(1)
Subject to the provisions of federal law, rules promulgated by the state board
pursuant to this section, and available appropriations, the payment types and
services specified in this section are available to participants in the Colorado works
program.
(2) Ongoing assistance payment. An assistance unit that applies and is
eligible for ongoing assistance shall, unless voluntarily and knowingly refused,
receive cash assistance, which is a recurrent cash payment. In addition to a cash
payment, an eligible assistance unit may also receive cash assistance in the form of
a cash-equivalent payment, voucher, or other form of cash benefit that is designed
to meet the basic ongoing needs of the persons in the assistance unit. Basic
ongoing needs shall consist of food, clothing, shelter, utilities, household goods,
personal care items, and general incidental expenses. In addition to cash
assistance, persons in an assistance unit that is eligible for ongoing assistance may
receive supportive services as described in this section.
(3) Short-term assistance payment. A participant may choose to receive a
short-term assistance payment, formerly referred to as a diversion payment, which
is a nonrecurrent, needs-based, cash or cash-equivalent payment designed to meet
the short-term needs of the participant. A short-term assistance payment is
designed to address a specific crisis situation or episode of need and is not
designed to meet the basic ongoing needs of the participant. A short-term
assistance payment may not extend beyond four months. In addition to a short-term
assistance payment, a participant who is eligible for short-term assistance may
receive supportive services as described in subsection (4) of this section. Short-term assistance payments include the following types:
(a) A standard short-term assistance payment, formerly referred to as a
state diversion payment, is a nonrecurrent, needs-based, cash or cash-equivalent
payment made to a participant who is eligible for short-term assistance.
(b) An expanded short-term assistance payment, formerly referred to as a
county diversion payment, is a nonrecurrent, needs-based, cash or cash-equivalent
payment made to a participant who is eligible for assistance pursuant to the
maximum eligibility criteria for nonrecurrent, short-term benefits established in the
state plan pursuant to section 26-2-712 (1), in the county-defined expanded
eligibility based on federal poverty and other standardized guidelines, and in county
policies.
(4) Supportive services. (a) An eligible participant may receive supportive
services, including but not limited to:
(I) Work subsidies such as payments to employers or third parties to help
cover the costs of employee wages, benefits, supervision, and training;
(II) Supportive services such as child care and transportation provided to
families who are employed;
(III) Refundable earned income tax credits;
(IV) Contributions to, and distributions from, individual development
accounts;
(V) Services such as counseling, case management, peer support, child care
information and referral, transitional services, job retention, job advancement, and
other employment-related services that do not provide basic income support; and
(VI) Transportation benefits provided under a job access or reverse commute
project to an individual who is not otherwise receiving assistance.
(b) A county may provide supportive services directly to an eligible
participant or through a contract or memorandum of understanding between the
county department and another agency, including but not limited to another county
department or a community provider.
(c) The state board shall promulgate rules pursuant to which a county shall
provide referrals for available supportive services to persons who apply for
assistance and to participants who are homeless or in need of mental health
services or substance abuse counseling or services. The rules shall not obligate the
county to pay for any supportive services to which a person who applies for ongoing
assistance or short-term assistance or a participant is referred.
(5) Individual development accounts. A county department may make
available opportunities for participants to have individual development accounts for
home purchase, business capitalization, or higher education in accordance with
federal law.
(6) Child care assistance. Subject to available appropriations and pursuant
to rules promulgated by the executive director of the department of early
childhood, a county may provide child care assistance to a participant pursuant to
the provisions of part 1 of article 4 of title 26.5 and rules promulgated by the
executive director of the department of early childhood for implementation of said
part 1.
(7) Substance abuse control program. A county may elect to implement a
Colorado works controlled substance abuse control program. Under such a
program, if the use of a controlled substance prevents the participant from
successfully participating in his or her work activity, the county department may
require the participant to participate in a controlled substance abuse control
program based in whole or in part upon a representation by the participant that he
or she is using controlled substances or upon a finding by the county department
pursuant to an assessment by a certified substance use disorder treatment provider
that the participant is or is likely to be using controlled substances. If a county
chooses to require the participant to participate in a controlled substance abuse
control program, the county department shall:
(a) Require the participant to be assessed by a certified substance use
disorder treatment provider and to follow a rehabilitation plan as a condition of
continued receipt of assistance under the works program. The rehabilitation plan
must be based upon the assessment and developed by a certified substance use
disorder treatment provider, and may include, but need not be limited to,
participation in a substance use disorder treatment program. This subsection (7)(a)
does not create an entitlement to rehabilitation services or to payment for
rehabilitation services.
(b) If required by the rehabilitation plan, conduct random testing of the
participant to determine whether he or she is remaining free of controlled
substances; and
(c) Impose on the participant any applicable adverse action for
nonparticipation in a work activity if the participant fails to follow the rehabilitation
plan, which nonparticipation may be evidenced by having a positive result on a
random test or refusing to participate in a random test pursuant to this subsection
(7). A county may not take adverse action against a participant for failing to meet
the requirements of the rehabilitation plan if the services required under the plan
are not available, if transportation or child care is not available, or if the costs of the
services are prohibitive.
(8) Job skills education voucher. A county department may provide a
voucher created pursuant to the provisions of section 26-2-712 (11) to a participant
for use at one of the community or technical colleges administered pursuant to the
provisions of article 60 of title 23, C.R.S., for the purpose of securing short-term
educational and academic skills training and job placement services.
(9) Repealed.