Dolores County staff warn state's district model could raise errors, cut local capacity

Melinda, giving the social services update, outlined county concerns about the state's push toward a district model for human services and centralized call-center tiers. She said the state wants some functions moved to a district or statewide model, including fraud services and a tiered call-center arrangement, and that "we would actually increase our error rates by going to this district model."

Board members discussed the potential consequences for local offices if districts or third-party contractors take over operations. Melinda and others said counties that retain in-house processing are worried about losing staff and local control; participants mentioned the possibility of up to a "50% cut to human services personnel across the state" and questioned how the state could require counties to sign an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) that effectively transfers operational control. Jefferson County was noted as having adopted a resolution against serving as a district, and the state's reply reportedly was that a third party could be found to perform the district functions if counties decline.

Melinda said directors were drafting an alternative plan they hoped to circulate to the Health and Human Services board by the end of the week; she described the plan as containing "very bold statements" intended to marshal lobbying support from organizations such as CCI. The board recorded concern that shifting to a district model without adequate funding for call-center tiers and district hubs could increase county costs and operational risk.