67-6708. RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES. The council shall:

(1) Serve as a forum by which issues and benefits regarding current and potential services and programs for persons with developmental disabilities may be discussed by consumer, public, private, professional and lay interests.

(2) Advocate for individuals with developmental disabilities and conduct or support programs, projects and activities that carry out such advocacy.

(3) Advise the executive and legislative branches of local, state and federal governments and the private sector on programs and policies pertaining to current and potential services to persons with developmental disabilities and their families.

(4) Submit periodic reports to the governor, the legislature and departments of state government on how current federal and state programs, rules, regulations, and legislation affect services to persons with developmental disabilities.

(5) Assess, review and/or monitor the services and programs being provided for individuals with developmental disabilities.

(6) Review and comment on all service plans and budgets of the state which will or may affect services and programs for persons with developmental disabilities.

(7) Review and comment on proposed state legislation and/or rules and regulations relating to services and programs for persons with developmental disabilities.

(8) Participate in community integration for individuals with developmental disabilities.

(9) In consultation with the designated state agency develop and adopt, and annually review and revise as necessary, a five (5) year strategic state plan. Such state plan shall be the state plan required to be submitted under P.L. 106-402, as amended, and shall describe how the council will conduct and support advocacy, capacity building and systemic change through:

(a) Outreach and identification of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families to assist and enable them to obtain services, supports and assistance;

(b) Training for individuals with developmental disabilities, their families and personnel to enable them to obtain access to the services and supports they need;

(c) Technical assistance to assist public and private entities to assist and support individuals with developmental disabilities in achieving independence, integration, productivity and self-determination;

(d) Support for and education of communities to respond positively to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families;

(e) Interagency collaboration and coordination;

(f) Coordination with related councils, commissions and programs concerning individuals with disabilities;

(g) Efforts to eliminate barriers to the access and use of community services by individuals with developmental disabilities, to enhance system design and redesign, and to enhance citizen participation;

(h) Public education activities regarding the capabilities, preferences and needs of individuals with developmental disabilities through coalition development, self-advocacy training and education of policymakers;

(i) Conducting studies, analyses, information gathering, and providing recommendations to local, state and federal policymakers in order to increase their ability to offer opportunities or enhance services to individuals with developmental disabilities;

(j) Demonstration of new approaches to services and supports for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families to assist them in achieving independence, integration, productivity and self-determination;

(k) Demonstration of new approaches to increase access to electronic and information technologies for individuals with significant disabilities; and

(l) Other advocacy, capacity building and systemic change activities to promote a coordinated, consumer and family directed comprehensive system of supports and services for individuals with developmental disabilities.

History:

[67-6708, added 1978, ch. 269, sec. 1, p. 621; am. 2002, ch. 113, sec. 8, p. 323.]