The bill amends with relocated provisions the human services referral service authorized by the Colorado 2-1-1 collaborative to provide assistance through the dissemination of information to residents of Colorado about applicable programs and services provided by government, private, nonprofit, and faith-based organizations and local communities regarding emergency shelter and food, as well as human services programs.
The bill requires the department of human services (department) to award an annual grant of $200,000 to the Colorado 2-1-1 collaborative for human services referral services and specifies the purposes for which the Colorado 2-1-1 collaborative and human services referral service provider may use the grant money.
The bill requires the Colorado 2-1-1 collaborative to provide one or more specific duties described in the bill. Human services referral services include, in part, providing statewide referral services; enabling referrals through telephone, text, chat, and e-mail; providing trained professionals to perform problem assessments and service navigation; and providing information regarding vital services, such as food and shelter.
The bill requires annual reporting by the department to certain committees of the general assembly.
The bill includes an appropriation to the department of $200,000 for the 2020-21 state fiscal year for the Colorado 2-1-1 collaborative.
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)

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Statutes affected:
Preamended PA1 (02/21/2020):
Introduced (01/30/2020):