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Boulder County assistance program featured on Dateline NBC
Jun 21st
Boulder County’s human services programs highlighted nationally
County’s focus on early intervention and prevention helping increasing numbers of people
Boulder County, Colo. – Boulder County’s front-end approach to providing human services will be in the national spotlight this weekend. On Sunday, June 24, Dateline NBC will feature a documentary on three families who have received services through the county and its collaboration with community providers.
According to the network’s description, the one-hour special, “America Now: Lost in Suburbia,” focuses on formerly middle class families confronting poverty for the first time. Dateline producers and camera crews have been in Boulder County since late 2011 conducting interviews and gathering footage for the documentary. Boulder County Department of Housing and Human Services (DHHS) Director Frank Alexander spoke with Dateline NBC anchor Lester Holt for the program, and numerous interviews were also conducted with DHHS staff and representatives from community non-profit partner organizations.
The program will air this Sunday at 7 p.m. Mountain time on NBC.
Since 2008, Boulder County has seen a 150 percent increase in need for Food Assistance and a 63 percent increase in need for Medicaid services. Some of this increase is a result of people applying for human services assistance for the first time in their lives. Alexander notes that in recent years, in part to address this rising need, Boulder County has shifted to a front-end, early intervention and prevention approach to providing human services. “This involves helping clients identify their full range of needs as soon as they come to us,” he said. “For example, if we can help someone avoid foreclosure by getting him into housing counseling, we save him and the community nearly $75,000.”
Boulder County’s foreclosure rate has fallen 58 percent since it peaked in 2009, the same year the number of clients in DHHS’ foreclosure counseling program hit its high point. “Many clients who come to us for Food Assistance quickly find out that they also need housing counseling and are eligible for financial assistance with childcare,” Alexander said. “By investing more in this early identification of needs, we are saving money and helping people avoid deeper crisis.”
Ballot Initiative 1A, also known as the Temporary Human Services Safety Net (TSN), is helping generate funding for these crucial services. The TSN, passed by voters in November 2010, was designed to back-fill budget cuts to Boulder County’s human services programs. The county has seen a 20 percent cut to its human services funding at the state and federal level during a time when need has risen dramatically.
“Our front-end approach to human services is strengthening our safety net,” said Boulder County Commissioner Cindy Domenico. “Thanks in big part to the taxpayers and our community partners, as more of our neighbors find themselves needing help we’re building a system that is there to meet them earlier and more efficiently.”
Boulder police are looking for 2 suspects in flat-billed caps
Jun 21st
Two suspects wanted in connection with attack on couple
A husband and wife walking together in downtown Boulder called 9-1-1 after two suspects attacked the husband, allegedly punching him in the face several times. The victim refused medical treatment, but was injured in the attack. The incident took place on Saturday, June 16, around 12:45 a.m. in the area of Broadway and Spruce Streets.
The victim told police that he and his wife were walking through the parking garage at 2028 11th St. when four males in an SUV approached them and made lewd comments toward his wife. The husband told the men in the SUV that he didn’t appreciate the remarks, and the couple continued walking through the garage and out to the street.
Suspect 1
While walking northbound on Broadway, two of the unknown males came up behind the couple and began punching the husband after calling him an obscenity. The wife was not hurt during the attack. She tried to help her husband but was pushed away because he was worried about her safety. The victim says he did not hit the suspects.
The two suspects ran away when the victim told them he was calling police. Officers canvassed the area but weren’t able to locate the men.
It’s believed the two men involved in the attack came from the SUV the couple first encountered in the parking garage. They think the vehicle is possibly a blue Jeep Liberty. The victims weren’t able to provide a license plate number. They did provide descriptions of the two suspects, and composite sketches are attached. (Suspects are wearing ball caps in sketches. Photo of similar ball cap is also attached).
Suspect 2
Both suspects are white males. One suspect is 6’4” tall, weighs about 260 pounds and has short brown hair. He wore an oversized yellow shirt and blue jeans.
The second suspect is approximately 5’10”, weighs between 195 to 210 pounds, and has brown hair. He wore baggy blue jeans and an oversized green T-shirt. Both of the suspects wore all-white baseball-style caps with flat brims.
The case number is 12-8022.
Police are asking anyone with information about this attack to contact Det. Heather Frey at 303-441-3369. Those who have information but wish to remain anonymous may contact the Northern Colorado Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or 1-800-444-3776. Tips can also be submitted through the Crime Stoppers website at www.crimeshurt.com. Those submitting tips through Crime Stoppers that lead to the arrest and filing of charges on a suspect(s) may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000 from Crime Stoppers.
Burglars make off with 50 grand worth of used electronics
Jun 18th
Three suspects wanted in connection with $50,000 business burglary
Three unknown suspects burglarized two side-by-side businesses over the weekend, leaving behind damaged walls and windows and making off with an estimated $50,000.00 in electronics. Stolen electronics include dozens of cell phones and wireless accessories, a flat-screen TV, computers, two iPads, cash, video games and video game consoles and accessories.
The burglaries took place on Saturday, June 16, around 1:45 a.m. at LA Nails (2708 28th St.) and Next 2 New Wireless (2710 28th St). A surveillance camera from a nearby business shows three suspects in the Next 2 New Wireless store. Police are looking for any information which could assist in identifying the suspects.
The case number is 12-8033.
Investigators believe the suspects initially entered the LA Nails salon through a rear bathroom window, and then knocked a hole into the wall which adjoins the salon to the Next 2 New Wireless store. The hole was big enough to allow a person to pass through it. It does not appear that any merchandise or money was taken from the LA Nails salon.
The owner of the wireless store estimates damage and theft to total at least $50,000.00.
Police are asking for help from the public, and encourage anyone with information to contact Det. Kristin Weisbach. Her direct number is 303-441-4474. Those who have information but wish to remain anonymous may contact the Northern Colorado Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or 1-800-444-3776. Tips can also be submitted through the Crime Stoppers website at www.crimeshurt.com. Those submitting tips through Crime Stoppers that lead to the arrest and filing of charges on a suspect(s) may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000 from Crime Stoppers.
