3120                                         LAWS OF MARYLAND                                     Ch. 617

(1)  THERE ARE OVER 2,500 DISABLED CHILDREN PLACED
OUTSIDE OF THEIR HOMES BY STATE AGENCIES;

(2)  BECAUSE OF A LACK OF SUPPORT SERVICES WITHIN THE
COMMUNITY, FAMILIES ARE OFTEN FORCED TO PLACE THEIR DISABLED
CHILDREN OUTSIDE THE HOME AND EXCESSIVE COSTS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH
CERTAIN RESIDENTIAL PLACEMENTS;

(3)  THE FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES PROJECT SPONSORED BY
THE MARYLAND STATE PLANNING COUNCIL ON DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
HAS DEMONSTRATED THAT DISABLED CHILDREN CAN BE RETURNED TO THE
COMMUNITY AND NEW RESIDENTIAL PLACEMENTS PREVENTED WHEN SUPPORT
SERVICES FOR FAMILIES ARE AVAILABLE;

(4)  FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES ENABLE FAMILIES TO
PROVIDE FOR THE NEEDS OF THEIR DISABLED CHILDREN IN THE LEAST
RESTRICTIVE SETTING;

(5)  MAINTAINING DISABLED CHILDREN WITH THEIR FAMILIES
HAS BEEN DEMONSTRATED TO BE COST EFFECTIVE; AND

(6)  THE MARYLAND STATE PLANNING COUNCIL ON
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES HAS OFFERED TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR A
FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES PROGRAM IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED
$210,000 IN FISCAL YEAR 1985 AND AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $110,000
IN FISCAL YEAR 1986.

(B) THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY DECLARES THAT IT IS THE POLICY OF
THIS STATE TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR DEVELOPMENTALLY
DISABLED CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES, TO PRESERVE FAMILY UNITY,
AND TO PROMOTE FAMILY STABILITY BY:

(1)  PROVIDING ESSENTIAL FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES TO
ASSIST FAMILIES IN CARING FOR DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED CHILDREN
IN THE HOME; AND

(2)  DIMINISHING THE USE OF RESIDENTIAL PLACEMENTS FOR
DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED CHILDREN.

15-203.

(A)  (1) THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND MENTAL HYGIENE SHALL
ESTABLISH A FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES PROGRAM IN MARYLAND.

(2) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL CONTRACT WITH PRIVATE
NONPROFIT COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS FOR THE PROVISION OF
FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES.

(B)  THE DEPARTMENT SHALL IMPLEMENT A SLIDING PAYMENT SCALE
FOR REIMBURSEMENT FROM FAMILIES FINANCIALLY ABLE TO PAY FOR ALL
OR PART OF THE SERVICES UNDER THE PROGRAM.

(C)  (1) BEFORE USING PROGRAM FUNDS, THE PROGRAM SHALL
COORDINATE AND ASSIST ANY ELIGIBLE CHILD AND FAMILY IN RECEIVING
SERVICES AVAILABLE UNDER EXISTING PROGRAMS INCLUDING: