1. (a) Pursuant to Texas Government Code, §2306.582, the Department has established Colonia Self-Help Centers in El Paso, Hidalgo, Starr, Webb, Cameron (also serves Willacy), Maverick, and Val Verde Counties.

2. (b) The Department has designated:

   1. (1) Appropriate staff in the Department to act as liaison to the Colonia Self-Help Centers to assist the centers in obtaining funding to enable the centers to carry out the center's Programs;
   2. (2) Five (5) Colonias in each service area to receive concentrated attention from the Colonia Self-Help Centers in consultation with the C-RAC and the appropriate unit of local government; and
   3. (3) A geographic area for the services provided by each Colonia Self-Help Center.

3. (c) The Department shall make a reasonable effort to secure:

   1. (1) Contributions, services, facilities, or operating support from the county commissioner's court of the county in which a Colonia Self-Help Centers is located which it serves to support the operation of that Colonia Self-Help Center; and
   2. (2) An adequate level of funding to provide each Colonia Self-Help Center with funds for low interest Mortgage financing, Grants for Self-Help Programs, revolving loan fund for septic tanks, a tool lending program, and other Activities the Department determines are necessary.
4. (d) The El Paso Colonia Self-Help Center shall establish a technology center to provide internet access to Colonia residents pursuant to the General Appropriations Act for the appropriate biennium.

Source Note:The provisions of this §25.4 adopted to be effective November 1, 2012, 37 TexReg 8500; amended to be effective August 3, 2014, 39 TexReg 5740.