Heather, your office is actively discouraging presumptively eligible clients from applying for aid through misinformation and deceitful tactics.
Such practices are not only morally reprehensible but also a clear violation of the mandates set forth by the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS). According to CDHS policies, it is mandatory for county welfare offices to encourage the completion and submission of applications for public assistance. Any actions to the contrary are illegal and undermine the very purpose of our welfare system.
Additionally, it appears that there may be an agenda within the county to divert funds intended for public assistance and use them elsewhere. This misallocation of resources not only harms those in need but also constitutes a gross misuse of taxpayer money. Such actions do not fly under state regulations and ethical standards.
The misuse of funds intended for public assistance is particularly egregious. These funds are allocated specifically to support vulnerable individuals and families. Redirecting these resources away from their intended purpose to benefit other county interests is a betrayal of public trust and a violation of state law.
To address these serious issues, the following actions must be taken immediately:
- End Deceptive Practices: Cease all misleading and discouraging behavior towards clients. Any staff found to be engaging in such practices should face immediate disciplinary action.
- Training and Compliance: Implement comprehensive training programs to ensure all staff are well-versed in the correct procedures and ethical standards required by state policy.
- Regular Audits: Conduct frequent and thorough audits to monitor compliance with these policies and ensure proper allocation of funds.
- Anonymous Reporting: Establish a confidential system for clients and staff to report unethical practices without fear of retaliation.
- Public Awareness Campaign: Launch initiatives to inform the community about their rights and how to apply for aid, ensuring transparency and accessibility.
- Independent Oversight: Set up an independent oversight committee to review the office’s operations and ensure adherence to state regulations and proper use of funds.
These steps are essential to restore integrity and trust in our county aid office. The well-being of our community depends on the fair and honest administration of public assistance programs.
K.Shepherd
Huerfano county reply
Mr. Shepard,
I know that you seem to disagree with everything our department does. I am not sure what you are complaining about in this instance. You have all your benefits and you are receiving the maximum amount of benefits. I have not had someone complain to me about deceitful practices, other than you. I will need more details about what practices those are, and I would need to hear from the affected parties.
We strive to provide excellent customer service. We have some of the lowest in office wait times in the state. We have dedicated employees who help usher people through the application process if needed. We have improved our timeliness metrics substantially over the last six months, and we ensure that each employee has completed all required trainings for programs and operations.
I appreciate your insights, and we are working on developing a marketing campaign to better notify the community of the available services in our department.
Additionally, complaints can always be submitted at the state level. Those complaints are handled by state officers and are investigated by state level officials. I hear your suggestion about an anonymous system, and I will take that into consideration as we continue to improve our systems.
In the meantime, I encourage you to refer people to the department if they are having issues. People are always welcome to reach out to me, and if they would like to remain confidential, I will protect them and their identities whenever possible.
Thank you for your continued advocacy for yourself and for our community.
Heather.
Dear Heather,
Thank you for your response. However, I am compelled to address a recent incident that further underscores the issues I raised.
Today, your victim reported that when they submitted an application at your office, they were not provided with a receipt. When the victim returned to request a fair hearing form due to the missing receipt, they were met with reluctance. The staff member’s response was, “Sure, if I can find one,” and it took an additional ten minutes to locate a noa version of the form. What was eventually found was a denial notice apparently citing the absence of a MED-9 form, a practice that seems to persist from previous administration issues under Sheila. Look at the med 9 denial stats.
This situation highlights a systemic problem. By law, clients are entitled to a receipt upon submission of their application and should have immediate access to fair hearing request forms without unnecessary delays or excuses. The continuous miscommunication and misinformation about the necessity of a MED-9 form before even allowing clients to apply are particularly troubling ( I have it recorded so it is undeniable). It suggests that the county is not only quick to deny services but also to exploit the vulnerabilities of the most at-risk individuals in our community.
Here are the core issues:
Non-Provision of Receipts: Failing to provide receipts upon application submission is unacceptable. It undermines transparency and accountability.
Access to Fair Hearing Forms: The inability or unwillingness to promptly provide fair hearing request forms is a violation of procedural rights.
Misinformation about MED-9 Forms: Persisting in the false requirement that a MED-9 form is necessary before application submission is both misleading and illegal. They have time with aid active.
These practices directly contradict your claim of striving to provide excellent customer service and your reported improvements in timeliness metrics. Real progress isn’t measured by how quickly clients are processed out of the system but by how accurately and fairly their applications are handled.
To resolve these issues, I strongly recommend the following actions:
Immediate Training Refresher: Conduct mandatory training sessions for all staff to reinforce the importance of providing receipts for every application and ensuring fair hearing forms are readily available.
Clear Communication: Reiterate to all staff that a MED-9 form is not a prerequisite for application submission. Ensure this information is communicated clearly to all clients.
Monitoring and Accountability: Implement stricter oversight mechanisms to monitor compliance with these procedures and hold staff accountable for any deviations.
The community relies on the integrity of the county aid office, and these steps are essential to rebuild trust and ensure fair treatment for all clients.
Thank you for your attention to these matters. I look forward to seeing tangible improvements in the operations of your office.
K. Shepherd