Adams County youth assessment center seeks Thornton support; IGA to be considered next week

Board and start‑up leaders for a proposed Adams County Youth Resource and Assessment Center (YRAC, branded in presentation as "Wire Rack") briefed the council and asked Thornton to continue municipal support as the organization formalizes operating agreements and funding partners.

Becky Hoffman, identified as the YRAC start‑up executive director, said the youth assessment center is designed to provide immediate screening and warm handoffs to services for justice‑involved youth or those at risk of violent juvenile incidents. Hoffman and board chair Terrence Gordon told council the group has incorporated as a 501(c)(3), is finalizing a fiscal‑agent plan, and has received $400,000 in reallocated Adams County ARPA funds to complete architectural design and tenant improvements for a facility in Brighton under a one‑year lease reportedly to be provided by the 27J School District.

YRAC representatives outlined near‑term milestones: secure fiscal agent, finalize intergovernmental agreements with municipal partners and county human services, complete data‑mapping and referral‑pathway scans, and stand up a data dashboard to measure outcomes. They said early work includes coordinating referrals from law enforcement and school partners and committing to follow‑up case management instead of one‑time referrals. The board requested that Thornton continue the kind of municipal contribution the city provided to the predecessor Link program; the group did not specify an annual amount in the presentation.

Council members expressed strong support and several said they expected to see an IGA appear on council’s agenda next week. Multiple council members and staff noted the county and local school district participation and emphasized the need for stable, ongoing municipal funding, a fiscal agent to manage donations and grants, and clear performance metrics.

Ending: YRAC leaders asked for Thornton’s ongoing municipal participation and financial support; staff said an IGA will be presented to council next week for the council’s consideration. The board said the center will focus on coordinated, data‑driven interventions and follow‑up case management as it transitions from start‑up to ongoing operations.