Program to assist individuals to obtain disability benefits

8-88-203. Program to assist individuals to obtain disability benefits. (1) The committee shall invite nonprofit entities, county departments of human services, and county departments of social services to submit proposals for programs to aid individuals with disabilities in accessing disability benefits. To qualify for consideration under subsection (2) of this section, a nonprofit organization must be based in Colorado and: (a) Be governed by a board: (I) That is composed of persons with a demonstrated commitment to improving the lives of recipients with disabilities; (II) That includes members who understand a range of disabilities; and (III) A majority of the members of which are individuals with disabilities, individuals with immediate family members who are individuals with disabilities, or individuals who are caregivers to a family member who is an individual with a disability; or (b) Have a contract with an organization that meets the criteria in subsection (1)(a) of this section to assume the disability perspective approved by the committee. (1.5) To qualify for consideration under subsection (2) of this section, a county department of human services or a county department of social services must meet the requirement of subsection (1)(b) of this section. (2) (a) (I) The committee shall review the proposed programs and shall award a contract or grant to one or more of the entities that best meet the requirements of this section. (II) The term of each contract or grant is up to three years. The committee shall include evaluation criteria in the contract with metrics that must be met at least once a year to continue funding. (b) The committee shall not award a contract or grant unless the proposal includes: (I) A system for evaluating whether an individual with a disability is reasonably able to navigate the application process to obtain disability benefits, health care, and employment; (II) A system for prioritizing the need of applicants based upon the evaluations; (III) A plan for assisting individuals with disabilities in navigating the processes of obtaining and retaining disability benefits, health care, and employment; (IV) A plan for establishing working relationships with state agencies, county departments of human or social services, health-care providers, the United States social security administration, and the business community; (V) A policy of preferential hiring of individuals with disabilities; (VI) Reasonable standards for accounting control of expenditures; and (VII) Metrics to evaluate the program's quality and cost-effectiveness. (c) The committee shall not discriminate against an applicant based on the applicant's advocacy concerning individuals with disabilities. (d) To the greatest extent possible, the committee shall ensure, through one or more contracts or grants pursuant to this section, that individuals with disabilities are served statewide. (3) An entity awarded a contract or grant under this section shall make quarterly reports of expenditures to the committee. The committee shall include in the contract or grant a method and format for making the reports. Source: L. 2024: Entire article added, (HB 24-1360), ch. 324, p. 2161, � 2, effective July 1. Editor's note: This section is similar to former � 24-30-2204 as it existed prior to 2024.