WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER, Governor

(2)  Enhance the development, well-being and care of
special needs children through comprehensive prevention and
early intervention services;

(3)  Provide a continuum of effective care and
treatment for needy or troubled children at home, or in
out-of-home placements, where that is necessary;

(4)  Achieve prompt adoptions, or other supportive
long-term placements for children who cannot be returned to
their families; and

(5)  Rely primarily upon community based services
which impose the least restrictions that are consistent with
their effectiveness and the dignity and rights of the child
and family.

B.  The Subcabinet for Children and Youth consisting of the
Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Department of Human
Resources, Juvenile Services Agency, Office for Children and
Youth, and Office for Handicapped Individuals shall
supervise the project and establish governing interagency
coordination. The Director of the Governor's Office for
Children and Youth shall chair the project and the
Department of Human Resources shall be the lead agency for
the project.

C.  A Projected Advisory Council shall be established to
advise the Subcabinet for Children and Youth and the
Department of Human Resources on the progress of the project
and how it can best meet its goals. The Advisory Council
shall consist of no more than twenty members appointed by
the Governor, including representatives of State and local
public and private agencies which provide children and
family services, the General Assembly, the Judiciary, local
governments, advocates for children, and interested private
citizens. The Secretary of Human Resources shall be chair
of the Council.

D.  The pilot project shall be funded by State, federal,
local and private funds in accordance with the budget and
applicable State or federal laws and regulations.

E.  With the assistance of the Subcabinet for Children and
Youth, the pilot project shall:

(1)  Review State statutes and regulations concerning
children and family services and recommend changes believed
needed to achieve the goals of the project;

(2)  Develop and implement new local service delivery
systems in selected areas and then develop plans for
extending them promptly throughout the State with Governor's
approval;

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