Jeffco contracts with Tennyson Center for Children
To prevent out-of home placement and help reunite children with their families, the Board of County Commissioners approved additional money for its contract with the Tennyson Center for Children at Colorado Christian Home in Denver. The Jefferson County Division of Children, Youth and Families has contracted with the Tennyson Center for several years. This year, because of an increased demand from families in need of the center's services, the division requested a $70,000 increase in the 2009 contract, bringing the total contract to $350,000. For more than 100 years, the Tennyson Center for Children has provided residential, day-treatment, education and community-based services for abused, neglected and at-risk children. Go to www.childabuse.org to learn more about the Tennyson Center for Children at Colorado Christian Home. |
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Citizen Budget Review Panel presents recommendations to Jeffco Commissioners
The Jefferson County Citizen Budget Review Panel presented their recommendations, including the creation of a Major Building Capital Reserve Account to fund large capital projects, to the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners at its Staff Briefing Tuesday, Aug. 18. Earlier this year, Commissioners appointed the 15-member committee and asked it to conduct an independent review of how the county should address more than $277 million in projected construction, equipment and maintenance costs through 2013. With the Commissioners' unanimous vote to accept the recommendations, Jefferson County staff will do an analysis of the recommendations and present them for final vote by the Commissioners this fall. The 2010 budget is expected to be adopted in December. To read more about the panel's recommendations, click here. |
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Jeffco recognizes National Child Support Month on Aug. 25
To commemorate the success of Jefferson County's Child Support Program, including the collection of more than $2.63 million each month, the Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to recognize National Child Support Month on Tuesday, Aug. 25.
Child Support Enforcement held an Open House on Aug. 25, where people learned about establishing paternity, changing and enforcing support orders, and participated in mini-workshops, fatherhood programs and other community services.
The child support program serves 13,000 families by enforcing medical insurance coverage and collecting child support. At the annual Colorado Family Support Conference in January, Jefferson County was recognized as the Most Improved County for consistent support paid and consistent support paid in cases among multiple states. Child Support Enforcement also recently launched a Fatherhood Initiative to encourage personal accountability and responsibility among fathers. For more information about the Jefferson County Child Support Enforcement program, go to click here. |
 Jeffco Workforce Development Division Update
Young, unemployed residents to have new opportunities, thanks to grant
The Jefferson County Workforce Center, along with Red Rocks Community College and Golden Urban Renewal, will create a Work Training Experience program with the goal to provide jobs for unemployed residents. County Commissioners approved the use of $179,500 in Community Services Block Grant-Recovery (CSBG-R) funds to fund the program.
 The three grantees that received funding for the program have committed to create 33 jobs for unemployed residents, ages 17 to 24. The Workforce Center, a Workforce Investment Act and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families operator, will use its services in connecting employers to job seekers for internships and on-the-job training for the program.
Earlier this year, states received CSBG money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to distribute to eligible organizations. Colorado received $8.7 million.
Jeffco to create program to break cycle of poverty
The Board of County Commissioners approved a contract between the Jefferson County Workforce Center and the Colorado Department of Human Services to launch the Employer of Choice Initiative, a program designed to help low-income families overcome the barriers they face when trying to keep jobs. Those barriers include finding affordable, quality child care and reliable transportation.
The Workforce Center received a $292,250 grant from the Colorado Department of Human Services' Statewide Strategic Use Fund. Through the Employer of Choice Initiative, Jefferson County will work with employers to assess their needs, connect with nonprofits and training providers, and develop positions for case managers who will link participating employers to eligible employees. The program replicates The SOURCE model, a successful initiative out of Grand Rapids, Mich., that helps low-income people maintain employment and move into economic self-sufficiency. |
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Other BCC Actions
Kerr Gulch Road Retaining Wall and Improvements
County Commissioners gave permission to the Jefferson County Division of Highways and Transportation to negotiate the acquisition of land needed to construct a new retaining wall on Kerr Gulch Road, about 1,100 feet southeast of High Road near Kittredge. The acquisition also would allow the county to improve the curve visibility there. Construction would begin in 2009 or 2010.
McIntyre Outfall at Swamp Angel Detention Basin
County Commissioners approved a grant agreement between Jefferson County and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that will give the county $959,100 to make improvements to the McIntyre Outfall at Swamp Angel Detention Basin, east of Golden. The improvements, including the expansion of Swamp Angel Pond to a regional stormwater detention facility, will reduce flooding on McIntyre Street and properties east of there during major storms. The grant from the EPA will replace the money the county had already budgeted for the project.
Hildebrand Ranch Park
County Commissioners approved a $313,635 contract with J2 Contracting Company, of Greeley, to build a paved parking lot at Hildebrand Ranch Park near Chatfield State Park. The project, which is expected to be completed in November, includes the creation of 52 parking spaces, including three for people with disabilities and four spots for horse trailers, and the construction of concrete walkways. | |
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