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 shall designate:

   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 CRAC 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.

Source Note:The provisions of this §25.4 adopted to be effective November 1, 2012, 37 TexReg 8500.