BUILDING a community of
HOPE 2018 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
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HOPE FOR THE FUTURE help when you need it
The Boulder County Department of Housing and Human Services (BCDHHS) is a 500-person, integrated services delivery organization that is focused on supporting both individuals and whole families. In the ten years since merging our Housing and Human Services departments, we have demonstrated the value of this integrated work. In an average 12 months, we now serve more than 90,000 people across Boulder County with a wide range of wrap-around services, including food, housing, health coverage, child care, safety, education and skill building, parenting supports, and much more.
BUILDING A THRIVING COMMUNITY Working locally, scaling regionally, influencing nationally Over the past decade, we have deepened our expertise in addressing complex systems issues in our unique community. Our roots are deep in our communities, helping us respond with flexibility and tailored supports that our neighbors want and need. We also know that most issues do not stop at county lines, so we partner with and learn alongside regional stakeholders on shared challenges including housing affordability, child safety, and homelessness. Our deep connection with our community ensures that when we scale solutions to the regional level, that they are effective, efficient, and inclusive. We know that this coordinated work not only drives our systems forward at the local and state levels, but can also can also help inform national systems and policies. Leaders and policymakers at the federal level are increasingly seeking our input because they recognize the value and positive outcomes of investing resources in prevention-based integrated service delivery across a wide range of supports at the local level.
Moving from collaborating to building together We are proud to work alongside a network of expert collaborators and partners across Boulder County. Our partners, including our clients, community healthcare organizations, schools, family resource centers, non-profits, town councils, neighborhood associations, and engaged citizens, are critical in every aspect of building a thriving community. This inspires us to go beyond collaboration: we design systems, build common infrastructure, evaluate the effectiveness of our services, and decentralize supports until every door in our partner network opens as part of a community hub that delivers the right supports at the right time.
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OUR PRIORITIES BUILDING COMMUNITY, EMPOWERING PEOPLE, STRENGTHENING FAMILIES Immediate Priority: Focus on High Acuity Populations
Build and invest in integrated, community-based supports to serve vulnerable members of our community who are most at risk for expensive and debilitating crisis in the future.
Immediate and Long Term Priority: Increase Affordable Housing Capacity
Implement a regional housing plan that leverages partnerships across the state to build integrated supports to stably house individuals within our community, while increasing the diversity of options and capacity of housing regionally.
Intermediate and Long Term Priority: Reduce Institutional Services Utilization
Decrease institutionalization rates across detention, placement, incarceration, and homelessness by investing in prevention and early intervention strategies that focus on integrated service delivery to keep problems from escalating in the future.
Intermediate and Long Term Priority: Service Integration and Implementation
Develop a department and community-wide agile, responsive, personcentered human service delivery model of care that is designed to support families in achieving long-term sufficiency wherever they are.
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OUR PHILOSOPHY
PREVENTIVE
whole-person, whole-family
SUPPORTS
We address root causes of crisis and instability in the Social Determinants of Health For all of us, health and well-being are central to living well and having a good quality of life. Where we are born, the quality of our schools, the safety of our communities, the availability of jobs, and the levels of stress on ourselves, our families, and our colleagues are among the many factors that impact our health from a young age through adulthood. These are the Social Determinants of Health, and they help inform the services that BCDHHS provides. Because these determinants interact, we integrate our services to ensure each person gets the full range of supports they need to thrive. Every support we provide is one piece of a larger interconnected whole.
We emphasize prevention and early intervention Our focus is on getting services to those in need as early as possible to strengthen families and boost health and well-being. When a family or individual shows signs of distress, we provide a range of supports and services to avoid more difficult and costly crises later. Experience and research are clear that when delivered with a preventive focus, these supports can avert crisis, help people thrive, and achieve a greater return on investment. Social Determinants of Health Framework Service areas for thriving communities
Employment and Income Stability Food and Nutrition
Housing Stability
Health and Well-Being
Safety
Environmental Health
We are bringing 26 new affordable homes to the Nederland community
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Education and Skill Building
We serve the whole family in an integrated way Research is also clear that the well-being of parents and caregivers impacts their children, and when children are thriving, this has a positive impact on parents. We keep the whole family in mind when we deliver supports and services—this is known as the “Two-Generation” or “whole family” approach. We deliver preventionfocused supports based on the Social Determinants of Health across generations to strengthen whole families and communities. By nature, this approach prompts services integration, helps ensure the outcomes of our work are sustained over the long-term, and creates resilience and cycles of opportunity for families.
childfocused
child-focused with parent elements parenting skills or family literacy
whole family
parent-focused with child elements child care subsidies or food assistance
parentfocused
We listen to our neighbors Our neighbors are the very heart of our work—they are the people who form our community, and with whom we work toward a better future. Our neighbors are determined, inspiring, real people building a better future for themselves, their children, and our community. Their stories offer insight into the impact of health, housing, and human services supports, and hope for the future of our community.
Numbers of neighbors served by Social Determinant area
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OUR PROGRESS FOCUS ON HIGH ACUITY
We are focused on proactively building integrated, community-based supports to serve vulnerable members of our community who are most at risk for expensive and disruptive crisis in the future.
We focus on high acuity populations and emphasize prevention in the following ways:
Building Healthy Communities by Promoting Health Coverage and Child Care In Boulder County, we work hard to improve health for all members of our community by linking all eligible children, adults, and families with the benefits and health coverage available through Health First Colorado, Colorado’s Medicaid program. The result of this work is significant: our neighbors now have access to health insurance, allowing them to get free preventive care and access to important early interventions which can help keep illnesses from worsening into crises. Our Healthy Kids and Adults program supports families from within their communities, helping them navigate the complexities of health insurance and connecting them with other prevention-focused supports. And our Boulder County Assistance Site team works to connect people with a range of health coverage supports through Connect for Health Colorado. As a result, just over 4% of the Boulder County population is now uninsured. We supplement state funding for the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) in Boulder County so more parents can work or look for a job, and more young children can get the quality early care they deserve. Together, all these supports significantly reduce risk for our neighbors.
96%
of RESIDENTS
in Boulder County are now covered by health insurance
1,400
CHILDREN
received quality childcare in Boulder County through CCAP in 2017
“After my daughter was born, she was in the NICU for 76 days.
That was a pretty scary thing for a parent and I can’t imagine how scary it would have been with the looming thought of medical bills. ” -Cherri, Health First Colorado and CCAP participant
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“ I think that asking for help was the hardest thing for me because
I thought that it was like asking for money. But you really just need help finding resources and you need help communicating with different people that know different people.
It’s all about connection.”
-Mike, Boulder County Responsible Payers participant
Building New Approaches to Child Support that Focus on the Whole Family We are taking an innovative approach to child support by addressing high acuity needs and shifting our focus toward prevention. Rather than emphasizing punishment, our child support programs—including the Responsible Payers Program—seek to understand and address the reasons why parents are struggling to support themselves and their families. In partnership with the court, BCDHHS staff collaborate with noncustodial parents to connect them to job training, financial coaching, housing supports, and much more. This program, which reflects our overall philosophy of collaboration with our neighbors, is increasing both the timeliness and amount of payments going to support children in our community.
70% FULL
CHILD SUPPORT paid on time by parents voluntarily participating in the Responsible Payers Program (compared to 20% on program entry)
Photos by Geneva Z. Bailey
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BUILDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING We are facing a crisis around access to safe, stable, and affordable housing in Boulder County. To address this, we are implementing an innovative regional housing plan that leverages partnership across the state to build integrated supports to stably house individuals within the community, and increase the diversity of housing options to promote family well-being. We are building affordable housing capacity and diversity in the following ways:
Building New Affordable Neighborhoods and Nurturing Communities We prioritize affordable housing because data clearly demonstrate that it has tremendous, broad, and positive impacts on the health of entire communities. The Kestrel community, our newest affordable multi-generational development, was successfully completed (and quickly filled) in 2017. Kestrel’s 200 affordable workforce and senior homes are leased to local, low and moderate income residents and families. The community has been recognized at the municipal and federal levels for its forward-looking approach to expanding access to affordable housing, and for its environmentally sustainable design. Kestrel Grand Opening Celebration | May 1st, 2018
33%
INCREASE
in affordable housing stock in Louisville alone due to Kestrel Kestrel, our newest community located in Louisville, opened in April of 2017 and includes 200 affordable homes, 71 of which are specifically designated for residents 55 years old or older and their caregivers.
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UNIQUE 8
floor plans
UTILITIES included
$
VERY LOW
security deposit
FREE
Eco Pass
21 OUTSIDE
gathering spaces
Building a Vision for Affordable Housing Regionally We are part of a local collaborative of community partners, government agencies, and non-profit leaders that participated in the creation and adoption of a Regional Housing Strategy. Under this plan, local jurisdictions and partners working together in the public and private sectors are prioritizing the development and preservation of diverse and affordable housing options. Over the 15 year implementation phase of the regional strategy, collaborators will implement a variety of activities to ensure that 12% of the region’s total housing stock is permanently affordable by 2035...a tripling of affordable housing across Boulder County. Regional Community Goal for Affordable Housing
12% GOAL
12,000
6,000
Affordable Homes Currently
+
Additional Affordable Homes Supported by Regional Housing Partnership
=
18,000
Total Affordable Homes by 2035
Architectural Renderings of Affordable Neighborhood | Coffman Street, Longmont
ONLY 5% OF EXISTING housing in Boulder County is considered affordable
“ Housing affordability is a significant issue across Boulder County now, and
we’re working to address it collaboratively in a long-term, sustainable way. ” -Mayor Bob Muckle, Louisville
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“I always battled with depression and got in to substance abuse to battle that depression. But whenever I felt like couldn’t do it any more,
I just imagined what Landon would think growing up believing I didn’t want to be around him.” -Heather, Boulder County EIP participant
REDUCING INSTITUTIONAL SERVICES UTILIZATION Individuals and families thrive and achieve their aspirations by receiving support in the community. We are committed to continuing to reduce the need for detention, out-of-home placement, incarceration, and homelessness by investing in early intervention and prevention strategies that keep problems from escalating. We are reducing institutional service utilization in the following ways:
Building Early to Keep Families Together and Thriving When it comes to keeping children safe, it is critical to act early. Part of developing an early intervention approach to child welfare is building programs that support families exhibiting signs of distress or risk. When a family is struggling, but does not yet meet the threshold for actual safety concerns, we proactively address the root causes of crisis, providing supports and services that are tailored to that family’s unique set of circumstances and challenges. BCDHHS staff build relationships with families through supports such as the Early Intervention Program (EIP) in order to offer the best, most tailored supports. Our flexible approach allows us to meet a family where they are and have a better chance of preventing more acute crisis. All of these activities support the goal of keeping families together. Research and experience demonstrate that our community is more successful when we strengthen families and individuals.
1,934
CHILD WELFARE
referrals were sent through Family Assessment Response (collaborative, whole-family support) by Boulder County in FY 2018
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423
CHILDREN
stayed in their homes, receiving prevention-focused child welfare services in Boulder County in FY 2017
Building Stronger Families in Partnership with the Justice System The Family Integrated Treatment Court (FITC) is a collaborative effort between justice, treatment, and social services organizations in Boulder County. This group comes together with the goal of stabilizing families impacted by drugs and alcohol abuse, ensuring the protection of children and the preservation of families. The FITC partnership coordinates substance abuse and therapeutic interventions and provides consistent court interaction with a focus on accountability and community support to break the cycle of addiction, child maltreatment, and crime in future generations. FITC is comprised of a team of dedicated professionals who see the hope and promise in each parent who decides to join the program. The team is committed to working together to support parents, to support parents, holding them accountable for their choices and providing them a clear path forward to successful reunification.
“ Shifting the focus to family and away from punishment put the emphasis on reunification with my son
and opened up doors that would not be available on the criminal side of the court. � -Victor, Boulder County FITC participant
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INTEGRATED SERVICE DELIVERY We are focused on developing an agile, responsive, personcentered human service delivery model of care that is designed to support families in achieving long-term selfsufficiency. Truly integrated service delivery means working with our partners to design and implement a communitywide system that includes ongoing collaboration, datasharing, a common method of practice, and a shared vision for building a thriving community. We are integrating service delivery in the following ways:
Building Financial Independence for Self-Sufficiency A critical component of self-sufficiency for every member of our community is the ability to earn a living and manage money in a sustainable way. Building financial security is a big project and—for everyone—requires the support of an integrated network of experts, community partners, institutions and service providers. BCDHHS staff work with multiple partners to help our neighbors access helpful financial resources, education, and organizations.
2,780 HOURS
of Personal Finance Coaching provided to neighbors by Boulder County in 2017
Boulder County’s team of staff financial coaches connects with neighbors to offer individualized support through the Personal Finance Program. Coaches work with individuals and families to create a financial plan that focuses on building credit, creating good habits, and learning how to save for the future. As families and individuals are building good financial habits, Workforce Boulder County (WfBC) is connecting our neighbors to training, support, and employment opportunities so that they can achieve meaningful careers and self-sufficiency. As neighbors are earning income and practicing good financial habits, they are able to access the critical support of financial institutions though Bank On Boulder County—a partnership between banks, credit unions, community organizations and Boulder County that offers low-cost checking accounts and extra customer service to support individuals on the path to long-term financial stability.
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“ We received so many supports from Boulder County for the kids—including WIC, CCAP, and Medicaid.
Our team of case managers were always there, even just for emotional support.” -Tasha, Boulder County adoptive parent
Building a Network of Partners in Communities Across Boulder County The Family Resource Network (FRN) is a collaborative of experts— including service providers and past service participants—in communities across Boulder County that are working together to best serve local families and their children. Members of the FRN are co-creating a service delivery model that is rooted in their communities and informed by collaborative expertise. Connecting family resource organizations with each other amplifies and elevates what they each have to offer. Just like BCDHHS, members of the Family Resource Network utilize the Boulder County Connect (BCC) online client portal to refer families, access services, complete assessments, and ensure that individuals and families receive timely, tailored support from multiple human services organizations across the county. BCC is an award-winning web-based portal for BCDHHS clients to use to manage their supports, learn about other resources, and connect with partners when they have questions or need additional help. BCC is designed to be responsive, personalized, transparent, and data-driven, and to offer a variety of opportunities to connect with our neighbors.
Check Out Our New Online Supports Management Site!
Boulder County
Family Resource Network
24/7 ACCESS
to information
5,000+ USERS TO DATE
Use Boulder County Connect to: • • •
Manage your supports Upload important documents, saving you time and trips to our office Learn about new programs and other resources offered throughout our community
www.BoulderCountyConnect.org
Live chat with a specialist!
CHAT LIVE
with technician
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OUR SERVICES IN THE MOST RECENT 12 MONTHS BCDHHS OVERSAW: Partnership Spotlight
5,149
Child Welfare Referrals
27,000
1,100
1,500
Food Assistance Households with Homeless Adults (SNAP) Clients Housing Assistance Coordinated Entry Screenings
$7.5M
in Child Care Assistance Benefits
1,433
Adult Protection Referrals
80,775
People Served with Health First Colorado & CHP+
1,460
Personal Finance Sessions & Parent Home Visits
Supports Received by Neighbors Across Boulder County Lyons Longmont
Jamestown
Ward
Boulder
Erie
Lafayette Nederland Louisville
Superior
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Health First Colorado and Child Health Plan Plus
Child Welfare Referrals
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
Housing Assistance
TANF Child-Only
Education and Skill Building
c+58+30
Boulder County Department of Housing & Human Services 2018 Budget 2018 Budgeted Expenses by Program
$57,825,506
$50M
$28,925,343
$25M
$0
Human Services
27%
Human Services Child Welfare/Family & Children Services: $15,660,761
21%
Eligibility & Case Management: $12,001,813
8%
CO Works: $4,718,626
5%
Juvenile Assessment, Services & Diversion: $3,133,016
5%
Child Care: $3,100,105
4%
Child Support: $2,092,220
30%
Other Community Programs: $17,118,965 Housing Authority
52%
Operations: $15,123,646
48%
Housing Vouchers and Grants: $13,801,697
Housing Authority
33+21+1711642A
2018 Total Community Investments Administered by Boulder County Department of Housing & Human Services
2018 Total Community Investments $23,807,537
33%
Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: $7,856,032
21%
Mental Health: $4,973,725
17%
Child Care/Education: $4,029,943
11%
Housing Stability: $2,526,316
6%
Health and Basic Needs: $1,483,839
6%
Additional Program Support: $1,537,418
4%
Family Resource Framework: $968,940
2%
Safety: $431,324
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OUR FUTURE
The next few years will be crucial to building healthy, connected communities. In Washington, D.C. and across our state, there is increasing recognition of the leadership of local communities in prevention-focused, wholefamily, integrated health, housing, and human services delivery. We have a strong vision that empowers people and strengthens families by confronting the root causes of crisis and instability. We will continue to work closely with colleagues at the federal, state, and local levels to demonstrate prevention’s significant return on investment in the following areas: Reduce Institutional Utilization: We will seek increases in funding to address root causes and reduce the need for institutional services, including advocating for federal and state Child Welfare resources to focus on prevention and well-being. Our work in safely keeping families together in Boulder County through investing in supportive prevention services is very strong, and we are excited to work with communities across the country to improve child and family well-being. Address Housing Affordability Crisis: We will push for sustainable solutions that extend well beyond the local level, pulling together diverse stakeholders to help ensure funding and support for a tripling of our region’s affordable housing stock by 2035. We will work with communities across the country to connect our housing solutions, and we will ensure that safe, affordable housing is emphasized as one of the important Social Determinants for thriving families and individuals. Focus on Early Childhood: We will continue to lead and invest in supports for children ages 0 to 5, because we know that one of the best ways to improve child and family well-being and reduce childhood trauma — and its debilitating and expensive impacts — is to focus resources on services early in life. We will advocate at the federal and state levels for increased funding for child care assistance, universal home visitation, and family housing programs. Our future is bright because we have seen – and helped create – the successes of our past. We ask for your help in spreading the word, and as active and engaged members of our community- working with us to ensure that every family and every individual is empowered to reach their full potential and achieve their aspirations.
Contact us: Email:
hhsfrontdesk@bouldercounty.org
Phone: 303-441-1000 Benefits: 3460 Broadway, Boulder 515 Coffman, Longmont
www.BoulderCountyHHS.org Follow us on social media. Facebook.com/BCDHHS and Twitter: @bouldercohhs
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