The family support policy state plan must do the following:

1. (1) Focus on the family and the community of the person with a disability, including the parents of the person with a disability.
2. (2) Encourage a partnership among families, consumers, and professionals in the development of an individual family support service plan that begins within a reasonable time and that is periodically reviewed.
3. (3) Promote the participation of families of persons with disabilities in local step ahead councils.
4. (4) Foster the involvement of families and persons with disabilities in decision making, needs assessment, and providing services.
5. (5) Provide for the establishment of a systematic process for admission to participation in the family support program and other programs that help individuals and families identify and satisfy their health, education, social service, and other needs and choices.
6. (6) Encourage program flexibility as unique family needs change and provide flexible program funding for alternative choices.
7. (7) Examine funding mechanisms, including sliding fee scales and annual budgeting processes for the delivery of services.
8. (8) Promote a system of funding for family support services that follows the person receiving the services.
9. (9) Encourage interagency collaboration among different agencies and programs at the community level, with coordination and review by the office of the secretary of family and social services to ensure statewide coverage.
10. (10) Provide for the establishment of information and referral systems to determine gaps in services in the state and to develop a resource network that includes the public and private sectors.
11. (11) Encourage outreach to inform families and consumers of services and public and private agencies about the family support program. The outreach includes publishing a brochure listing service options and defining family rights.
12. (12) Promote training of personnel providing individualized support services and training of families and consumers on consumer empowerment and service availability.

13. (13) Promote a community centered approach to include the following:

    1. (A) Available services.
    2. (B) Public and private sector resources.
    3. (C) Governmental agencies.
    4. (D) Public and private agencies providing family support services.
14. (14) Promote integration of a person with a disability into the community.

As added by P.L.272-1999, SEC.26.