4D26F397723936FF872586C0006063A0 Hearing Summary

Representative Exum, bill sponsor, introduced HB21-1270. The Colorado Employment First Program, housed in the Department of Human Services (DHS), provides employment, education and training services to families receiving assistance under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The bill appropriates $3.0 million to DHS for the Colorado Employment First Program, which will allow the department to secure a matching federal grant. The funding will be used by county departments and a third-party partner to provide employment support and job retention services, and to support work-based learning opportunities for Colorado Employment First participants. Up to 10 percent of funding may be used by counties for administrative costs. The appropriation to the DHS may be used in FY 2020-21 and FY 2021-22.

Representative Caraveo, bill sponsor, gave opening remarks on the bill.

Committee members asked questions of the bill sponsors.

Dr. Ki'i Powell, Colorado Department of Human Services, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Joel McClurg, The Colorado Blueprint to End Hunger, testified in support of the bill.  Ms. Chaer Robert, Skills2Compete Colorado, testified in support of the bill.  The panel responded to questions from committee members.

Committee members continued to ask questions of the witnesses.

 

Submitted written testimony can be found in Attachment A.

Representative Exum introduced and described amendment L.001 (Attachment B).

Representative Caraveo and Representative Exum gave final remarks on the bill.