§333F-21 Provision of services; family and caregiver support. The director within the limits of state and federal resources allocated or available for the purposes of this chapter shall provide any services that may be necessary to maintain and enhance care giving in community-based homes for persons with developmental disabilities. For the purposes of this section, "family and caregiver support" means a flexible and varied network of support which does not supplant community resources, and which is capable of providing for the individual families caring for persons with developmental disabilities. These services may include:

(1) In-home and out-of-home respite services for families and care providers;

(2) The purchase of adaptive equipment such as bath chairs and special positioning chairs not covered by health insurance or other resources;

(3) Counseling services for families of care providers concerning stresses and feelings about caring for persons with developmental disabilities;

(4) Special supply purchases such as diapers and special clothing required by persons with developmental disabilities;

(5) Homemaker and chore services;

(6) Transportation services not available through existing resources in the community;

(7) Specialized therapy services for persons with developmental disabilities not available through insurance, medicaid, or other resources;

(8) Case management to help families and care providers coordinate and access services available to persons with developmental disabilities; and

(9) Provision, without regard to chapter 42F or chapter 103F, of modifications to dwelling units to enable persons with developmental disabilities with sensory limitation or mobility problems to reside in community homes which require adaptive and safety alterations such as the installation of ramps and porch lifts, bars and hand rails, widening of doorways, removal of other architectural barriers, and the enlargement of bath facilities to allow the movement and ensure the safety of the person with developmental disabilities; provided that:

(A) There shall be an agreement between the care provider and the department to ensure continued care in the home where the modification is provided; and

(B) Modification costs shall be limited to the amount of funds appropriated for the program for any individual client. [L 1990, c 324, §2; am L 1991, c 335, §10; am L 1995, c 189, §12; am L 1997, c 190, §6]