The Department's goals and national goals as outlined in federal legislation form the basis for prioritizing proposed social services. These goals currently are:

1. (a) State Goals.

   1. 1. Achieving or maintaining economic self-support to prevent, reduce or eliminate dependency;
   2. 2. Achieving or maintaining self-sufficiency, including reduction or prevention of dependency;
   3. 3. Preventing or remedying neglect, abuse or exploitation of children and adults unable to protect their own interests; or preserving, rehabilitating or reuniting families;
   4. 4. Preventing or reducing inappropriate institutional care by providing for community-based care, home-based care or other forms of less-intensive care; or
   5. 5. Securing referral or admission for institutional care when other forms of care are not appropriate or providing services to individuals in institutions.

2. (b) National Goals.

   1. 1. To seek out and prevent or remedy abuse, neglect, exploitation or dependency among eligible individuals unable to protect themselves;
   2. 2. To enable low-income individuals and families to meet minimal economic needs;
   3. 3. To enable individuals eligible for departmental programs to live at a level and setting consistent with their functional capacity; and
   4. 4. To increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the programs and services provided by the Department.

Statutory Authority: Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981, P.L. 97-35, 42 U.S.C. 1397; Code of Ala. 1975, §§38-2-6, 38-7-1 through -17, 38-9-1 through -11.

History: Effective June 28, 1983.