Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 39, September 25, 2024
(a) Participation in the community based
service system by a local governmental unit shall be contingent upon an
affirmative election by the local governmental unit, the approval of the Office
of Mental Health and the availability of funds.
(b) A local governmental unit may elect to
participate in the expanded children's services program in conjunction with one
or more other local governmental units.
(c) A local governmental unit which elects to
participate in the expanded children's services program for children with
serious emotional disturbance shall be responsible for the coordination of all
such community based services within its defined geographical area. Such
responsibilities shall include but not be limited to the following:
(1) Identification of essential services in
the community based service system which shall include but not be limited to
the following:
(i) the capacity to perform
comprehensive assessments and ongoing treatment of children with serious
emotional disturbances and their families;
(ii) determination of access points to
community based services within the local governmental unit's defined
geographical location;
(iii) the
ability to provide emergency services that assure the safety of children and
are capable of beginning treatment when appropriate; and
(iv) case management for children and
families.
(2) Staff
support and coordination for the interagency group and its functions.
(3) The integration of community based
services for children with serious emotional disturbance into the area so as to
effectively maintain such children in the home and community.
(4) The integration of community based
services for children with serious emotional disturbance within the local
government plan of the geographical area to be served.
(5) The accommodation of the special needs of
ethnic minorities and non-English speaking children and families.
(6) Written agreements for services provided
in other geographic areas or by other providers of services.
(7) The establishment or identification of an
interagency group of providers of service, local education programs, parents,
advocates and consumers.
