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60C7521D6EE8F212872587D7007CBBF5 Hearing Summary




PUBLIC
BILL SUMMARY For SMART ACT PRESENTATION FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES

JOINT COMMITTEE COMMITTEE ON JOINT HEALTH
Date Jan 27, 2022      
Location Old State Library



SMART Act Presentation from the Department of Human Services - Committee Discussion Only


03:42:28 PM  
Michelle Barnes,
Executive Director, representing the Department of Human Services (DHS),
provided the Department of Human Services' SMART Government Act briefing.
Ms. Barnes reviewed information about the department and other offices
that would be presenting. Materials were distributed to the committee (Attachment
H).
03:50:49 PM  

Kevin Neimond, Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs - DHS, reviewed DHS' legislative agenda, regulatory agenda, and the department's budget related to stimulus funds. He continued by reviewing elements of the the department's performance management plan.

03:59:35 PM  

Yolanda Webb, Director, representing the Office of Adult, Aging, and Disability Services - DHS, presented to the committee.  provided an update on the State Unit on Aging, Adult Protective Services, and the Long-term Care and Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly Ombudsman. Director Webb discussed eligibility processing and determinations for disability programs. She provided an update on the Regional Center system, Veterans Community Living Centers, Mindsource, and the Colorado Commission for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deaf Blind. Ms. Webb responded to committee questions regarding the number of Ombudsman and COVID-19 infections in the Veterans Living Centers.

04:17:56 PM  

Liz Owens, Deputy Director, representing the Office of Behavioral Health (OBH), presented information regarding OBH. She discussed the implementation of the behavioral health administration. Ms. Owens highlighted the I Matter Program. She reviewed the updates required by state law on various programs, including workforce development, the medication consistency program, and the veterans suicide prevention pilot program.

04:30:21 PM  
Ms. Owens and Director Barnes responded to questions from the committee.
04:38:02 PM  

Minna Castillo Cohan, Director, Office of Children, Youth, and Families - DHS, presented to the committee. She discussed the Office of Youth Services and the Division of Child Welfare.

04:50:10 PM  
Ms. Castillo Cohen responded to questions from the committee.
04:54:59 PM  

Mary Alice Cohen, Director, representing the Office of Early Childhood - DHS, presented to the committee. She provided an update on the child care stabilization grants. She discussed the department's efforts to increase licensed child care capacity.

05:04:44 PM  
Ms. Cohen responded to questions from the committee.
05:13:53 PM  

Dr. Ki'i Powell, Director, represOffice of Economic Security, presented to the committee on the Office of Economic Security. She discussed the outreach partner application volume. She highlighted issues that working families have with securing reliable child care.

05:19:55 PM  
Carrie Heltzel, San
Luis Joint Interagency Oversight Group, testified to the committee about
her experience with DHS. Teresa Cantwell, Grand Futures Prevention Coalition,
testified to the committee about her experience with DHS. Dawn Sietz, Gunnison
County Collaborative Management Program, testified to the committee about
her experience with DHS. Sara Embrey, Jeffco Connections - Jefferson County
Collaborative Management Program, testified to the committee about her
experience with DHS. Maureen Welch, representing herself, testified to
the committee about her experience with DHS. Gertie Breffle, representing
Integrating Insight, submitted written testimony to the committee (Attachment
I). The panelists responded to questions from the committee.






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