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Board reviews WIC service IGA with La Plata County and flags risk of state consolidation
Summary
Members reviewed the IGA with La Plata County that provides high‑risk WIC support, discussed service components (dietitian support, virtual check‑ins, in‑person visits) and were warned state agencies could remove parts of the local WIC program; the current IGA expires next June.
The Forest County Board of Health examined its intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with La Plata County governing high‑risk WIC clients and related support services during its March 16 meeting. Board members were told the IGA provides monthly contact with a WIC educator, a part‑time dietitian, virtual check‑ins, annual in‑person visits and fiscal‑compliance assistance.
An agency official (S4) told the board that the arrangement exists because the county lacked locally qualified staff to handle high‑risk cases and said that requirement was "mandated by statute"; no specific statute citation was provided in the meeting record. The official said some state officials had previously suggested relocating the WIC program to a centralized office unless counties maintained required capabilities.
Board members reported that WIC enrollment has grown substantially — "we're pushing right after 75 clients now," a committee member (S2) said — and credited local outreach. The agency official reviewed the IGA’s service components and suggested the board monitor the agreement; the IGA in the files is set to expire in June next year and members planned to revisit renewal ahead of that deadline.
One member recalled that the county had to "fight to keep any portion of the WIC program in Dolores County" and said the board pushed back to preserve a local presence. The board did not take a formal vote on the IGA at this meeting but directed staff to watch contract renewal timing and to review the agreement when the new director is on board.
The discussion highlighted program delivery arrangements, rising client counts and an upcoming contractual renewal; staff were asked to place IGA renewal on a future agenda for review.
