families in Mesa County.
Don Castro, of 21 Judicial Probation says the following, “I would agree that there’s been a lot of collaboration between DHS and Probation and would say it’s at an all-time high.”
Jill Calvert, Division Director of Mesa County Child Welfare Services and Judge Valerie Robison are key supporters of the Crossover work and were instrumental in Mesa County being selected by Georgetown University as a site to implement the Crossover Youth Practice Model.
According to Calvert, DHS Child Welfare Division Director, “By working together we are able to serve children at the lowest possible level without duplicating services. This collaboration has been building for several years and the therapies we offer collectively provide the best opportunity for children to be safe and find permanency. ”
The Crossover Implementation Team consists of collaborations with the following community agencies: Probation, Judges, Magistrates, GJPD, Mesa County Sheriff’s Office, Criminal Justice Services, Mesa County District Attorney’s Office, the Public Defender’s Office, Mesa County Department of Human Services, Division Of Youth Corrections, School District 51, Partners, Mind Springs Health, Hilltop.
Thursday, December 10, 2015
Friday, December 4, 2015
Human Services Sends Welfare Fraud Case to DA for Prosecution
The Mesa County Department of Human Services (MCDHS)
Fraud and Recovery Unit recently sent a suspected fraud case to the Mesa County
District Attorney’s office totaling over $5,432.74.
The suspected fraud occurred from March 4, 2014
to August 31, 2015. Welfare Fraud investigators uncovered enough evidence to
allege fraud in the following programs:
Food Assistance: $1,679.00
AND
Aid to the Needy and Disabled: $3,022.75
Additionally, the Department will be seeking restitution of
$730.99 in Administrative costs associated with the investigation
Intentionally defrauding public assistance programs
consists of falsely reporting information on an application including household
composition, household resources or household income. Punishment includes
repayment of benefits issued and may result in a 1-year to lifetime ban from
receiving public assistance benefits and/or criminal prosecution.
“Knowingly providing false information on a public assistance
application/re-certification in order to receive benefits is a crime and it is
something we take very seriously,” said Tracey Garchar, Executive Director for
the Mesa County Department of Human Services. “These benefits are in place for
people who are eligible and genuinely need them in order to help provide basic
needs for their family,” added Garchar.
If you or someone you know suspects welfare fraud, please
call the Mesa County Department of Human Services Welfare Fraud Hotline at (970) 256-2421.
Tuesday, November 10, 2015
Mesa County Veterans Service Office Encouraging Vets to Visit
In observance of Veterans Day, November 11 the Mesa County Department
of Human Services would
like to highlight the services available through the County Veteran Service Officer
(VSO). VSO, Dave Montoya, from the Mesa County Workforce Center is available to
help veterans navigate their Veteran benefits. VSO’s help gather the
information necessary to support a claim, filing a claim, and tracking the
claim through the VA system. A County VSO can also assist with filing appeals
for denied claims. Some of the services
the County VSO can assist with include:
·
Pension, Aid &
Attendance, Nursing Home Care Claims
·
Insurance Benefits &
Eligibility
·
Educational Benefits
·
Burial & Death
Benefits
·
Federal, State &
Local Benefits
·
Recovery of Military
Service Records
·
Referral for: housing,
health, employment, counseling, and other support agencies
Department
of Human Service’s Executive Director Tracey Garchar states, “I strongly encourage local Veterans make use
of the services provided by our Veteran Service Officer.
Dave’s expertize can help Vets avoid the pitfalls and delays that can result
from missing paperwork or improperly filled out claim forms.”
The Mesa County Veteran’s Service Officer provides services to veterans
who served in the United State Armed Forces, their surviving spouses and
dependent children.
Call today to
schedule an appointment! 970-248-2733.
Wednesday, October 14, 2015
Mesa County Workforce Center and Department of Human Services welcomes a new Workforce Director,
The Mesa County Workforce Center and Department of Human Services welcomes a new Workforce Director, John Flanagan.
“We are pleased to welcome, John Flanagan to the team as our new Workforce Center Director. John has more than a decade of non- profit management and workforce development experience.” said Tracey Garchar, Executive Director of the Mesa County Department of Human Services.
Prior to his appointment as the Workforce Center Director with Mesa County, Flanagan held the position of Chief Operating Officer - Title I/ Workforce Programs for the Northwest PA CareerLink ®, and it’s contracted provider, the Venango Training and Development Center, Inc. As COO, Flanagan was responsible for managing all WIA/WIOA program oversight for a 6 county Workforce Development area with a labor force in excess of 400,000 people.
Three of John’s key initiatives were sector partnership development, focusing on advanced manufacturing and building and trades, helping to create career pathways with input from employers and educators to address the needs of the employer in creating a skilled labor pool, and job seekers looking for life and family sustaining employment. The creation of a career exploration program for 6-8th grade youth and coordinating, managing and executing a large scale, STEM focused summer youth career readiness and employment program, serving in excess of 200 youth within Erie County were 2 other key focuses in John’s time in Northwest PA and the workforce sector.
“I am extremely excited to be here, in Mesa County. Mesa County is a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family. The Mesa County Workforce Center is truly a place where ingenuity occurs in order to assist employers and job seekers in attaining their goals and objectives. I have always been a believer in the adage that there is no better social program than a job. I truly believe the Mesa County Workforce Center, and its partners, ascribe to that mission as well.” states John Flanagan, the new Workforce Center Director.
Flanagan holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in Public Administration from Gannon University. Flanagan is married to Emily Flanagan, and they have a 1 year old son, Jack. In their free time, The Flanagan’s enjoy skiing, golfing, watching their beloved Pittsburgh Steelers on Sundays, and taking long walks with their 2 Boston terriers, Hank and Gretta.
“We are pleased to welcome, John Flanagan to the team as our new Workforce Center Director. John has more than a decade of non- profit management and workforce development experience.” said Tracey Garchar, Executive Director of the Mesa County Department of Human Services.
Prior to his appointment as the Workforce Center Director with Mesa County, Flanagan held the position of Chief Operating Officer - Title I/ Workforce Programs for the Northwest PA CareerLink ®, and it’s contracted provider, the Venango Training and Development Center, Inc. As COO, Flanagan was responsible for managing all WIA/WIOA program oversight for a 6 county Workforce Development area with a labor force in excess of 400,000 people.
Three of John’s key initiatives were sector partnership development, focusing on advanced manufacturing and building and trades, helping to create career pathways with input from employers and educators to address the needs of the employer in creating a skilled labor pool, and job seekers looking for life and family sustaining employment. The creation of a career exploration program for 6-8th grade youth and coordinating, managing and executing a large scale, STEM focused summer youth career readiness and employment program, serving in excess of 200 youth within Erie County were 2 other key focuses in John’s time in Northwest PA and the workforce sector.
“I am extremely excited to be here, in Mesa County. Mesa County is a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family. The Mesa County Workforce Center is truly a place where ingenuity occurs in order to assist employers and job seekers in attaining their goals and objectives. I have always been a believer in the adage that there is no better social program than a job. I truly believe the Mesa County Workforce Center, and its partners, ascribe to that mission as well.” states John Flanagan, the new Workforce Center Director.
Flanagan holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in Public Administration from Gannon University. Flanagan is married to Emily Flanagan, and they have a 1 year old son, Jack. In their free time, The Flanagan’s enjoy skiing, golfing, watching their beloved Pittsburgh Steelers on Sundays, and taking long walks with their 2 Boston terriers, Hank and Gretta.
Thursday, October 8, 2015
Mesa County Sheriff's Office LOSES to the Dept. of Human Services
Mesa County Department of Human Services Executive Director and the Mesa
County Sheriff made a friendly bet on their 2015 Men in Heels teams and now it
is time to pay UP!
Prior to the 2015 Latimer House, Men in Heels race, MCDHS, Executive
Director, Tracey Garchar bet Sheriff Matt Lewis that his MCDHS Men in Heels
team could beat the MC Sheriff Office team in a head-to-head race against the clock.
The Mesa County DHS team was victorious when they ran the first heat against
the Sheriff’s Office team during the Men in Heels Race on September 24, 2015.
Now it is time for Sheriff Matt Lewis to pay up and we are inviting the
media to document results of this friendly wager. The check presentation will be on Monday, October 12, 2015, at
1:30pm at Latimer House. Lewis will present Garchar with a check, which
will then be donated to Theresa McKenzie on behalf of Latimer House.
For more
information contact:
The Latimer House is a counseling, advocacy and shelter for adults and children who
are survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. Latimer House is located at 1003 Main Street,
Grand Junction.
Friday, September 18, 2015
TANF Community Investment Program Application
|
General
Information
The Mesa County Department of
Human Services (DHS) announces the availability of federal Temporary Assistance
to Needy Families (TANF) funds to be awarded in the form of grants for the
delivery of services to accomplish one or more of the following federal goals
of the TANF program:
·
Provide assistance to needy families so that
children may be cared for in their own homes or in the homes of relatives;
·
Reduce dependency of needy families on
government benefits by promoting job preparation, training, and employment;
·
Prevent and reduce out-of-wedlock births; and
·
Encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent
families.
DHS is responsible for
administering the TANF Program that transitions individuals from reliance upon
public assistance to self-sufficiency.
DHS invites your application for the Community Investment Program
through a competitive selection process of Request for Applications (RFA) utilizing
the TANF Block Grant as its source of funding. Priority will be given to
proposals that increase the likelihood of employment and self-sufficiency.
Community Participation
To further describe the 2016
focus of funds, the process for applying, and to answer applicant questions, a
community meeting will be held from 5:30-7 p.m. on Tuesday, September 8, 2015,
in Business Center Room B of the Workforce Center Building, 512 29 ½ Road, Grand
Junction, CO 81504. For additional information, contact Sara Tourney via email
(sara.tourney@mesacounty.us) or
phone (970.248.2831).
Anticipated Timetable
Request for Applications Issued September 1, 2015
Community meeting/open house September 8, 2015
Deadline for Application
Submissions September
30, 2015
Award Letters Sent October/November
2015
Grant Agreements executed November
2015
Funding Begins January
1, 2016
Application Review
Information
An Application Evaluation
Committee will be convened to review and evaluate applicant proposals. The
evaluation form is attached for your reference (Appendix A). Applicants will be
evaluated based on the following criteria:
·
Organizational Experience and Capacity
o
Describe your experience in delivering social service
programs and working with poor and vulnerable populations in the community. Explain
your capacity to plan and implement a sound program with adequate staffing,
partnerships, training, and technical assistance.
·
Program Design
o
Outline the significance, innovation, and
beneficial impact of the program to address the need or problem described in
the aforementioned section.
·
Outcomes and Performance Measures
o
Identify goals and objectives and link them to
specific measurements (indicators/factors) for program evaluation and
effectiveness in determining the overall impact of the program.
·
Monitoring and Evaluation
o
Describe how your agency will evaluate the success
of the program and how often the evaluation will take place.
Applications that meet the
requirements of this RFA will be rated against the criteria listed above on a
scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being most desirable.
A decision committee will review the applications and make the
determination as to which programs most closely identify with the goals of the
TANF program and the priorities of employment and self-sufficiency.
Award Announcement
The successful applicants will be
notified through the issuance of a notice of intended grant award. Applicants may not receive the full amount of
the funding request. The grant award and signing will be contingent upon the
size of the award.
Organizations whose applications
will not be funded will be notified in writing and be given an opportunity to
appeal the decision.
Reporting Requirements
Monthly Financial Report: A
financial status report is required to be submitted 15 days after the end of
each month to account for all expenditures to conduct the program.
Quarterly Performance Reports:
Awardees must submit a quarterly progress report to DHS within 30 days
after the end of each quarter. A detailed account of activities, program
success stories, promising approaches, and performance outcomes achieved.
Final Programmatic and Financial Reports: Grantees are required to
submit a closeout report to DHS 60 days after the close of the program
period. Includes a comprehensive
evaluation of the effectiveness of the program, whether the anticipated
outcomes were achieved, and any problems encountered and lessons learned.
Monitoring
Selected programs will be
monitored frequently by DHS Contract Manager, Sara Tourney. Monitoring may include a review of
eligibility documents, financial documents, and other as deemed necessary by
the contract manager.
Administrative Costs
As a general rule, administrative
costs for TANF funded services should be no more than fifteen (15) percent of
an entity’s total allocation. Special
permission to deviate above this standard must be substantiated in writing and
approved by DHS prior to the approval of any grant agreement. The examples
below should help illustrate the types of cost allocations that would generally
be considered to be administrative or non-administrative costs.
The cost of salaries and related
benefits should be calculated only for the percentage of time personnel works
on TANF-funded activities. For example,
a program director may be employed full time, but only 4 hours per week is
allocated for TANF-funded activities.
Only that portion of salary and benefits should be considered as an
allowable cost, not the entire salary.
The following are guidelines as to what is considered an administrative
cost:
Ø General
administration or coordination of program, including accounting and payroll
functions;
Ø Salaries
and indirect costs associated with performing administrative functions;
Ø Supplies,
equipment, travel, postage, utilities and office space related to the
administration of a program;
Ø Activities
related to eligibility determinations;
Ø Preparation
of program plan, budget and schedules; and
Ø Program
monitoring.
The following are guidelines as to what is considered a
non-administrative cost:
Ø Direct
cost of providing program services including client activities, assessment,
case management, etc.;
Ø Salaries
and indirect costs associated with performing services functions;
Ø Supplies,
equipment, travel, postage, utilities, and office space related to the
performing of services functions;
Ø Evaluations
and audits of service functions; and
Ø Technology/management
information systems not related to payroll, personnel or other administrative
functions.
The following are not generally
considered allowable costs under TANF, even if they are related to program operations:
Ø Inherently
religious activities
Ø Purchase
of vehicles
Ø Renovation,
construction or purchase of a building used for program operation
Ø Payment
of bad debts, or interest payments as a result of credit agreements
Ø Medical
services
Ø Purchase
of alcohol
Ø Any
clothing such as T-shirts
Ø Match
for other federal funds
Ø Lobbying
costs
Ø Penalties,
fines, etc.
Ø Replacement
of funds for existing programs
Friday, September 4, 2015
Colorado Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline Restored After CenturyLink’s Nationwide Phone Outage
CenturyLink has informed Mesa County that toll-free service has been restored to Colorado’s Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline (1-844-CO-4-KIDS). The outage, which impacted all toll-free numbers hosted by CenturyLink throughout the nation, resulted in callers to the hotline hearing erroneous, recorded messages that the number was no longer a working number.
We are pleased that this service is once again available throughout Mesa County and the state. The hotline, which was designed to provide one easy-to-remember phone number for reporting suspected child abuse and neglect, is an important tool for helping to keep the children of Colorado safe.
We are pleased that this service is once again available throughout Mesa County and the state. The hotline, which was designed to provide one easy-to-remember phone number for reporting suspected child abuse and neglect, is an important tool for helping to keep the children of Colorado safe.
Thursday, September 3, 2015
Child Abuse & Neglect 800 Hotline Out Nationally
Mesa County re-routes 800 number to
local hotline number
Mesa County
– Mesa County, Colorado and Nationally 800 numbers are experiencing a failure. Currently, our local hotline number 970 242 1211 is working. Calls will be handled promptly by local Child Abuse Hotline operators.
The Colorado State Hotline 1 844 CO 4 KIDS is not working. If Mesa County residents suspect Child Abuse or Neglect, please call the local number 970 242 1211. If the line is busy please leave a message and an Hotline operator will call you back.
Centurylink reports, network
engineers continue to work this toll free disruption at a critical level. As
soon as information becomes available on their troubleshooting it will be
provided.
Tuesday, September 1, 2015
GOVERNOR DECLARES SEPTEMBER AS WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT MONTH
|
|
Thursday, August 20, 2015
Looking for Businesses Needing Qualified Work Candidates
Looking for a Quality Employee?
On-the-Job
Training With the Mesa County Workforce Center
On-the-Job Training or OJT is a limited-duration
contract between an employer and the Mesa County Workforce Center, which
provides for the training of a new employee who is also a participant in the
Workforce Investment Act program.
Benefits to the employer:
- Reimbursement of the employee wage rate for a set
period of time (50% to 90%).
- Assessment screening of skill levels and work
values needed for the job.
- Worker receives the knowledge and skills
essential to needs of the employer.
How it works:
- Employer notifies Mesa County Workforce Center, 248-0866,
of interest in participating in an OJT program prior to hiring
applicant.
- The funding for this program requires an
eligibility process, which may take up to 1 week to complete. Please allow for this time frame.
Duration of OJT Agreement is determined by such
factors as:
- The occupation for which the employee is being
trained.
- The content of the training
- Prior work experience of the employee
- The available amount of grant funding from the
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act grant.
On-the-Job Training is an excellent opportunity for
employers to cultivate new, qualified employees while minimizing the cost of
training.
Contact Hollie VanRoosendaal at 248-0866, or Mark
Fugere at 248-0867 for more information.
*Not all
applicants referred by the employer or Mesa County Workforce Center may be
eligible for On-the-Job Training.
August is National Child Support Awareness Month
Mesa County Department of Human
Services (MCDHS) collects over $1 million dollars in child support each
month. This money goes directly to
support children in our community both emotionally and financially whether it’s
ensuring basic needs are met such as food, clothing and shelter or providing
financial support for participation in school activities or medical/dental
care. The child support system is critical
for building a better future for our young ones.
The mission of the Colorado Child Support Services
Program is to assure all children receive financial and medical support from
each parent. This is accomplished by
locating each parent, establishing paternity and support obligations, and
enforcing those obligations. The Child Support Services Program puts children first by helping both parents
assume responsibility for the economic and social well-being as well as the
health and stability of their children.
A recent
innovation in Colorado Child Support Services is mobile and electronic methods
of paying child support. The change has helped increase
the convenience, efficiency and timeliness of delivering financial support to
children. The new system has helped users make more than 5,000 payments
totaling nearly $2 million in child support, statewide.
Colorado
Child Support Services also has plans to begin an automated text messaging
notification system by the end of this month. The system is intended to
increase the effectiveness of child support enforcement correspondence by using
short text messages in lieu of phone calls to communicate with clients. Similar
systems implemented in other states have helped boost compliance with child
support enforcement
The
Mesa County Department of Human Services is committed to promoting the health
and well-being of all children by ensuring that non-custodial parents pay child
support on a regular and timely basis as agreed between the parents or ordered
by the courts.
“Children
rely on both parents for the financial and medical support they need to be
healthy and successful,” said Michelle Trujillo, Director of the Economic
Assistance Division at the Mesa County Department of Human Services. “Child Support provides the security for
children that they deserve, which is even more significant during recent
economic challenges and rising health care costs,” added Trujillo.
The
Mesa County Department of Human Services Child Support Team currently oversees
a caseload of over 6700 cases. For more
information on Child Support services administered through MCDHS
please
call 248-2780 or visit www.humanservices.mesacounty.us.
Monday, August 10, 2015
Gov. Hickenlooper Announces Boards and Commission Appointments
Gov. John Hickenlooper, recently
announced several State Boards and Commission appointments to the Strategic
Action Planning Group on Aging.
David Norman of Grand Junction,
Director of the Area Agency on Aging was appointed by Governor Hickenlooper and
will serve a two year appointment until August of 2017. Norman, a 41 year employee of Mesa County will serve
as a representative with extensive knowledge of and experience with state and
local budgets and fiscal policy. Norman also, represents local nonprofit
organizations that provide services to the aging population in Mesa County.
The Strategic Action Planning Group on
Aging studies and produces a comprehensive strategic action plan on aging in
Colorado through the year 2030. The planning group examines the impact, both
positive and negative, of the aging demographic shift on the economy,
workforce, businesses, market based products and services; Medicaid and other
safety-net programs.
“This
is an appropriate and prestigious appointment,” said Tracey Garchar,
Executive Director for the Mesa County Department of Human Services. “Dave is a
strong and knowledge advocate for our Senior population. His years of
experience will serve the State Strategic Action Planning Group on Aging, very
well.” added Garchar.
The Area Agency on
Aging were established under the Older Americans Act (OAA) in 1973 to respond
to the needs of Americans aged 60 and over in every local community. The AAA
plans, coordinates and offers services that help older adults remain in their
home, if that is their preference, aided by services such as Meals-on-Wheels,
homemaker assistance and other programs needed to make independent living a
viable option. By making a range of options available through contracts with
both public and private groups, the AAA makes it possible for older individuals
to choose the services and living arrangement that suit them best
“This
is an appropriate and prestigious appointment,” said Tracey Garchar,
Executive Director for the Mesa County Department of Human Services. “Dave is a
strong and knowledge advocate for our Senior population. His years of
experience will serve the State Strategic Action Planning Group on Aging, very
well.” added Garchar.
Thursday, August 6, 2015
Human Services Sends Second Welfare Fraud Case to DA for Prosecution this Week
The Mesa County Department of Human Services (MCDHS)
Fraud and Recovery Unit recently sent a suspected fraud case to the Mesa County
District Attorney’s office totaling over $42,104.88. The suspected fraud occurred from March 16,
2007 to March 16, 2015. Welfare Fraud investigators uncovered enough evidence
to allege the following:
Food Assistance: $20,958.00
Medicaid: $ 15,727.34
LEAP (Low Income Energy Assistance Program): $981.86
Admin Costs: $ 3,923.48
Additionally, this case had several other assistance
programs that were the victim of fraud and are associated with the
investigation:
1. School Lunch fraud. The USDA Food and
Nutrition Services/ National School Lunch Program is the victim on that portion
with a total of $514.20
The total recovery for the investigation is $42,104.88 (all victims)
Intentionally defrauding public assistance programs
consists of falsely reporting information on an application including household
composition, household resources or household income. Punishment includes
repayment of benefits issued and may result in a 1-year to lifetime ban from
receiving public assistance benefits and/or criminal prosecution.
“Knowingly providing false information on a public
assistance application in order to receive benefits is a crime and it is
something we take very seriously,” said Tracey Garchar, Executive Director for
the Mesa County Department of Human Services. “These benefits are in place for
people who are eligible and genuinely need them in order to help provide basic
needs for their family,” added Garchar.
If you or someone you know suspects welfare fraud, please
call the Mesa County Department of Human Services Welfare Fraud Hotline at (970) 256-2421.
Tuesday, August 4, 2015
Human Services Sends Welfare Fraud Case to DA for Prosecution
The Mesa County Department of Human
Services (MCDHS) Fraud and Recovery Unit recently sent a suspected fraud case
to the Mesa County District Attorney’s office totaling over $62,654.87. The suspected fraud occurred from January 1,
2011 to February 28, 2014. Welfare Fraud investigators uncovered enough
evidence to allege the following:
Food Assistance: $26,697.00
Medicaid: $ 8,470.11
Admin Costs: $ 968.79
Additionally, this case had several other assistance
programs that were the victim of fraud and are associated with the
investigation:
1. School Lunch fraud. The USDA Food and
Nutrition Services/ National School Lunch Program is the victim on that portion
with a total of $576.77
2. Rocky
Mountain Health Plans (Medicaid)fraud/ Rocky Mountain Health Plans is the
victim on that portion with a total of $24,348.61
3. Women
Infants and Children (WIC)/Women Infants and Children program is the victim on
that portion with a total of $1,593.593
The total recovery for the investigation is $62,654.87 (all victims)
Intentionally defrauding public assistance programs
consists of falsely reporting information on an application including household
composition, household resources or household income. Punishment includes
repayment of benefits issued and may result in a 1-year to lifetime ban from
receiving public assistance benefits and/or criminal prosecution.
“Knowingly providing false information on a public
assistance application in order to receive benefits is a crime and it is
something we take very seriously,” said Tracey Garchar, Executive Director for
the Mesa County Department of Human Services. “These benefits are in place for
people who are eligible and genuinely need them in order to help provide basic
needs for their family,” added Garchar.
If you or someone you know suspects welfare fraud, please
call the Mesa County Department of Human Services Welfare Fraud Hotline at (970) 256-2421.
Friday, July 31, 2015
15th Annual Caregivers Conference-Got Bounce.
Agenda For Caregivers Conference August 19, 2015
8:30 Registration
9:00am Opening Remarks
9:15-10:00am Brown & Brown
10:00-10:15 Break
10:15-11:30 Caregivers Conga(stroll vendor booths and see demonstrations)
11:30-1:00pm Keynote Luncheon Jane Barton Got Bounce
1:00-2:15pm Gift basket giveaways
Tuesday, June 30, 2015
Human Services Sends Welfare Fraud Case to DA for Prosecution
The
Mesa County Department of Human Services (MCDHS) Fraud and Recovery Unit recently
sent a suspected fraud case to the Mesa County District Attorney’s office
totaling over $$45,970.12. The suspected fraud
occurred between August 1, 2008 to October 31,
2013. Welfare
Fraud investigators uncovered enough evidence to allege the following:
Food Assistance:
$34,261.00
Medicaid
$ 8,710.16
LEAP
$
2,438.44
Admin
Costs $ 560.52
Additionally,
this case had School Lunch fraud associated with it. The USDA Food and
Nutrition Services/ National School Lunch Program is the victim on that portion
with is $831.26
The
total recovery for the investigation is 46,801.38 (all victims)
Intentionally defrauding public assistance
programs consists of falsely reporting information on an application including
household composition, household resources or household income. Punishment
includes repayment of benefits issued and may result in a 1-year to lifetime
ban from receiving public assistance benefits and/or criminal prosecution.
“Knowingly
providing false information on a public assistance application in order to
receive benefits is a crime and it is something we take very seriously,” said
Tracey Garchar, Executive Director for the Mesa County Department of Human
Services. “These benefits are in place
for people who are eligible and genuinely need them in order to help provide
basic needs for their family,” added Garchar.
If you or someone you know suspects welfare
fraud, please call the Mesa County Department of Human Services Welfare Fraud
Hotline at 256-2421.
Thursday, June 11, 2015
Foster Family Info Night
Mesa
County- Foster Care of Mesa County will host a foster care informational open
house, June 29, 2015 at Main Street Bagels.
Foster care families provide stability, protection and
a nurturing environment while a permanent plan is made for children and their
biological families.
Some of What Foster Parents do?
- Protect,
nurture, guide and provide unconditional love for the children in their
care
- Participate
as part of the professional team that works to meet the foster child’s
needs
- Provide
transportation for family visits and health appointments
“This is a great opportunity for anyone
to come and ask questions about being a foster parent and to talk to foster
parents about what it is like to foster. Hope to see you there!” said Connie Mercer, from Foster Care
of Mesa County.
Foster Family Informational Open House:
Date: Monday June 29
Time: 4:30 pm to 6:00
pm
Location: Main Street Bagels
(Vault room)
Address: 559 Main St, GJ
81501
Or call the
Foster Parent Information Line at 248-2794.
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