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Social services representative Melinda reports lower caseloads and a fraud repayment to commissioners
Summary
Melinda, the county social services representative, told the Dolores County Board that overall caseloads are down, an individual repaid benefits following a fraud investigation, and the board approved the meeting record; she also updated the board on child care cases and a state-approved recognition award.
Melinda, the county's social services representative, told the Dolores County Board of County Commissioners that overall caseloads are down from last year and that a fraud investigation resulted in an individual repaying benefits to the county.
"We have 528 total cases for our eligibility programs," Melinda said, listing programs that include adult financial assistance, Colorado Works, Medicaid and food assistance. She added the transcript shows 40 child support cases and "94 leak cases," a term used in the meeting that was not further explained there.
The update covered finance and administrative items in the packet: the record of proceedings draft, checks written and cleared, year-to-date expenditures and the ending balance. Melinda noted relatively high expenditures tied to personnel in adult protective services, child welfare and county administration.
A commissioner asked whether the "fraud repayment" item was a payment to another entity or restitution to the county. Melinda said the county had investigated an individual in the community and recovered benefits the person owed, returning those funds to the county.
She also described child welfare and child care caseload changes: one adult protection case closed in February, three child protection cases remain open, and two child care cases recently closed (one due to a fraud investigation, another because the children reached school age). Melinda said the office had removed itself from a child care wait list to allow more flexibility to accept new child care cases if they arise.
Separately, a member announced that state officials had approved a child welfare recognition award for Miranda and another nominee; the award presentation is scheduled during the board's regular meeting in April at about 10:00 a.m.
A commissioner moved to approve the meeting's record of proceedings "for March 2nd, 2026 as submitted," a second motion was recorded and the chair announced the motion carried following recorded "yes" votes.
The update closed with thanks and routine housekeeping items; no new policy or budget approvals resulted from the report.
The board then adjourned the public meeting and proceeded to take separate action to enter an executive session for legal advice (see separate article).
