(a) The Individual and Family Support Program is created and shall be administered through a system of regional support councils and their affiliated community councils and a state council. One regional support council is created and incorporated as a private nonprofit corporation in each of the mental retardation regions as defined by the Department of Mental Health. The regional support councils and their affiliated community councils may receive and accept funds, real estate, and other items of value from state agencies and other organizations, and enter into any necessary agreements and contracts for the purposes of implementing this chapter. Councils may employ adequate staff personnel including a state coordinator to implement the program. If staff personnel are employed through a fiscal agent or other entity apart from the council, a memorandum of understanding which defines the roles and responsibilities of the staff shall be required.

(b) The following principles shall be adhered to in developing programs to support individuals with developmental disabilities and their families:

(1) Individuals with developmental disabilities and their families are best able to determine their own needs and should be empowered to make decisions concerning necessary, desirable, and appropriate services.

(2) Families should receive the support necessary to care for their children at home.

(3) Family support should be responsive to the needs of the entire family unit.

(4) Supports should be sensitive to the unique needs and strengths of individuals and families.

(5) Supports should build on existing social networks and natural sources of support.

(6) Supports may be needed throughout the lifespan of the individual who has a developmental disability.

(7) Supports should encourage the integration of people with developmental disabilities into the community.

(8) Support services should be flexible enough to accommodate unique needs of individuals and families as they evolve over time.

(9) Support services should be consistent with the cultural preferences and orientations of individuals and families.

(10) Support services should be comprehensive and coordinated across the agencies that provide resources and services, or both, to individuals and families.

(11) Family, individual, and community-based services should be based on the principles for sharing ordinary places, developing meaningful relationships, learning things that are useful, and making choices, as well as increasing the status and enhancing the reputation of the people served.

(12) Supports should be developed in the state that are necessary, desirable, and appropriate to support individuals and families.

(13) Developmental disabilities programs and policies should enhance the development of the individual with a developmental disability and the family.

(14) A comprehensive, coordinated system of supports to families effectively uses existing resources and minimizes gaps in supports to families and individuals in all areas of the state.

(15) Service coordination is a goal oriented process for coordination of the range of services needed and wanted by persons with developmental disabilities and their families, and is independent of service provision.

(c) State agencies and departments may enter into agreements, contracts, or grants with regional or affiliated community councils, families, caregivers, or individuals with a developmental disability to purchase or provide individual and family support.

(d) All volunteer council members shall be protected from liability stemming from the participation of the volunteer as provided in Section 6-5-336.