Colorado § 8-14.3-203 - Colorado veterans' service-to-career program - report.

§ 8-14.3-203. Colorado veterans' service-to-career program - report.

(1) One or more work force centers selected by the department pursuant to the grant program developed by the department in subsection (4) of this section may contract with a nonprofit agency to administer the program. Work force centers selected by the department and the nonprofit agency shall develop and expand programs to provide work force development-related services specifically tailored to the unique needs and talents of eligible participants. The services may include:

(a) Skills training;

(b) Opportunities for apprenticeship or internship placements, including an internship that allows for direct entry of eligible participants;

(c) Opportunities for internship placements for a specified and limited time period as long as the tasks performed by the intern do not replace the tasks currently performed by a paid contractor or employee;

(d) Opportunities for work placements with businesses or other organizations; and

(e) Support services, as needed.

(1.5) The department shall collaborate with stakeholders and, if feasible, develop a grant application form by March 1, 2019, so that a nonprofit agency may submit one application for multiple service centers effective with the fiscal year 2019-20 grant cycle.

(2) (a) If an internship, as allowable, is not fully funded by the employer, the employer and the work force center may share the cost of the hourly wage or stipend for the eligible participant, as determined by the work force center and as permitted under state and federal law.

(b) Repealed.

(3) The work force centers selected by the department and the nonprofit agency are encouraged to additionally provide services that include:

(a) Job fairs;

(b) Mentorship opportunities with professionals;

(c) Professional and industry-specific seminars;

(d) Career and professional counseling; and

(e) Counseling on educational and skills training opportunities available to eligible participants.

(3.5) Work force center staff shall vet potential program participants and leverage additional funding sources, including the act, to deliver comprehensive services.

(4) The department shall develop a grant process so that work force centers may apply for money to administer the program. Each work force center that wishes to administer the program must submit a grant application that:

(a) Describes the current services that the work force center offers and demonstrates that those services:

(I) Do not duplicate services currently provided under the act; and

(II) Will complement other services offered under the program;

(b) States how the grant money would enable the work force center to expand its services for the purposes of the program;

(c) Describes businesses or other organizations it is partnering with to provide the necessary services;

(d) Explains how the services will be tailored or specifically marketed to any subgroup of eligible participants, including:

(I) Eligible participants with significant barriers to employment, including those specified in 38 U.S.C. sec. 4100 et seq., such as veterans with bad conduct discharges;

(II) Veterans experiencing homelessness;

(III) Vietnam-era veterans who served for more than one hundred days between 1965 and 1975;

(IV) Eligible participants experiencing addiction;

(V) National Guard and military reserve veterans; and

(VI) Veterans who are not able to enroll under the act or who are enrolled under the act but could benefit from greater support; and

(e) Addresses any other requirements the department deems necessary.

(5) In selecting work force centers to administer the program, the department shall give preference to a work force center that:

(a) Partners with an agency that is an integrated service and support center for veterans and their families;

(b) Is located in the state of Colorado, in order to serve the highest number of eligible participants;

(c) Has existing programs or partnerships with businesses or organizations in the community to provide services appropriate to the program; and

(d) Has the capacity to provide a wide range of work force development-related services tailored to the unique needs of eligible participants.

(6) (a) Each work force center chosen to receive a grant shall use the money for direct services to eligible participants. Each work force center chosen to receive a grant shall report on the services offered; participation by each subgroup of eligible participants; the program's success measured through gainful employment and participation in skills training or educational programs of eligible participants; and any other requirements that the department deems necessary. Notwithstanding section 24-1-136 (11)(a)(I), the work force center shall submit the report to the department, which shall relay all information from the reports annually to the state, veterans, and military affairs committees of the house of representatives and the senate or to their successor committees.

(b) Repealed.

(c) Unspent money available at the end of each fiscal year rolls over to the next fiscal year to be spent in that year.

(d) Repealed.

Source: L. 2016: Entire part added, (HB 16-1267), ch. 187, p. 660, § 1, effective August 10. L. 2018: IP(1), (1)(b), (2), (3)(e), (4), (5), and (6) amended and (1.5) added, (HB 18-1343), ch. 242, p. 1504, § 4, effective July 1. L. 2023: (2)(b), (6)(b), and (6)(d) repealed, (3.5) added, and (6)(c) amended, (SB 23-302), ch. 411, p. 2440, § 2, effective August 7. L. 2024: (4)(a)(I) and (4)(d)(VI) amended, (HB 24-1450), ch. 490, p. 3405, § 10, effective August 7.