Arapahoe County earns performance award for human services efficiency

The Arapahoe Board of County Commissioners held a study session on May 6, 2025, focusing on the county's human services programming and recent performance achievements. The meeting highlighted Arapahoe County's receipt of a distinguished performance award, recognizing its effective management of human services programs, particularly in food assistance and Medicaid processing.

During the session, officials discussed the county's impressive performance metrics, noting that Arapahoe County achieved a 98% accuracy rate in application processing, the highest among large counties in Colorado. This achievement is significant as the federal government mandates that counties maintain a minimum of 95% accuracy and timeliness in processing applications for assistance programs.

The discussion also covered the increasing caseloads in various human services areas, including child care and medical assistance. Changes in state rules have led to a rise in applications, particularly for child care assistance, as the county is now required to accept transfers from other counties. Additionally, the complexity of medical assistance redetermination processes has increased, with paperwork growing from a few pages to around 50, adding to the workload for staff.

Arapahoe County officials expressed concerns about funding allocations, noting that despite serving a larger population than some neighboring counties, their funding does not reflect this demand. They emphasized the need for adjustments in funding formulas to better match the services provided.

The meeting concluded with a call for a review of funding allocations to ensure that Arapahoe County can continue to meet the needs of its residents effectively. The commissioners acknowledged the importance of maintaining high standards in human services and the challenges posed by evolving state regulations and funding structures.