A. Subject to the availability of funds, the State Department of Rehabilitation Services shall:

1. Establish a program to broaden the availability of support service providers (SSPs) in the deaf-blind community;

2. Develop a mission statement for the program and promulgate rules necessary to implement and administer the program;

3. Provide grants to SSPs and organizations that provide services for deaf-blind adults or deaf-blind children and their families. The services shall include but are not limited to:

a.transportation for doctor appointments, shopping or errands,

b.reading mail or other correspondence,

c.making telephone calls,

d.recreation or wellness activities,

e.civic or religious activities,

f.deaf-blind meetings or events, and

g.occasional special events such as weddings, funerals or religious ceremonies.

The Department may prioritize and limit the amount and scope of services offered subject to funding limitations and considering the needs of the deaf-blind recipients and their families; and

4. Use a request-for-proposal process to award grants to SSPs. SSPs that receive grants pursuant to this section may expend the grant monies for any purpose authorized in this subsection. The total amount of grants awarded pursuant to this section shall not exceed Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($300,000.00) annually.

B. After establishing a program pursuant to subsection A of this section and subject to the availability of funds, the Department may develop a certification requirement and training program for SSPs and organizations that provide services for deaf-blind adults or deaf-blind children and their families with the primary priority of service to the deaf-blind recipients and their families.

C. The structure and scope of the program established in subsection A of this section may be expanded upon legislative approval and funding. The program shall be aligned with other initiatives of the Department to avoid duplication or overlap of services or programming; however, the Department may use a combination of services or programs to provide a comprehensive support program for deaf-blind adults or deaf-blind children and their families. The Department may solicit and accept private or public funds from individuals and entities to implement and administer the program.

D. There is hereby created in the State Treasury a revolving fund for the State Department of Rehabilitation Services to be designated the "Support Service Providers Grant Program Fund". The fund shall be a continuing fund, not subject to fiscal year limitations. The fund shall consist of monies appropriated to the Department by the State Legislature and any other monies acquired by the Department pursuant to subsection C of this section. All monies accruing to the credit of the fund are hereby appropriated and may be budgeted and expended by the Department in order to carry out the duties imposed in this section. Expenditures from the Support Service Providers Grant Program Fund shall be made upon warrants issued by the State Treasurer against claims filed as prescribed by law with the Director of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services for approval and payment.

Added by Laws 2018, c. 141, § 2.