Source: http://www.wvwvermont.org/cgi-bin/vt_legis/fullchapter.cfm?Title=18&Chapter=204A&form_access_date=20140109
Timestamp: 2017-12-17 15:25:08
Document Index: 394567550

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 1', '§ 45', '§ 1', '§ 46', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 13', '§ 1']

T: 18 C: 204A - DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES ACT The Vermont Statutes Online
Sub-Chapter 1: Services To People With Developmental Disabilities And Their Families
(2) "Developmental disability" means a severe, chronic disability of a person that is manifested before the person reaches the age of 18 and results in:
(7) "System of care plan" means the plan adopted pursuant to section 8725 of this title and that describes funding and services to be provided to people with developmental disabilities and their families. (Added 1995, No. 174 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2005, No. 174 (Adj. Sess.), § 45.)
(1) Promote the principles stated in section 8724 of this title and shall carry out all functions, powers, and duties required by this chapter by collaborating and consulting with people with developmental disabilities, their families, guardians, community resources, organizations, and people who provide services throughout the state.
(2) Develop and maintain an equitably and efficiently allocated statewide system of community-based services that reflect the choices and needs of people with developmental disabilities and their families.
(3) Acquire and administer funding for these services and identify needed resources and legislation.
(4) Establish a statewide procedure for applying for services.
(5) Facilitate or provide pre-service or in-service training and technical assistance to service providers consistent with the system of care plan.
(6) Provide quality assessment and quality improvement support for the services provided throughout the state.
(7) Encourage the establishment and development of locally administered and locally controlled nonprofit services for people with developmental disabilities based on the specific needs of individuals and their families.
(8) Promote and facilitate participation by people with developmental disabilities and their families in activities and choices that affect their lives and in designing services that reflect their unique needs, strengths, and cultural values.
(9) Promote positive images and public awareness of people with developmental disabilities and their families.
(10) Certify services that are paid for by the department.
(11) Establish a procedure for investigation and resolution of complaints regarding the availability, quality, and responsiveness of services provided throughout the state. (Added 1995, No. 174 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2005, No. 174 (Adj. Sess.), § 46.)
(1) Children's services. Children, regardless of the severity of their disability, need families and enduring relationships with adults in a nurturing home environment. The quality of life of children with developmental disabilities, their families and communities is enhanced by caring for children within their own homes. Children with disabilities benefit by growing up in their own families; families benefit by staying together; and communities benefit from the diversity that is provided when people with varying abilities are included.
(2) Adult services. Adults, regardless of the severity of their disability, can make decisions for themselves, can live in typical homes and can contribute as citizens to the communities where they live.
(3) Full information. In order to make good decisions, people with developmental disabilities and their families need complete information about the availability, choices, and costs of services, how the decision making process works, and how to participate in that process.
(a) No later than July 1, 1997, and every three years thereafter, the department shall adopt a plan for the nature, extent, allocation, and timing of services that will be provided to people with developmental disabilities and their families. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, it is not required that the plan be adopted pursuant to 3 V.S.A. chapter 25. Each plan shall include:
(3) a process for evaluating and assessing the success of programs.
(b) Each plan shall be based upon information obtained from people with developmental disabilities, their families, guardians, and people who provide the services and shall include a comprehensive needs assessment, demographic information about people with developmental disabilities, information about existing services used by individuals and their families, characteristics of unserved and under served individuals and populations and the reasons for these gaps in service, and the varying community needs and resources. The commissioner shall determine the priorities of the plan based on funds available to the department.
(c) No later than 60 days before adopting the plan, the commissioner shall submit the proposed plan to the advisory board, established in section 8733 of this title, for advice and recommendations.
(d) The department shall report annually to the governor and the general assembly regarding implementation of the plan and shall make annual revisions as needed. (Added 1995, No. 174 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
(2) A format and procedures for processing applications for services, including time frames, emergency procedures and notice of determination.
(2) The secretary of human services shall review all decisions and orders of the board issued under this subsection and shall adopt a decision or order of the board except that the secretary may reverse or modify any decision or order of the board if:
(A) the board's findings of fact lack support in the record; or
(B) the decision or order implicates the validity or applicability of any rule or policy of the agency.
The secretary shall issue a written decision stating the legal, factual or policy basis for reversing or modifying a decision or order of the board. The secretary shall approve, modify or reverse a decision or order of the board within 15 days of the date of the decision or order. If the secretary fails to issue a written decision within 15 days, the decision and order of the board shall be deemed to be approved by the secretary. A decision and order of the board under this subsection shall become the final and binding decision of the department upon approval by the secretary.
(9) Have access to, read and challenge any information contained in any records about the person that are maintained by the department or any agency or program funded by the department and to file a written statement in the record regarding any portion of the record with which the person disagrees.
(1) Receive services without relinquishing custody of a child or children except when custody is terminated in accordance with Vermont law.
(4) Be free from retaliation for making a complaint, voicing a grievance, recommending a change in policy or exercising a legal right.
Any payment to an eligible family for the support of a person with a developmental disability constitutes a state benefit, and shall not be deemed to be income for the purposes of state taxation or of determining eligibility for any income-related state benefits, but may be included in household income for purposes of 32 V.S.A. chapter 154 as provided in section 6061 of that chapter. (Added 1995, No. 174 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2005, No. 185 (Adj. Sess.), § 13a.)
(c) The department shall adopt rules for training standards that ensure that individual support staff understands the philosophy and values that underlie the services and that they acquire the skills necessary to implement the purposes and principles of this subchapter and to address the individual needs of the person or family for whom they provide services.
(d) All staff and all family-directed respite workers shall be trained in the requirements of 33 V.S.A. chapter 69, relating to reports of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of elderly and disabled adults, and the requirements of 33 V.S.A. chapter 49, subchapter 2, relating to reports of suspected abuse or neglect of children. (Added 1995, No. 174 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
(a) An advisory board is created to advise the department on the status and needs of people with developmental disabilities and their families. The board shall also advise the commissioner regarding the development of the system of care plan described in section 8725 of this title and recommend legislation, rules, policies, and standards to implement the system of care plan.
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18 204A DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES ACT 2012-01-01 2013-06-30
18 204A DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES ACT 2013-07-01 2099-12-31