The revenue from Denver’s mill levy in 2018 is expected to be more than 17 million dollars. Rocky Mountain Human Services (RMHS) is currently under contract for distributing the mill levy monies. That contract is set to expire this summer on June 30. Any contract over $500,000 requires the approval of the City Council.
Denver Human Services (DHS) has been conducting a needs assessment survey to decide how to spend the mill levy revenue and what agency to contract with for implementing those decisions. DHS will be holding a public meeting on June 11th to share the results of the needs assessment survey.
In this EVOICE, AdvocacyDenver takes an in-depth look at the mill levy decision process with four different perspectives from decision makers, stakeholders, clients, and parents impacted by the outcome. Mill Levy Program Manager, Justin Sykes, says DHS has received over 250 survey responses. He emphasizes that DHS is supporting an open process for obtaining information from public output.
Interviews Conducted By Catherine Strode
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School Stability To Improve Foster Youth Graduation Rates
An Interview with Catherine Strode
The high school graduation rates in Colorado of foster youth trend significantly lower than those of the general population. A bill has passed the House that would permit students in out-of-home placement to stay in their school of origin instead of moving to a different school when placed outside of the home. House Bill 18-1306 is sponsored by State Representative Dafna Michaelson Jenet.
In an interview with Catherine Strode, Representative Michaelson Jenet says the bill addresses what has been identified as the most challenging issue facing foster youth: their high dropout and low graduation rate. The bill she has sponsored is designed to improve these rates by keeping foster youth in stable educational environments.
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Food and Drug Administration Approved Cannabis in State Pharmacies
An Interview with Catherine Strode
One of the state’s most vocal political opponents of legalized marijuana has helped pass a bill to allow pharmacies to dispense pharmaceutical marijuana. State Senator John Cooke, a retired sheriff from Weld County, pulls no punches in saying he believes marijuana to be a ‘scourge’ on the state. However, he has cosponsored and helped pass House Bill 18-1187 that makes a technical fix to Colorado pharmacy law that prevents pharmacies from dispensing drug products that contain marijuana or marijuana concentrate.
In an interview with Catherine Strode, Senator Cooke says his sponsorship of HB18-1187 is an attempt to aid children suffering from severe forms of epilepsy. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is currently reviewing a drug containing cannabidiol (CBD) to treat a rare form of resistant pediatric epilepsy called Epidiolex. With the passage of HB18-1187, Colorado parents can obtain cannabidiol to treat the disease if approved by the FDA.
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Center’s Shutdown for Underfed, Abused Kids Results in Bill
An Interview with Catherine Strode
State Representative Jonathan Singer (House District 11) is sponsoring a bill to investigate allegations of abuse of children/youth in out-of-home placement and under the continuing jurisdiction of the court. House Bill 18-1346 offers protections for youth under the age of 21 from institutional child abuse. The bill is a direct outcome of the state’s 2017 shutdown of El Pueblo, a treatment center for youth. Children at the Center gave reports of being starved and abused.
In an interview with Catherine Strode, Representative Singer who is a former social worker says he is committed to making sure all youth in Colorado’s systems are treated fairly. This, he says, is not a partisan issue.
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Legislators Tackle Fire Safety in Host Homes
An Interview with Catherine Strode
State Senator Irene Aguilar and State Representative Dan Pabon are co-sponsoring a bill to implement a fire safety oversight system for individual residential services. House Bill 18-1376 is a response to the tragic host home fire which resulted in fatalities nearly two years ago. The bill has passed the House Public Health Care and Human Services Committee and has been referred to Appropriations.
In an interview with Catherine Strode, Senator Aguilar says the bill supports providers for persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities by creating awareness of the need to set safety standards for vulnerable populations who receive services from the state.
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Employment First: Yes!
An Interview with Catherine Strode
It’s estimated that 85 percent of people with intellectual or developmental disabilities are unemployed or underemployed. The state legislature is in the process of passing a bill (Senate Bill 18-145) to address that problem and lower that rate in Colorado. The bill implements three main recommendations of a five-year strategic plan created by a State Advisory Partnership. The bill’s sponsor, State Senator John Kefalas (Senate District 14) says the bill also supports a culture shift.
In an interview with Catherine Strode, Senator Kefalas says the bill supports the concept of ‘Employment First’. The concept is based on developing a culture of meaningful employment for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities which moves them out of sheltered workshops and into community-based jobs.
Property Rights For People With Developmental Disabilities Restored With Bill
An Interview with Catherine Strode
State Senator Bob Gardner (Senate District 12) has a long legislative history of sponsoring bills that support the rights and interests of individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities. He is currently the sponsor of Senate Bill 174, a bill that brings Colorado law into alignment with federal law protecting the rights of individuals living in group homes and other residential settings.
In an interview with Catherine Strode, Senator Gardner says Senate Bill 174 is part of an ongoing bipartisan effort in Colorado to maintain equal rights for all state citizens.
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Funding of the Colorado Civil Rights Commission Faces Final Vote
An Interview with Catherine Strode
The State Senate Judiciary Committee is holding a hearing next week on a bill to reauthorize funding for the Colorado Civil Rights Commission (CCRC.) Funding the CCRC is being called one of the most contentious issues of the 2018 Legislative Session with opinions being drawn down party lines. In February, Republicans on the Joint Budget Committee voted to withhold the funding.
In an interview with Catherine Strode, Senate Judiciary Committee member Rhonda Fields voices her strong support of the reauthorization. She says the pending Supreme Court case, Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission of a Colorado baker refusing to make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple is driving the partisan debate.
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Vote “YES” on Education Funding Bill for Students With Special Needs
An Interview with Catherine Strode
This coming Monday, April 2, the House Education Committee will vote on a bill crafted by 174 Colorado Superintendents to increase resources and decrease inequities in Colorado’s public schools for students with special needs. This encompasses students with disabilities, gifted and talented, children in poverty and English language learners. House Bill 18-1232 is sponsored by State Representative Dave Young and co-sponsored by State Senator Don Coram. The bill modernizes the school finance distribution formula for all students throughout the state. The formula has not been updated for the past 24 years.
In an interview with Catherine Strode, Representative Young says the bill has strong support among the state’s school superintendents. He urges community support to get the bill passed.
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Behavioral Health Disabilities Targeted in State Aid Program
An Interview with Catherine Strode
State Representative Tony Exum is one of 11 siblings. He speaks of growing up in poverty and how that experience shapes his support of legislation. His sponsorship of House Bill 18-1196, “Applications for Aid to the Needy Disabled Program,” is representative of his commitment to serve individuals enduring chronic homelessness, unemployment, and economic need. The bill is targeted to help individuals be verified as having a disability who are homeless due to behavioral health disorders. The bill has passed with strong bipartisan support.
In an interview with Catherine Strode, Representative Exum and Advocate Jack Regenbogon discuss the bill’s importance and impact on low income Coloradans.
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