A 0 Division of Criminal Justice Department of Public Safety Unit name (optional) 700 Kipling Street. Suite 1000 Lakewood, CO 80215 November 30, 2016 Fernando Martinez San Luis Valley Behavioral Health Group Alamosa, Colorado Re: Termination of Intensive Residential Treatment Contract Dear Mr. Martinez: We received the proposal submitted by Kristina Daniel and you relating to the restructure of the Intensive Residential Treatment program within the San Luis Valley Community Corrections. While the intent and sincerity of the proposed changes are clear, there is not a sufficient level of confidence that the problems resulting in the current breach of the contract will be solved on a sustained basis. The deficiencies noted in the most recent audit are not new ones, with the exception of the intentional falsification of files and documents. There have been long-standing challenges in hiring and retaining qualified staff, particularly appropriately credentialed treatment providers. Numerous other issues have led to recurring findings of noncompliance or partial compliance. Continuing to provide this highest level of funding for treatment of high-needs offenders who are not receiving the benefit of the funding cannot be justified. In order to minimize disruption to the current cohort of offenders, you are authorized to continue serving that group through the remainder of their IRT program. The chart provided by Ms. Daniels show that the last of the 21 offenders is expected to graduate on January 30, 2017. You are not authorized to accept any new clients into IRT. Our first concern is that offenders receive the treatment they need for the benefit of the individual, for public safety, and to fulfill our responsibilities in distributing public dollars. We have reviewed capacities in remaining IRT programs around the state and believe that, for future offenders assessed as appropriate for IRT, treatment beds can be made available within other programs. While travel to another part of the state is not as convenient, the location of a residential treatment program is not significant. Once these offenders have completed IRT, they can be returned to SLV community corrections for supervision and services that are more impacted by geographic proximity to their location of expected release. It is much more important for IRT to be delivered in a manner consistent with standards and best practices than it is to be in a particular geographic location. From our conversations and also statements made in your cover letter we understand that the termination of this contract will also impact regular community corrections operations. We will work with you to the extent possible as SLV makes necessary adjustments to better align the funding sources so that regular community corrections functions are supported by dollars provided for that program. The termination of this contract does not prohibit SLV from bidding on future contract solicitations for IRT programs when those solicitations may be issued. Please feel free to contact me or any of the community corrections staff if you have any questions. Jeanne M. Smith Director, Division of Criminal Justice Si (9,12 . the - 700 Kipling Street Suite 1000, Lakewood, CO 80215 303.239.4398 303.239.4670 if it: if" John W. Hickenlooper, Governor I Stan Hilkey, Executive Director .1 . ?a 1'