The commissioner shall establish within the department peer support programs. Peer support programs shall:
- I. Foster the self advocacy skills, autonomy, and independence of individuals who receive services from the department.
- II. Ensure that individuals with disabilities are informed and involved in system-wide service planning, program evaluation, and educational and training activities.
- III. Provide information, networking, and assistance to local self advocacy and peer support organizations and activities.
- IV. Offer training and technical assistance to individuals with disabilities to advocate on their own behalf with regard to their health care and private managed care systems.
- V. Undertake other activities to foster the goals of this chapter.
Source. 2000, 100:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2001.