What you need to know about effective dates and the Connect for Health Colorado attestation process this year

Did you apply for Health Care coverage through Connect For Health Colorado on or before midnight December 15, 2017, but have not yet enrolled in a Marketplace plan for 2018 coverage?  For those enrollments completed after midnight December 15, 2017, the effective date for coverage plans will default to February 1, 2018.

BUT, in limited circumstances, you may request to be considered for a January 1, 2018 coverage effective date once you are able to enroll.  Requests will be considered only for the following circumstances:

* Customer lost coverage and qualifies for a special enrollment period.

* Customer’s 2017 health plan is no longer offered.

* Agent or employee error.

* System outage or system error.

* A declared natural disaster.

* A delayed eligibility determination (when your application was submitted before midnight December 15).

* Marriage within the last 60 days.

If you need assistance with the attestation process to be considered for a January 1, 2018 coverage effective date, please contact a Broker or Assister by visiting the Connect For Health Colorado Get Help page at http://connectforhealthco.com/person-help/.

MISSING CHILD:

Jadahlen ("Jadah") Rocah DOB 12/3/04 (12 yrs old) went on the run from a Front Range group home she may have gotten a ride back to the Grand Junction area.

If you have any information please call law enforcement and the Mesa County Child Protection  Hotline 242-1211.

Area Agency on Aging & ADRC to host 17th Annual Caregiver’s Conference

The Write Tool at the Right Time

Mesa County, Co. — The 17^th Annual Caregiver’s Conference will be held on November 1st from 9:00am – 3:00pm at the Mesa County Workforce Center (512 29 ½ Rd GJ).  The registration fee is just $5 and includes lunch, speakers, vendors, demonstrations, and materials.

8:30-9:00-Registration 

9:00-9:45-Conversations about Life

9:45-10:30-Holistic Approach

10:45-11:45-Legal Checklist

11:45-12:30-Lunch-($5; vegetarian options available-ask when you RSVP dial 211)

12:30-1:15-Life Coach 

1:15-2:00-Mental Health First Aid

2:15-3:00-Tips and Tricks

Space is limited register EARLY!

Dave Norman, Director of the Area Agency on Aging of Western Colorado states, “This is a tremendous value, for a $5 registration fee.  Attendees will have access to vendors, lunch and speakers and hands on demonstrations.”

Space is limited to the first 150 registrants. To register, please call Western Colorado 211 by dialing 2-1-1. 

Councils on Aging Leadership Round-Up

Councils on Aging Leadership Round-Up

Four Colorado Regions to Meet in Grand Junction

Mesa County, Co. – Region 11 Area Agency on Aging (AAA) is hosting a Leadership Round-Up for residents across Western Colorado and are interested in what transpired during the 2017 Legislative Session, what new bills might be coming during the 2018 Legislative Session and info on Health Care legislation, as well as, info on livable senior communities in Western Colorado.

The Round-up will be held on August 25, 2017, at the Mesa County Workforce Center, 512 29 ½ Road, GJ. The event is open to the public, registration is required, dial 2-1-1 or (970) 244-8400.

Meeting Agenda

8:30am-9:00am          Registration

9:00am-9:15am          Opening remarks and introductions

9:15am-10:00am        AARP Western Slope Alliance--Livable Communities Proj-John Rodwick, Chair

10:00am-11:00am      CMU Health Care Panel Discussion-

11:00-11:45am            CLUB 20 Health Care Overview-Steve Childs, Pitkin County Commissioner

12:00pm-1:30pm        Luncheon Buffet-Luncheon-Keynote Bonnie Peterson, AGNC           

1:30pm-2:30pm          Area on Aging Regional Updates

·         Region 9- Durango-Christina Knoell

·         Region 10-Delta, Montrose, Gunnison-Eva Vetch

·         Region 11-Mesa, Garfield, Rio Blanco, Moffat, Routt-Dave Norman

·         Region 12-Pitkin, Eagle-Erin Fisher

2:30pm-3:30pm          Legislative Discussion-Rich Mauro-Denver Reg Council Of Gov. Sr. Lobby

·         Overview of Senior issues from 2017 Legislative Session

·         Emerging issues for the 2018 Legislative Session

·         Open Discussion

                                                                                      

 According to Dave Norman, Director Area Agency on Aging “This is a great opportunity for seniors, caregivers and anyone involved with senior issues to become educated on subjects ranging from health care to livable communities.” Norman continues, “The event is open to the public and will be very interactive. Participants will be able to ask questions and get answers to some very serious issues swirling around our community. “

NOTE: Colorado's Strategic Action Planning Group on Aging will hold its first "Conversations on Aging" in Grand Junction from 1 to 4 pm Thursday, August 24. The meeting will be in the Gunnison Room at the Two Rivers Convention Center.

Community Leaders to Proclaim June 2017 as National Adult Protection Awareness Month

Mesa County Department of Human Services (MCDHS) receives an average of over 100 new adult protection referrals each month.  Victims of adult abuse or neglect are at-risk adults age 18 or over who are unable to protect themselves due to age or disability.  These individuals are sometimes not aware of the resources in our community and often have no one else to protect them.

 Approximately 46% of the victims are over 70 years old and are physically impaired or have some form of dementia.  The younger at-risk adult victims are persons with physical or mental disabilities.  Abuse, exploitation, and neglect are caused by a member of the victim’s own family in a large percentage of cases. These residents are often vulnerable to assault, burglary, fraud and other crimes because they cannot provide for their own care and protection.

A schedule of recognition proclamations & events for June is as follows:

Mesa County Public Meeting June 20^th at 9am, Old Courthouse 3^rd floor Chambers

City of Fruita –June 21st, 7pm, Fruita City Hall

Annual Adult Protection Awareness Reception-Thursday June 15, DHS Room 1060 1:30-2:30pm

The Mesa County Department of Human Services is committed to advocating for people’s rights.  Senior citizens and persons with disabilities are vital members of our families, our society, and our community.  Historically, 1 in 5 cases of adult abuse is actually reported.  Adult abuse encompasses many different types of harms and can occur in the community, home or institutional settings. It is hoped that Mandatory Reporting will increase the number of referrals and provide greater safety for the older adults in our community.

For more information on suspected adult abuse and neglect please visit www.humanservices.mesacounty.us or call the Adult Protection Hotline at 248-2888, option 2.  Callers can remain anonymous if they so chose.

The 2nd Annual- Western Slope Celebration of Excellence

A celebration hard work and resilience

The Mesa County Child Welfare Department is hosting the 2^nd Annual Western Slope Celebration of Excellence.

This is a celebration of youth in foster care, DYC, Probation and School District 51 as they graduate. Some youth have been homeless or have been involved in the legal system. During the month of May, we recognize and celebrate the successes of these young people as they are graduating high school or receiving their GED.

The celebration is scheduled for Tuesday May 23, 2017 at the Mesa County Workforce Center from 4:00-6:00pm. 

"These young people have made tremendous strides to get this point in their lives.  It is time to recognize their hard work and resilience.  We are proud to honor them as they move into adulthood," said Kari Daggett, Child Welfare Permanency Manager, at the Mesa County Department of Human Services.

The keynote speaker will be R-5 Educator, Al Kreinberg. Kreinberg has over 25 years of experience working and inspiring youth.

Colorado Welfare Fraud Council Awards

Mesa County Deputy District Attorney, Holley Prosecutor of the Year

Mesa County, CO—The Mesa County Department of Human Services and Mesa County District Attorney’s Office are pleased to announce that a Deputy DA from the 21^st Judicial District has been awarded Prosecutor of the Year by the Colorado Welfare Fraud Council (CWFC).  Deputy District Attorney; George Holley is this year’s recipient of the prestigious award.

Mr. Holley has been with the District Attorney’s office for over 2 years and was nominated by Mesa County Department of Human Service’s

Investigator Matt Furphy.

With little-advanced notice, Mr. Holley took over and successfully prosecuted Mesa County’s first known welfare fraud jury trial resulting in 7 felony charges.

Furphy attributes Mr. Holley’s diligent work, enthusiasm, and teamwork with the Department of Human Services as the reason for the convictions. 

                                                           

Furphy described Holley in the following way:

“After speaking with me for the first time since the case was assigned to him from a previous DDA, DDA Holley essentially started the whole case from scratch with preparations, personally going out in the community to have affidavits notarized, contacting different sources (including a witness from the Secretary of State), putting numerous hours in to understand our rules/regulations and also creating the presentations for his prosecution.  From what I observed, he barely had time to eat lunch because he was working so hard to try and make this case successful.

During the course of the jury trial, DDA Holley displayed his knowledge of the law, had to set the judge straight on rulings multiple times and had to counteract multiple defense objections. DDA Holley also involved me with ensuring he was on the correct path with Food Assistance, TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, Medical Assistance and LEAP (Low-Income Energy Assistance Program) rules.

 “DDA Holley does outstanding work for us here in the District Attorney’s Office, he is truly deserving of this statewide recognition.” said Mesa County District Attorney, Dan Rubinstein.

 Prosecutor of the Year award recognizes an individual who has made an outstanding contribution and/or shown excellence in the prosecution of welfare fraud.

The Colorado Welfare Fraud Council (CWFC) is a non-profit statewide organization comprised of city, county, state, and federal employees who work in some capacity
with the various public assistance programs available to people in Colorado.  The members are dedicated to the detection and prevention of fraud in all public assistance
programs.