Section 26-2-308 - Colorado employment first - supplemental nutrition assistance program - federal match - legislative declaration - definition - repeal(1)(a) The general assembly finds that:(I) The COVID-19 pandemic that spread through Colorado beginning in February 2020 has led to extensive job loss throughout the state;(II) Persistent unemployment and loss of income as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic has led many Coloradans to rely on critical public assistance benefits, such as the supplemental nutrition assistance program, which helps struggling families pay for food;(III) In addition to providing essential emergency food assistance for Coloradans and their families, the supplemental nutrition assistance program also includes resources dedicated to employment, education, and training services, known as the Colorado employment first program; and(IV) The Colorado employment first program promotes long-term self-sufficiency and independence by preparing supplemental nutrition assistance program participants for meaningful employment through work-related education and training activities.(b) Therefore, the general assembly declares that investing state dollars into the Colorado employment first program will enhance the program's ability to help supplemental nutrition assistance program participants achieve economic self-sufficiency by drawing down a fifty percent federal match for the supplemental nutrition assistance program, which is a flexible source of support for workforce development services.(2) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires, "Colorado employment first" means the employment and training program within the supplemental nutrition assistance program.(3)(a) The state department shall direct county departments and any third-party partners to prioritize the money appropriated pursuant to subsection (4) of this section and the federal match to fund employment support and job retention services, as those services are described in section 8-83-404(5)(b), and to support work-based learning opportunities for Colorado employment first participants.(b) Any remaining money may be used to initiate and enhance current and additional state- or county-initiated third-party partnerships, which must include allowing third-party partners to receive and use state money and any money received through the federal match in order to provide Colorado employment first services to participants.(c) The state department, county departments, or any third-party contractor that receives state or federal money pursuant to this section may use up to ten percent of the money for administrative costs incurred implementing this section.(4) For the 2020-21 state fiscal year, the general assembly shall appropriate three million dollars from the general fund to the state department for the purposes described in subsection (3) of this section. If any unexpended or unencumbered money appropriated for the fiscal year remains at the end of the fiscal year, the state department may expend the money for the same purposes without further appropriation.(5) This section is repealed, effective July 1, 2024.Amended by 2022 Ch. 375,§4, eff. 6/3/2022.Added by 2021 Ch. 251,§1, eff. 6/17/2021.L. 2021: Entire section added, (HB 21-1270), ch. 1479, p. 1479, § 1, effective June 17.