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Contact Your Commissioners
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Kevin
McCasky
Chairman,
District Two
Faye
Griffin
Chairman
Pro Tem,
District
One
Kathy
Hartman
District
Three
commish@jeffco.us
303.271.8525
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Are You Prepared?
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 Contributed
by Andrea Burns, Jefferson County
Are you prepared in case of a disaster? If a disaster
occurs in your community, local government and disaster-relief groups
work hard to help you. But you need to be ready as well. You should know
how to respond to severe conditions that can occur in our area:
wildfires, flood, tornadoes, winter storms and extreme heat or cold. You
should also be ready to be self-sufficient for three to five
days.
Read more about emergency
preparedness and the 72-hour kit on the Jefferson County
Sheriff's Office Web site.
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"Our Jeffco" Civics Class
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Have you ever wondered what exactly local governments are
responsible for? A new educational seminar called "Our
Jeffco" has been designed to help citizens learn more about their
local government and become more engaged in the process.
This seminar will be similar to a civics class, providing a
unique learning experience where you can interact, engage and discuss
topics specific to government operations at the local level, as well as
how things operate on a broader scale.
The county is planning to offer this Civics 101 course starting in
early summer 2009. To gauge interest and assist in planning this
inaugural class, we need your feedback. We would like to know if you
would like to participate in such an event. Classes will be held at the
Jefferson County Administration and Courts Building. Specific dates
and time have not yet been determined.
If you would like to attend the event, please send an
email to Tim Carl at tcarl@jeffco.us.
It would be helpful to know if you prefer classes in the evening or
afternoon. In addition, take a moment and let us know what topics
sound interesting to you, such as:
- How does
government work?
- Where
do your property taxes go?
- How does
land get rezoned?
- Who
determines which streets get plowed?
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Are Your Kids Safety Kids?
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 Contributed
by Andrea Burns, Jefferson County
The Sheriff's Office Crime Prevention Unit has a wealth of resources on
child safety. Primary among them is the "For Safety's
Sake" program, which features a character named Charlie Check-First
(right).
The Sheriff's Office offers this free, educational series to schools
and scout groups within unincorporated Jefferson County. Customized for
children from preschool to sixth grade, the program is a highly
interactive, safety- and violence-prevention program taught using
magic, puppetry, clowning and storytelling.
For more information on child safety and the "For Safety's
Sake" program, visit the Jefferson County Sheriff's
Office Web site or call call Joyce Nelson at
303-271-5665.
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The Morning Refresher - 2009
Educational Series for Businesses
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 Contributed by Kris Kinzli,
Jefferson County Workforce Center
Learn about the latest trends facing your workforce
regardless of the size of your company. Our professional presenters
will inspire and refresh you with valuable, up-to-date information while
you enjoy breakfast.
The second workshop in the series, Communication Skills for Leaders™:
How to Communicate Effectively, Even When No One Else Does, facilitated by
Anna Conrad, J.D., will be held Tuesday, April 14, 8:30 a.m. - 11 a.m. at
the Molly Brown House in Lakewood.
Come and learn how excellent communication skills are at the heart of
successful leaders and businesses. Without proper communication,
teams are riddled with conflict, people are misunderstood, progress is
stalled, and productivity and revenue are not optimized. In
Communication Skills for Leaders™, through interactive workshops,
self-assessments, and skills practice, you will gain practical experience
initiating and responding to various forms of communication. You will learn
to handle situations based on a flexible, genuine and self-confident
approach. You will also gain the skills to collaborate with others and hone
your communications toolkit.
Register and join us. $25 includes breakfast and inspiration.
Seating is limited, so register online
today. For more information, visit www.jeffcoworkforce.org
or call 303-271-4601.
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County Commissioners Expedite Construction of Animal Center
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The 33-year-old Table Mountain Animal Center (TMAC),
located on county-owned land near the intersection of Highway 58 and
Interstate 70, is too small, very inadequate, and past its useful
lifespan. It is also the second largest animal care organization in
the Denver metro area and one of the largest in the state.
To get construction of an urgently needed replacement for the county-wide
animal center underway as soon as possible, the Jefferson County Board of
Commissioners will issue Certificates of Participation (COP) for up to $5.2
million, to be paid back from revenue from dog licensing. The
commissioners previously set aside $3 million in cash to jumpstart the
project.
The Table Mountain Animal Center Foundation will raise the remaining $1.5 million
through a major capital fundraising campaign. The commissioners decided to
issue the COPs for the center after recognizing the difficulty volunteers
from the TMAC Foundation will have fundraising in the nation's current
strained economy
The new center will be built on the county-owned Jeffco Fairgrounds land
near Sixth Avenue and Indiana, with the county providing a 50-year lease to
the Animal Center.
County Commissioner Kevin McCasky told members of the Table Mountain Animal
Center board of directors and the TMAC Foundation board that preliminary
architectural drawings for the project will be completed and the project
ready for bids in about 12 weeks. "We hope to start work around June
15. That will allow the foundation time to raise money in its capital
campaign." To date, TMAC Foundation has received more than
$500,000 in pledges for the project.
- County Cash
Contribution: $3 Million
- County COP
Funding up to: $5.2 Million (Debt Service supported by Dog Licensing
Revenue)
- Long-term
(50 year) County Land Lease:$1/year
- TMAC
Foundation Donations: $1.5 Million
The animal center is a shared facility
between the county, the cities of Arvada, Lakewood, Wheat Ridge,
Westminster and Golden. It was originally created through an
intergovernmental agreement between the county and the cities to provide
animal control services to residents.
The cities and county use it for animal control - a way to protect the
public by keeping dangerous dogs off the street. It provides a safe
haven for lost, homeless and abandoned animals brought to the center by
animal control officers, residents and sometimes pet owners. Through
fundraising by the not-for-profit Foundation, TMAC also provides animal
care, adoption and education services. In 2008, TMAC cared for more than
10,000 animals.
On February 11, the county's Planning Commission unanimously gave site
approval for the project. Existing construction at the Jeffco Fairgrounds
is for a drainage project unrelated to the animal center
construction. Ground breaking for the center is targeted for early to
mid summer.
Jefferson County has required dogs to be licensed in unincorporated
Jefferson County since 1994. In July, 2007, the cities of Arvada, Golden,
Lakewood, Wheat Ridge and Westminster joined with the county in a joint dog
licensing program.
The goals of mandatory licensing are to protect pet owners and their
animals by tracking dangerous and aggressive dogs and habitual offenders of
animal laws; ensure dogs have their rabies shots; return lost pets to their
owners more quickly and increase the number of pets returned to their
homes. A portion of the revenues from this program will be used to assist
in funding operational expenses of the facility.
McCasky said the new facility will be very functional, meeting needs well
into the future. Only part of the building will be used for animal control
functions. The remainder will be used to continue and enhance the education
and pet adoption functions of the animal center. The new facility is
designed with many "green" components, exceeding baseline energy
standards in terms of operational system efficiencies.
Commissioner Kathy Hartman said she will work with the Foundation to help
secure its share of the funding. "We want the facility to be a
partnership between our governments and our citizens, with private
donations helping to enhance the education and pet adoption areas of the
center."
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March is National Nutrition Month
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 Contributed by Nancy
Braden, Jefferson County Public Health
March is National Nutrition Month® and a perfect time to
focus on the importance of making informed food choices and developing
sound eating and physical-activity habits. Unhealthy diet and inactivity
can contribute to many chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes,
hypertension, heart disease, stroke and some cancers.
Jefferson County Department of Health and Environment's (JCDHE) Nutrition
Services Program assists families with healthy meal planning and reminds
everyone that there are smart food choices that fit busy lifestyles even
with tight budgets. The American Dietetic Association offers these tips for
saving money and still maintaining a healthy diet.
- Plan ahead:
Even
small amounts of advance planning pay off: Look for easy
one-pot recipes. Many recipe web sites offer nutrition information and
grocery lists for their meals.
- Use coupons:
Clipping
coupons or printing them from web sites can save 10 to 15 percent on
your grocery bill. Also consider joining your supermarket's shopper's
club for price specials.
- Follow
portions for protein:
Consumers
can still keep costs low when shopping in the meat section. Remember
that a portion of meat is the size of a deck of cards. A pound of
chicken breasts could last for two meals if you follow portion
control.
- Make a
meatless meal:
Beans
are an excellent source of protein and are also an inexpensive way to
create a healthy meal.
- Think fresh,
frozen or canned:
When
it comes to fruits and vegetables, all types are equally nutritious
and bargains can be found.
- Don't throw
money away:
Keep
leftovers safe by refrigerating them quickly, use before they go bad
and you can stretch one meal into a few. Leftover chicken can be mixed
with rice for a stir-fry or mixed with a pasta sauce over spaghetti.
JCDHE Nutrition Services dietitians can help with making
informed food choices, becoming more physically active, breast feeding,
managing diabetes and preventing obesity. The Nutrition Services
Program is also where families can enroll in the federally funded WIC
Program, (Women, Infants, Children). Once on WIC, women and children under
the age of 5 can benefit from nutrition education and obtain food vouchers
for essential foods, such as milk, beans, cheese and cereals.
JCDHE encourages individuals and families to turn to a
registered dietitian for eating solutions, including lowering costs.
"A registered dietitian is like a professional eating coach who can
help you make small changes that fit into your lifestyle" says Sara
Lemley, R.D.. Nutrition Services Program Manager. The second annual
Registered Dietitian Day is on March 11, during National Nutrition Month®.
Registered Dietitian Day was created by the American Dietetic Association
to increase awareness of RDs as the indispensable providers of food and
nutrition services, and to recognize their commitment to helping people
enjoy healthy lives.
For more information:
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5k to Support Foster Care
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 Mark your calendar for the Edgerunner
5k Walk/Run. This new event is intended to promote awareness and raise
interest in the need for foster care in the community. Resources and
agencies will be present to answer questions. Come cheer, walk or run to
show your support for kids and families involved in foster care! This race
is being sponsored by the Foster Care and Adoption divisions of Arapahoe
and Jefferson Counties. Visit www.edgerunner5k.com for
more information.
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National Brain Injury Awareness Month
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 Contributed
by Nancy Braden, Jefferson County Public Health
March is Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Awareness Month. TBI
is caused by an external physical force to the head that causes movement of
the brain within the hard, rough interior of the skull. This may produce a
diminished or altered state of consciousness, resulting in an impairment of
cognitive, physical, behavioral and emotional functioning.
TBI is a serious public health problem in the United States.
Each year, traumatic brain injuries contribute to a substantial number of
deaths and cases of permanent disability. According to the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, recent data shows that, on average,
approximately 1.4 million people sustain a traumatic brain injury annually.
JCDHE Health Care
Program for Children and Youth with Special Needs
In Jefferson County, the JCDHE Health Care Program for
Children and Youth with Special Needs (HCP) provides help to
children with traumatic brain injury and other special health needs. The
program helps children, their families and the service providers who work
with them. Professionals and families work together as a team to improve
the outcome for children. For more information on the HCP Program or to see
if your child or a child you may know qualifies, please call 303-239-7006.
 Heads
Up: Concussion in Youth Sports
The Brain Injury Association of America and its partners are
focusing on creating awareness about sports and concussions during 2009
National Brain Injury Awareness Month, with the theme, Heads Up: Concussion
in Youth Sports.
A concussion is a brain injury caused by a bump or blow
to the head that can change the way your brain normally works. Even what
seems to be a mild bump or blow to the head can be serious. As many as 3.8
million sports- and recreation-related concussions are estimated to occur
in the United States each year.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) developed the "Heads Up: Concussion in
Youth Sports" initiative to offer information about
concussions to coaches, parents and athletes involved in youth sports.
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Health Updates for March
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Contributed by Nancy Braden, Jefferson County Public Health
 Diabetes
Alert Day
On Diabetes Alert Day, Tuesday, March 24, 2009, the American
Diabetes Association and partners across the nation will "Sound the
Alert" about the dangers of diabetes. Everyone should be aware of the
risk factors for type 2 diabetes.
People who are overweight, under active (living a sedentary
lifestyle) and over the age of 45 should consider themselves at risk for
the disease. African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans and people who
have a family history of the disease are at an increased risk for type 2
diabetes.
The American Diabetes Association and Jefferson County Department of Health
and Environment encourage people to take the Diabetes Risk Test
and find out if they, or their loved ones, are at risk for developing type
2 diabetes.
You can visit the JCDHE Web page,
Nutrition Services for more information or to speak with a JCDHE
community dietitian, call Margaret Lees Roldan, RD, MS at 303-239-9581.
For what you need to know about eating with diabetes:
 Cover
the Uninsured Week -- March 22-28, 2009
As millions of Americans face a weakening economy and potential job loss,
more and more people may be without health insurance. JCDHE helps to
provide the county's uninsured or underinsured citizens with obtaining
health insurance or access to health care.
Cover the Uninsured Week aims to get people involved in
comprehensive health care reform and finding a way to get all Coloradoans
insured.
For more information:
 National
School Breakfast Week -- March 2 - 6, 2009
National School Breakfast Week was launched in 1989 to raise
awareness of the availability of the School Breakfast Program to all
children. The theme this year as proclaimed by the School Nutrition Association
is "Power Up with School Breakfast."
A nutritious and healthy school breakfast gives students the
energy to overcome barriers and succeed academically each
day. Participation in the School Breakfast Program grew to include 8.5
million children during the 2007-2008 school year, but the program still
misses more than half of America's eligible low-income children. School
breakfast programs are designed to meet federal nutrition standards and
guard against obesity and diabetes.
"Eating breakfast is a healthy strategy that fits well
with the 2009 National Nutrition Month® theme, 'Eat Right,'" says,
Elise Lubell, JCDHE Health Promotion and Lifestyle Management Director.
"Educating people about the importance of eating a healthy breakfast
is an important part of promoting healthy eating patterns in our
county."
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Contact Us
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Jefferson County
Public Information Office
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