Arapahoe County commissioners agreed informally to have the county act as fiscal agent for the Alternatives to Detention program, a regional pilot that places screened youth in short‑term residential assessments with the goal of returning them to the community with services rather than holding them in detention.

Jessica Williamson of Human Services told commissioners the county would handle invoicing, billing, bed‑utilization tracking and intercounty compliance if it becomes fiscal agent. “Arapahoe County would be responsible for the invoicing, the billing, tracking the number of beds that are available or that are being utilized, talking with other counties, as far as the compliance of the program, and then working with the state to ensure that we are meeting all of the guidelines,” Williamson said.

Staff emphasized the fiscal mechanics: the program carries a fiscal note of more than $1,000,000, but Arapahoe County would be reimbursed at 100% by the state, so the county’s general fund would not absorb the cost. Commissioners asked about program operations, family involvement and capacity. Staff described the model as a roughly 21‑day short‑term assessment and stabilization placement during which youth receive screening for behavioral health, medical and educational needs; assessments are performed by Savio House in partnership with providers. The program’s goal is an expedited assessment and transition to appropriate community‑based services when clinically appropriate.

Director McElkie (program lead) said the pilot began about four years ago to reduce detentions for youth whose primary reason for continued holding was logistical (for example, parents unable to retrieve a child) rather than acute public‑safety concerns. “So what we did was we created a pilot program…for those youth who could conceivably be in the community,” McElkie said, describing the service array that includes residential assessment and connection to Savio House for evaluation and planning.

County staff said participation among counties has declined from the original larger coalition; Boulder and Douglas counties dropped out and five counties currently participate (Arapahoe, Larimer, Denver, Adams and one other county referenced). Staff warned the program can be expensive on a per‑youth basis but said it has produced positive outcomes for participating youth who otherwise lack placement options.

Commissioners raised operational questions about parental involvement and the distance of some placement locations; staff said parents are engaged when appropriate and described a Westminster‑area facility used by the program. Commissioners expressed support for Arapahoe County serving as fiscal agent; staff recorded an informal “four thumbs up” approval and said they will proceed with the fiscal‑agent agreement and associated administrative steps.

Why it matters: Commissioners flagged that intensive out‑of‑state placements for the highest‑acuity youth can cost hundreds of thousands per youth annually; maintaining a regional Alternatives to Detention option can reduce reliance on out‑of‑state placements and provide shorter, service‑oriented assessments that may facilitate family‑based returns.

Next steps: Staff will complete fiscal‑agent paperwork, coordinate purchasing/finance checks already discussed in the board staff report, and manage state invoicing and reporting as counties continue to participate in the pilot.