Gunnison/Hinsdale Board of Human Services - 1 -
Minutes of June 16, 2026
GUNNISON/HINSDALE BOARD OF HUMAN SERVICES
MEETING MINUTES
June 16, 2026
The June 16, 2026 meeting of the Gunnison/Hinsdale Board of Human Services was held in the Board of
County Commissioners’ meeting room located at 200 E. Virginia Avenue, Gunnison, Colorado. Present,
either in person or via Zoom, were:
Laura Puckett Daniels, Chairperson Joni Reynolds, Assistant County Manager (ACM) Health,
Elizabeth Smith, Commissioner Human & Safety Services
Jonathan Houck, Commissioner Matthew Birnie, County Manager
Greg Levine, Commissioner (Hinsdale) Holly Perry, Clerk to the Board
Other Persons Present as Listed in Text
CALL TO ORDER: Commissioner Puckett Daniels called the meeting to order at 11:12 a m.
AGENDA REVIEW: There were no changes to the agenda.
MINUTES APPROVAL: Moved by Commissioner Smith, seconded by Commissioner Houck to approve
the minutes for April 21, 2026 as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
- April 21, 2026
CONSENT AGENDA: Moved by Commissioner Houck, seconded by Commissioner Smith to approve the
consent agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
- State of Colorado Department of Human Services Contract; 27 IHGA 206356; Hinsdale County;
Office of Economic Security; Health and Human Services; 7/1/2026 to 6/30/2026
PROGRAM UPDATES: Wellness/Enforcement Services Manager Betsy Holena was present for discussion.
- Colorado Service Block Grant (CSBG) – WESM Holena noted that there was $53,000 provided to
support 95 households and 172 individuals in Gunnison and Hinsdale counties. She explained that
they screen for households with largest needs and are most vulnerable as well as any that has had
a critical event. After qualification, there will be connections with different programs as needed.
This is a three-year grant cycle, and HHS is currently working on the next grant application as well
as having the three-year audit occurring on June 25
th
. Commissioner Puckett Daniels asked for
clarification on where this grant comes from. WESM Holena explained it comes from Department
of Local Affairs (DOLA) where funds are allocated but then reimbursed as it is used. - Adult Protective Services (APS) – WESM Holena noted this is a staff of two including herself.
Currently there are 79 referrals and 22 cases, with 95% of cases that were not reopened the same
year. Commissioner Smith commented that she saw a presentation regarding the challenging
housing and housing needs of the aging population and how there is insufficient data towards it.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATES:
- HB 26-1429 Eligibility Services Changes – Deputy Health and Human Services Director Brad
Wheaton noted that this bill was passed at the beginning of this month with a final implementation
date of July 1
st
, 2028 and the State is planning on hiring a facilitator to help implement the plan.
DHHSD Wheaton’s major concerns are new tech, staff training, changing to processes and
workflows, increased workload to assist other counties, impact to customer service, and learning
curves.
C-STAT AWARDS:
Economic Security Services Supervisor Brian Gage explained that the C-Stat Award was awarded to both
Gunnison and Hinsdale Counties. Gunnison County was rated fifth and Hinsdale was rated sixth out of 64
counties. ESSS Gage noted that some metrics that were used were timelines and accuracy of different
areas and also explained there is a very small margin of error and it is either pass or fail.
ACM Reynolds congratulated the team on receiving this award. Commissioner Levine also expressed
gratitude to the team for their work.
NEXT MEETING: The next meeting was scheduled for August 18, 2026.
ADJOURN: Commissioner Puckett Daniels adjourned the meeting at 11:51 am.
Minutes Prepared By:
Holly Perry, Clerk to the Board
Gunnison/Hinsdale Board of Human Services - 2 -
Minutes of June 16, 2026
Mi nutes Approved August 18, 2026:
Laura Puckett Daniels, Chairperson