Meeting Information Resources Reports Legislation Web Resources Contact Us
The purpose of this page is to keep Supported Employment Program Approved Service Agencies (PASAs) informed about upcoming Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) events and meetings, relevant legislation, resources, and other information related to Supported Employment.
Meetings and Events
HCPF will host a series of meetings related to Supported Employment services and the implementation of SB 21-039 which eliminates subminimum wage employment for individuals with disabilities and directs HCPF to add the following Medicaid waiver services:
- Support to provide line-of-sight supervision on the job, and
- Ongoing benefits counseling.
HCPF seeks to collaborate with providers, waiver members, family members, advocates, and case managers through a series of stakeholder meetings to develop these services in both the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Developmental disabilities (DD) and Supported Living Services (SLS) waivers. All interested stakeholders are welcome to attend.
Meeting Information:
December 6, 2023
April 20, 2023
October 4, 2022
October 25, 2022
November 10, 2022
Questions? HCPF_Supported.Employment@state.co.us
Reasonable accommodations for all meetings will be provided upon request for persons with disabilities. Auxiliary aids and services for individuals with disabilities and language services for individuals whose first language is not English may be provided upon request. Please notify John Barry at 303-866-3173 or John.R.Barry@state.co.us or the 504/ADA Coordinator at hcpf504ada@state.co.us at least one week prior to the meeting to make arrangements.
Resources
- Benefits Planning Provider Enrollment Instructions - Updated September 2023
- Supported Employment Provider Enrollment Instructions - August 2023
- Benefits Counseling Page - Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
Reports and Charts
Supported Employment Incentive-Based Pilot Report - August 2024
Elimination of Subminimum Wage-Annual Report - March 2024
Supported Employment 2022 Data Report - January 2024
Supported Employment 2021 Data Report - January 2022
Supported Employment Services Flowchart - May 2021
Legislation
SB 21-039 - Elimination of Subminimum Wage Employment
Senate Bill 21-039 prohibits an employer that does not hold a special certificate from the United States Department of Labor that authorizes the employer to pay less than the minimum wage to employees whose earning capacity is impaired by age, physical or mental disability, or injury from paying an employee below minimum wage. The bill phases out subminimum wage employment for employers that hold a special certificate and requires each employer that holds a special certificate to submit a transition plan to the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) detailing how the employer plans to phase out subminimum wage employment by July 1, 2025. On and after July 1, 2025, an employer is prohibited from paying an employee with a disability less than minimum wage regardless of whether the employer was issued a special certificate.
The bill requires the employment first advisory partnership in the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (partnership) to:
- Develop actionable recommendations to address structural and fiscal barriers to phasing out subminimum wage employment and successfully implementing competitive integrated employment; and
- Report the recommendations to the general assembly.
The bill continues the operation of the partnership, which is scheduled to be repealed on July 1, 2021, indefinitely.
The bill requires the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) to add employment-related services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. $82,641 is appropriated to HCPF to implement the bill. HCPF also expects to receive $391,075 in federal funds to implement the bill.
SB 18-145 - Implement Employment First Recommendations
Senate Bill 18-145 helped advance competitive integrated employment for people with disabilities by funding training and certification for Supported Employment Professionals
The requirements and funding for this bill expired July 1, 2024
SB 16-077 - Establishment of Employment First for Persons with Disabilities
Senate Bill 16-077 established:
- the increase of:
- the number of people entering the workforce and contributing to Colorado's tax base
- self-worth and dignity of people who are gainfully employed and working alongside people without disabilities
- opportunities to do meaningful and gainful work, lessening dependence on Medicaid and other public assistance
- opportunities for post-secondary education, including college and vocational training
- effectiveness of service systems currently serving people with disabilities who are seeking meaningful employment
Web Resources
- Supported Employment Training and Certification Resources Page
- Colorado Office of Employment First
- The Subminimum Wage Disability Pay Loophole Video - The Daily Show - October 2021
- Other Long-Term Services and Supports Programs
- LTSS COVID-19 Website
- HCPF COVID-19 Website