3886

VETOES

(2) "FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES" INCLUDES:

(I)  INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY COUNSELING;

(II)  PERSONAL CARE;

(III)  DAY CARE;

(IV)  SPECIALIZED EQUIPMENT;

(V)  HEALTH SERVICES;

(VI)  RESPITE CARE;

(VII)  HOUSING ADAPTATIONS;

(VIII)  TRANSPORTATION; AND

(IX)  OTHER NECESSARY SERVICES.

(F) "PROGRAM" MEANS THE FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES PROGRAM.
15-202.

(A)  THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FINDS AND DECLARES THAT:

(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