Human Services

What I said I would do as commissioner:

One of the best ways to judge our society is by how we treat those in need. Our country and state are not doing very well in this regard. In contrast, Boulder County has a strong tradition of citizen support for programs that help those in need. This is reflected in the public funding of a network of nonprofit agencies that help to provide food for the hungry, shelter for the homeless, health care for the poor, and many other critical services. I will be a strong advocate for a well-funded, coordinated, county-wide approach to human services, one that respects people of all races and ages, supports our many worthwhile nonprofits, and is responsive to the diverse needs of our communities.

What I did as commissioner:

I am most proud of the additional resources we have been fortunate to steer toward human service program. In 2005, we worked with the citizens of Boulder County to pass a ballot issue freeing Boulder County from the shackles of TABOR revenue restrictions. As part of this election, we earmarked a 20 percent portion of the retained revenues for human and social services, with a significant portion going toward nonprofit services.

We also have made a number of specific program improvements over the past three and a half years. Under Commissioner Tom Mayer’s leadership, we created a new Integrated Treatment Court. This new judicial venue offers intensive structured treatment for individuals who have landed in jail due to drug and alcohol addiction. This alternative justice program is helping people get their lives back together and keeping parents and children together. As a major testament to the success of this program, for the first time in many years the jail population is actually decreasing.

We have also worked hard to provide the facilities necessary to deliver human services. For example, we partnered on a new home for the People’s Clinic. We also contributed funding to area nonprofits that is helping them to meet crucial facility needs.

We are now working with the nonprofit community to extend the Worthy Cause sales tax. The revenue from this tax will provide funding to the nonprofits that are meeting a wide-range of human service needs. Collaboration with these nonprofits is critical to our commitment to provide health care, shelter for the homeless and victims of domestic violence, counsel the mentally ill, early childhood education, and other crucial services.

What I have left to do as commissioner:

In the past two years, we have worked with a broad group of stakeholders to develop a countywide human services strategic plan. We now need to implement this strategic plan. My focus will be on meeting the needs of children, the elderly, immigrants and other vulnerable members of our society.