§49-4A-6 Regional and state family support councils.
§49-4A-6. Regional and state family support councils.
(a) Each regional family support agency shall establish a regional family support council comprised of at least seven members, of whom at least a majority shall be persons with developmental disabilities or their parents or primary caregivers. Each regional family support council shall meet at least quarterly to advise the regional family support agency on matters related to local implementation of the family support program and to communicate information and recommendations regarding the family support program to the state family support council.
(b) The secretary of the department of health and human resources shall appoint a state family support council comprised of at least twenty-two members, of whom at least a majority shall be persons with developmental disabilities or their parents or primary caregivers. A representative elected by each regional council shall serve on the state council. The state council shall also include a representative from each of the following agencies: The state developmental disabilities planning council, the state protection and advocacy agency, the university affiliated center for developmental disabilities, the office of special education, the association of community mental health/mental retardation programs and the early intervention interagency coordinating council.
(c) The state council shall meet at least quarterly. The state council will participate in the development of program policies and procedures, annual contracts and perform such other duties as are necessary for statewide implementation of the family support program.
(d) Members of the state and regional councils who are a member of the family or the primary caregiver of a developmentally disabled person shall be reimbursed for travel and lodging expenses incurred in attending official meetings of their councils. Child care expenses related to the developmentally disabled person shall also be reimbursed. Members of regional councils who are eligible for expense reimbursement shall be reimbursed by their respective regional family support agencies.