2013 Minnesota Statutes

256C.261 SERVICES FOR DEAFBLIND PERSONS.

(a) The commissioner of human services shall combine the existing biennial base level funding for deafblind services into a single grant program. At least 35 percent of the total funding is awarded for services and other supports to deafblind children and their families and at least 25 percent is awarded for services and other supports to deafblind adults.

The commissioner shall award grants for the purposes of:

(1) providing services and supports to individuals who are deafblind; and

(2) developing and providing training to counties and the network of senior citizen service providers. The purpose of the training grants is to teach counties how to use existing programs that capture federal financial participation to meet the needs of eligible deafblind persons and to build capacity of senior service programs to meet the needs of seniors with a dual sensory hearing and vision loss.

(b) The commissioner may make grants:

(1) for services and training provided by organizations; and

(2) to develop and administer consumer-directed services.

(c) Any entity that is able to satisfy the grant criteria is eligible to receive a grant under paragraph (a).

(d) Deafblind service providers may, but are not required to, provide intervenor services as part of the service package provided with grant funds under this section.

History:

2007 c 147 art 7 s 61