Thursday, December 10, 2015

Crossover Youth Practice Model Yields Recognition

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.

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.


Services Closed in Observance of Independence Day 2020

In observance of Independence Day, all Mesa County Department of Human Services offices will be closed on Friday, July 3. All offices wi...