Family Intervener Program Deafblind Children

The bill creates the family and community intervener program (program) to support children who are deafblind and their families. The program provides deafblind children the services of an intervener who is specifically trained in deafblindness, building language and communication skills, and intervention strategies with children who are deafblind and their community, families, and environment. The Colorado commission for the deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind (commission) shall contract with an intervener program manager (manager) who has oversight over the program, the intervener activities, and the outcomes for children who are deafblind.

Starting in 2025, and upon the approval of the department of health care policy and financing, the commission shall have the manager direct eligible children to receive intervener services through the home- and community-based services provided by the community first choice option of the federal "Social Security Act".

The program is funded through the Colorado telephone users with disabilities fund.

(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)