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

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.

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.

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 

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.

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.

Mesa County Workforce Center Receives Designation

Mesa County- The Mesa County Workforce Center has been officially designated by Governor John Hickenlooper as a Local Workforce Development Area.  In accordance with Federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and the Colorado Workforce Development Council, Mesa County demonstrated its ability to achieve this regional status by meeting all the criteria required by federal law and state policy. The designation means the Workforce Center no longer operates as part of the Colorado Rural Workforce Consortium.

“This designation will continue to allow us to quickly meet the needs of the local business community while remaining an important partner in economic development,” said Suzie Miller, Business Services Manager with the Mesa County Workforce Center.

The Mesa County Workforce Center achieved this designation due to years of impressive performance in building relationships with the business community, helping people find jobs, and assisting people in addressing barriers.

            According to the Mesa County Human Services Director, Tracey Garchar, “The Mesa County Workforce Center being designated as our own region is a different opportunity to continue to do what we have done in the past. We will still work with the State, but we won’t be part of the Rural Consortium, which is the network of rural workforce centers. We will continue with a genuine focus and value on the success of the people in our community.  As a Local Workforce Development Area we will be able to fully build and strengthen our services with business, education, and economic development efforts to meet the needs of Mesa County.”

 Mesa County has effectively been operating the Mesa County Workforce Center since 1998 as an integrated One Stop Shop for business and job seekers. This designation will strengthen the collaborations with business, industry, secondary and higher education.