1 JEFFERSON COUNTY Department of Human Services 2013-2014 Annual Report Letter From the Board of County Commissioners It is a great pleasure to present to you Jefferson County Department of Human Services’ Annual Report. As you read through this report you will see that this was a challenging yet rewarding year for us. Although revenues have declined the demand for services has increased. We have maximized and stretched every dollar and we delivered quality services during the most difficult of times. As County Commissioners we believe we should work to improve the quality of life throughout Jefferson County by lowering barriers and increasing and enhancing services for those in need. Our work in the community especially during this very difficult recession has been critical to meet the needs of so many of our residents. We are proud that our Human Services Department has partnered with faith based organizations, non-profit agencies and businesses and together they have maximized services through innovative cutting edge practices. We have a commitment to excellence. We expect visionary leadership and strong partnerships. We expect wise stewardship of the taxpayer dollars and we believe we are meeting these expectations, especially during these difficult times. I believe you will enjoy reading this report and you will also be proud of the work being done to ensure Jefferson County is the best place to live and to raise a family. Sincerely, Faye Griffin, Chair Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners 2 3 Letter from Lynn Johnson Executive Director, Department of Human Services I am proud to present the Jefferson County Department of Human Services 2013-2014 Annual Report. My original purpose of doing an annual report was to be completely transparent about our spending and our services to the Jefferson County community. Yet, when I reviewed this year's report I noticed that it also told a story about very difficult times during a hard hitting recession. We continue to hear that the recession is over but those of us in the helping professions have not yet seen a reduction in need, in hunger, in fear of abuse or neglect or in poverty. We continue to serve every day to see a positive impact. That is what I saw in this Annual Report. Impact is not about what we do, how many people we serve, how long we’ve been in existence or how far our service area reaches. It is about whether we achieved positive change and whether or not it lasts. Impact does not happen by accident but through dedication and rigorous attention to high standards. That is why I am proud of this annual report. This report shows that we are not just collaborating with our partner agencies, non-profits, faith based organizations and businesses but that we are beginning to move from collaboration to partnering to truly integrating. There has been a convergence of energy in Jefferson County moving towards a positive impact for people never seen before. There has been a convergence to enhance services and to eliminate duplication. There has been a convergence to streamline systems and to become more efficient. There has been a convergence to be innovative and to tackle difficult issues. This convergence is transformative, ensuring that Jefferson County is the best place to live and to raise a family. People are front and center and systems see faces not cases. It is an honor to be part of a Jefferson County team that truly makes a difference for those living in this County. This Annual Report helps tell this story of a community committed to taxpayers, to individuals, to families and to our entire community. Thank you for helping us have an impact. Sincerely, Lynn A. Johnson Executive Director 3 4 Table of contents Introduction Letter From the Board of County Commissioners .......................... 2 Letter from Lynn Johnson, Executive Director ............................... 3 Mission, Vision, Values, Culture and Staff...................................... 5 Integrated Services Chart ............................................................... 6 Program areas Adult Protection and Senior Services ............................................. 7 Employment Services .................................................................. 10 Family and Children ..................................................................... 14 Food, Health, and Financial Assistance ........................................ 22 Housing Assistance ...................................................................... 27 Justice Services ........................................................................... 29 Veterans Services ........................................................................ 32 Conclusion Financial Overview ....................................................................... 34 Divisions ...................................................................................... 36 Thank you .................................................................................... 38 Directory .........................................................................Back Cover 4 5 Mission Mission, Jefferson County Department of Human Services will employ the most talented professionals to Vision, Values provide opportunities for our residents to be self-reliant and to protect individuals and the community from harm. Employer of Choice Vision Jefferson County Department of Human Services is committed • We will collaborate to provide a wide-range to being an Employer of Choice, an organization where of integrated services to meet diverse employee actions are directly aligned with customer success, community needs employees feel appreciated and valued for their hard work, and where employee contributions are acknowledged and rewarded. • We will be the employer of choice for This direction focuses on encouraging staff to join, well-trained professionals stay, perform, and adapt in the organization. At an individual • We will provide excellent service throughout level it means providing solutions that empower people to our organization with dignity and respect reach their fullest potential in an independent and sustainable way. At an organizational level it’s about generating a healthy community by collaborating to overcome challenges and Values create innovative solutions that make a difference for the • Service First residents of Jefferson County. • Well-Trained Leaders Throughout Culture of Inclusivity • Professional Excellence • Open Communication Jefferson County Culture of Inclusivity is driven by the talents of many and the uniqueness of all. As an inclusive • Fiscal Responsibility agency, Human Services has built inclusive values into every • Inclusiveness aspect of the agency. For over six years, Human Services • Transparency has committed time and resources to staff and programs in the area of inclusivity and is committed to fully supporting, actively participating in, and contributing to achieving inclusive goals and objectives. Inclusivity is a value that is shared by all staff as they are expected, as part of their performance, to provide all people who walk through the doors with dignity and respect. 5 6 Jefferson County Department of Human Services Cross-program and Cross-system Practices and Services We are committed to doing things differently and improving the agency’s effectiveness. The utilization of cross-program and cross-system practices and services creates an outcome based approach pictured below. This outcome based approach is shaped by customers and follows their ideas of success. To drive this cultural shift, cross community engagement and full integration of services is essential. DER COLLABO KEHOL RATI STA ONS State Departments Jefferson and Boards County State Commissioners Legislature and Administration RATED SER TEG VIC IN ES Food Human Assistance Governor's Services Staff Office Senior Financial Services Assistance CUSTOMER Human Advocates Housing Health Services and Community Assistance Benefits Customers Partners Veterans Family and State and Faith-based Federal Funding Services Children Streams Organizations Employment Services System Colorado Navigators Counties Businesses 6 7 Adult Protection and Senior Services 931 The number of at-risk adult abuse, neglect or explotation reports that Jefferson County responded to in 2013. Over 175 The number of participants who attended Jefferson County's 4th annual Aging Well Summit in 2013. 7 8 Adult Protection and Senior Services Adult Protection provides services to prevent, reduce, or eliminate the current or potential risk of mistreatment, exploitation, or self- neglect to the at-risk adult (age 18 and older) using community based services, health care services, family and friends when appropriate, and other support systems. Adult Protective Services receives reports from a variety of resources (neighbors, law enforcement, etc.) and determines the need for an investigation or assessment as mandated by the state. In 2013, Jefferson County responded to 931 reports of at-risk adult abuse, neglect or exploitation. Jefferson County Proclamation for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, Adult Protective Services made great strides in 2013 to connect June 15, 2013. and collaborate with the District Attorney, local police authorities and jails. Conversations and cross training took place between agencies resulting in a better understanding of how to handle cases involving seniors with dementia. Often, inappropriate behavior from seniors with dementia can land them in jail, which is not in the best