March 19, 2025 Community Advisory Committee Minutes
Otero County Department of Human Services
13 W 3rd Street
La Junta, Colorado 81050
719-383-3168
Fax 719-383-3150
Otero County Department of Human Services CMA Community Advisory Committee Minutes
Date: March 19, 2025
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Attendees:
Present:
- Ruben Rael – Family member
- Vicky Masar – Family Member
- Donna Rohde – Staff Member
Absent:
- David Monett – Member with other disability
- Kayla Kaminsky – Member with Intellectual and/or developmental disability
- Mary Jo Aragon – Member with Intellectual and/or developmental disability
Members introduced themselves and reviewed the agenda.
Members reviewed the complaint trend. The complaints received were regarding the provider agencies including perceived coercive language in attempt to convince clients and guardians to move into different group homes against their wishes. The CMA response was to mediate and advocate for the clients’ needs.
The Committee members reviewed the Grievance and Complaint policies. Discussion was held regarding the policy and how often / in which circumstances the policy was used.
There were no exceptions to review.
The group discussed the need for additional services to be provided during day programming. Members present will suggest renewing the camping trip and perhaps adding an art or theater program, involving youth in the organization, hosting a movie and popcorn event or attending the free movies at the local theater.
For the next meeting the group would like to review services that are provided by Medicaid, the training required to become a case manager and the CMA internal grievance policy. The group would appreciate a larger group for this meeting. Staff has reached out to an additional individual and encouraged members present to do the same.
The next meeting will be held on June 18, 2025.
Meeting adjourned at 12:10 p.m.