Colorado General AssemblyToggle Main Menu
Agency NameToggle Agency Menu

943FC9DE51BC044B872587E6006517EF Hearing Summary




PUBLIC
BILL SUMMARY For CHILD WELFARE FUNDING AND THE FEDERAL FAMILIES FIRST ACT PRESENTATION

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC & BEHAVIORAL HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Date Feb 11, 2022      
Location HCR 0112



Child Welfare Funding and the Federal Families First Act Presentation - Committee Discussion Only
11:24:15 AM  

Heather Durosko, County Human Service Director’s Association, presented to the committee on child welfare funding and the Federal Families First Act. She reviewed information in a powerpoint presentation (Attachment B).  She provided a copy of a letter sent by the Colorado Human Services Directors Association and Colorado Counties, Inc. to the Department of Human Services and Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (Attachment C).  Ms. Durosko discussed aspects of the federal Families First Prevention Services Act.  She reviewed the recommendations of the Behavioral Health Transformational Task Force. She continued discussing placements outside the home and qualified residential treatment programs.
11:38:58 AM  
Jamie Ulrich, County
Human Service Director’s Association, discussed three cases involving
the child welfare system that resulted in the children being removed from
the home and the process for placing children in qualified residential
treatment programs. She discussed the county grant opportunities provided
by Senate Bill 21-137, concerning the "Behavioral Halth Recovery Act
of 2021."
11:52:15 AM  

Ms. Durosko and Ms. Ulrich responded to questions from the committee.

Benjamin Teevan, Fostering Colorado and Colorado Association of Family and Children's Agencies (CAFCA), responded to questions from the committee. In response to committee questions, Ms. Ulrich and Ms. Durosko discussed matters related to workforce issues and the group home environments.
12:21:53 PM  
Ms. Durosko and Mr. Teevan continued to respond to questions from the committee.
12:23:01 PM  
Heidi Baskfield,
Children’s Hospital Colorado, presented to the committee on the difference
in experiences between a pediatric physical health issue versus a pediatric
mental health issue. She discussed the implementation of the Behavioral
Health Administration. Ms. Baskfield responded to questions from the committee.
She discussed the physical environment for pediatric mental health patients
at Children's Hospital Colorado. Ms. Baskfield responded to additional
questions from the committee.
12:41:27 PM  

Becky Miller Updike, Fostering Colorado and CAFCA, presented to the committee about CAFCA and its members. She discussed issues related to capacity, workforce, and COVID-19 and their impact on mental health services for children. Ms. Miller Updike discussed the need in Colorado to build a continuum of care for mental health services for children and youth.
12:47:23 PM  
Mr. Teevan presented to the committee about prior legislation to assist foster children and the implementation of the federal Families First Act.
12:52:45 PM  
The panelists responded to questions from the committee.






Colorado legislature email addresses ending in @state.co.us are no longer active. Please replace @state.co.us with @coleg.gov for Colorado legislature email addresses. Details

The effective date for bills enacted without a safety clause is August 7, 2024, if the General Assembly adjourns sine die on May 8, 2024, unless otherwise specified. Details