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</v:background></xml><![endif]--><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:windowtext'>I learned of this law, signed by the Governor. Although the NFBCO did not have anything to do with this, I think it is a good step for our deaf/blind kids.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:windowtext'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:windowtext'>Peggy<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:windowtext'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:15.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:gray;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:.4pt;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:15.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:gray;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:.4pt;mso-ligatures:none'>HB23-1067<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:7.5pt'><span style='font-size:24.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'>Family Intervener Program Deafblind Children</span><span style='font-size:24.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:windowtext;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-ligatures:none'>Concerning creation of a family and community intervener program to support children experiencing deafblindness, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation.</span><span style='mso-ligatures:none'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:gray;text-transform:uppercase;mso-ligatures:none'>SESSION: </span><span style='mso-ligatures:none'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>2023 Regular Session<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:gray;text-transform:uppercase;mso-ligatures:none'>SUBJECTS: </span><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>Health Care & Health Insurance<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>Human Services<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>Public Health<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:gray;text-transform:uppercase;mso-ligatures:none'>BILL SUMMARY</span><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-indent:37.5pt;background:white'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:#282924;mso-ligatures:none'>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.</span><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:#282924;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-indent:37.5pt;background:white'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:#282924;mso-ligatures:none'>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".<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-indent:37.5pt;background:white'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:#282924;mso-ligatures:none'>The program is funded through the Colorado telephone users with disabilities fund.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:windowtext'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal>Signed into law May 15, 2023.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:windowtext'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p></div></body></html>