Name of requestor: Ginny Riley 498-6844

Department: Human Services

Preferred appearance date: 5/20/2008 Time required: 10 min

Date decision needed: 5/20/2008

Objective: Transfer of Maintenance of Effort Refund to Health and Human Services Division

Situation: The Department of Human Services has received a refund of $306,202 from the State of Colorado. This refund is due to the fact that the State of Colorado met the Work Participation Rate in the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program in Federal Fiscal Year 2006. TANF legislation existing at the time the Rate was achieved provides for a refund to the state, and in Colorado the counties, of its Maintenance of Effort or match when this goal is achieved. The state is refunding county funds that were paid by the Department of Human Services from its county appropriation. The refund check is made out to the Larimer County Board of Commissioners, thus requiring the Department to request approval to use the funds in a particular manner.

Proposal: Although the Department of Human Services can always make good use of refunded dollars, we believe that these funds can best be used to address two programs being operated by the Health and Human Services (HHS) Division under Kathy Snell. We would like to transfer these funds to HHS to support 1) costs of providing the jail re-entry program and 2) to purchase a bus and pay the costs of driver to meet the need for transportation of clients to medical appointments. In both cases, the transfer will give a good start to these programs and allow time for other funding sources to be secured for the future.

Advantages: 1. The funds will be used to support programs which are high priority for Larimer County and meet critical needs in the community.

2. Since we are all one system, clients of the Department of Human Services will also benefit from not delaying the implementation of these programs.

Disadvantages: 1. The funds could be used for other purposes.

Requested action: Authorize the Department of Human Services to retain the $306,202 refund of TANF Maintenance of Effort dollars due to meeting the Work Participation Rate in Federal Fiscal Year 2006 and to transfer those funds to the Health and Human Services Division for support of the Jail Re-Entry project and to provide transportation services to medical appointments for needy residents of Larimer County.

Potentially Affected Interest: Board of County Commissioners

Department of Human Services

Health and Human Services Division

Citizens in need of the services to be provided

Level of Public Interest and Participations: Low

Audio/Visual/Computer Needs: