61474757AF9749548725851400726979 Hearing Summary

Senator Fields recessed the committee.

Senator Winter reconvened the meeting.

Senators Fields and Lee, bill sponsors, presented Senate Bill 20-144l.  The bill creates a grant program in the Department of Human Services (DHS) to increase access to early childhood home visiting programs.  The purpose of the grant program is to improve children's school readiness.  The grant program has two cycles of three years each, and will award up to a total of $2 million in grants for each cycle. The State Board of Human Services may develop criteria for the grant program, including eligibility of applicants and home visiting program models, timeline, and review and selection criteria.  The grant program is repealed September 1, 2028. DHS is required to prepare an evaluation report for each grant cycle, and to present the report as part of its next SMART Act report to its committees of reference.

Mary Alice Cohen, Colorado Department of Human Services, discussed the bill and the need to work further on the bill's provisions.

Lauren Knudtson, Colorado Home Visiting Coalition, discussed the the home visiting program.

Melissa Buchholz, Children's Hospital Colorado, discussed the benefits of the home visiting program.

Christina Walker, Raise Colorado Coalition, discussed the services offered by the Raise Colorado Coalition and concerns related to the bill.

Senator Lee commented on the bill.

Senator Fields made closing comments and requested that the bill be postponed indefinitely.