As used in this article, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) Base amount means the equal amount of funding an independent living center would receive to provide the five independent living core services throughout its service catchment area, regardless of any other factors.
(2) Cross-disability means, with respect to an independent living center, that the center provides independent living services to individuals representing a range of disabilities.
(3) Department means the department of labor and employment created in section 24-21-121, C.R.S.
(4) Executive director means the executive director of the department of labor and employment.
(5) Independent living center means a consumer-controlled, community-based, cross-disability, nonresidential, private nonprofit agency that is designated as an eligible agency under Title VII, section 725 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and that:
(a) Is designed and operated within a local community by individuals with disabilities; and
(b) Provides required independent living core services and programs and an array of expanded services.
(6) Independent living core services means:
(a) Information and referral services;
(b) Independent living skills training;
(c) Peer counseling, including cross-disability peer counseling;
(d) Individual and systems advocacy; and
(e) Transition services or diversion from nursing homes and institutions to home- and community-based living, or upon leaving secondary education.
(7) Independent living services means:
(a) Independent living core services; and
(b) Other services and assistance as defined by federal regulations.
(8) Individual with a disability means an individual:
(a) With a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities of such individual;
(b) With a record of such an impairment; or
(c) Regarded as having such an impairment.
(9) Office means the office of independent living services created pursuant to section 8-85-103 within the department.
Source: L. 2016: Entire article added with relocations, (SB 16-093), ch. 54, p. 126, � 1, effective March 23.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former � 26-8.1-102 as it existed prior to 2016.
8-85-103. Functions of office - functions of department - appropriations - rules. (1) There is hereby created within the department the office of independent living services. The purpose of the office is to oversee the contracts with independent living centers pursuant to this article.
(2) (a) Subject to available appropriations, the office may contract with independent living centers for independent living core services.
(b) The executive director shall review expenditures in accordance with the standards for independent living services set by the office pursuant to section 8-85-105 and the evaluation standards prescribed in section 8-85-107. The office may withhold state funds if the executive director determines that the programs of such independent living centers do not comply with said standards.
(3) For purposes of allocating money under this article, each independent living center shall submit to the office a proposed budget, which must include proposed expenditures, including proposed expenditures for services that the center intends to provide.
(4) On or before July 1, 2016, the department shall promulgate a rule for the block distribution of state money to independent living centers. The rule must include at least:
(a) A base amount of not less than six hundred thousand dollars; and
(b) Other factors agreed to by the independent living centers, which may include a per capita adjustment, a per county adjustment, or other adjustments.
Source: L. 2016: Entire article added with relocations, (SB 16-093), ch. 54, p. 128, � 1, effective March 23.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former � 26-8.1-103 as it existed prior to 2016.