§ 8723. Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living; duties
The Department shall plan, coordinate, administer, monitor, and evaluate State and
federally funded services for people with developmental disabilities and their families
within Vermont. The Department shall be responsible for coordinating the efforts of
all agencies and services, government and private, on a statewide basis in order to
promote and improve the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities. Within
the limits of available resources, the Department shall:
(1) promote the principles stated in section 8724 of this title and shall carry out all functions, powers, and duties required by this chapter by
collaborating and consulting with people with developmental disabilities, their families,
guardians, community resources, organizations, and people who provide services throughout
the State;
(2) develop, maintain, and monitor an equitably and efficiently allocated statewide system
of community-based services that reflect the choices and needs of people with developmental
disabilities and their families;
(3) acquire, administer, and exercise fiscal oversight over funding for community-based
services, including the management of State contracts;
(4) identify resources and legislation needed to maintain a statewide system of community-based
services;
(5) establish a statewide procedure for applying for services;
(6) facilitate or provide pre-service or in-service training and technical assistance
to service providers consistent with the system of care plan;
(7) maintain a statewide system of quality assessment and assurance for services provided
to people with developmental disabilities and provide quality improvement support
to ensure that the principles of service in section 8724 of this title are achieved;
(8) encourage the establishment and development of locally administered and locally controlled
nonprofit services for people with developmental disabilities, based on the specific
needs of individuals and their families;
(9) promote and facilitate participation by people with developmental disabilities and
their families in activities and choices that affect their lives and in designing
services that reflect their unique needs, strengths, and cultural values;
(10) promote positive images and public awareness of people with developmental disabilities
and their families;
(11) certify services that are paid for by the Department; and
(12) establish a procedure for investigation and resolution of complaints regarding the
availability, quality, and responsiveness of services provided throughout the State. (Added 1995, No. 174 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2005, No. 174 (Adj. Sess.), § 46; 2013, No. 140 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)