[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 176 (Tuesday, October 31, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1457]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       GARFIELD COUNTY CHILD WELFARE DIVISION RECOGNITION TRIBUTE

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                          HON. SCOTT R. TIPTON

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 31, 2017

  Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the employees of 
the Garfield County Department of Human Services for their dedication 
to child welfare. Their work recently garnered national recognition 
from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service's Children's 
Bureau.
  Every year the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service's 
Children's Bureau reviews child welfare practices across the nation. 
The Department selected Denver, Pueblo, and Garfield Counties in 
Colorado for in-person reviews this year. The child welfare division is 
the second largest division in the Garfield County Department of Human 
Services; it employs 31 individuals, who each respond to and manage 
cases related to child abuse, neglect, and protection for at-risk 
adults. From January 1 through September 20, 2017, roughly 350 
referrals were assigned to the division, 85 percent of which were cases 
related to parental substance abuse. During the in-person review, 27 of 
Garfield County's cases were analyzed in-depth to determine whether the 
child welfare division followed federal guidelines and focused on child 
protection, outcomes of permanency, safety and well-being.
  While it is rare for any entity to be awarded a perfect score, at the 
conclusion of the Department's evaluation, nine of Garfield County's 
cases were marked in the 100 percent category. The review results are a 
testament to the passion and dedication that each member of the child 
welfare division brings to their work every day. In addition to its 
review findings, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services also 
praised Garfield County for going above and beyond to engage in timely 
communication with families involved in cases.
  Mr. Speaker, Garfield County's exemplary performance in the field of 
child welfare is incredibly valuable to communities in the county and 
our state as a whole. We are thankful for their continued efforts to 
improve the lives of young children and adults in the Third 
Congressional District. I stand with the residents of Colorado in 
thanking the employees of the child welfare division for their service.

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