36-554. Powers and duties of director

A. The director shall:

1. Be responsible for developing and annually revising a statewide plan and initiating statewide programs and services for persons with developmental disabilities in locations where the programs and services are necessary, which shall include:

(a) Child services, which may include infant stimulation, developmental training for pre-school children and special education at Arizona training program facilities for school-age, children with developmental disabilities residing at Arizona training program facilities who do not attend public school.

(b) Adult services, in coordination with the vocational rehabilitation services of the department, which may include but not be limited to job training and training and adjustment services, job development and placement, sheltered employment and other nonvocational day activity services for adults.

(c) Residential services, including various community residential settings, Arizona training program facilities and state operated service centers which provide varying levels of supervision in accordance with the developmental disability levels of the persons placed at such settings, facilities or centers. The department shall contract with private profit or nonprofit agencies to provide appropriate residential settings for persons with developmental disabilities which provide for regular assistance and supervision of such persons and which provide varied developmental disability programs and services on or near the community residential setting.

(d) Resource services, which may include comprehensive evaluation services, information and referral services and outpatient rehabilitation and social development services. The department in providing developmental disability programs and services shall whenever practicable utilize qualified private contractors. In selecting private contractors, the department shall utilize those contractors which can clearly demonstrate an ability to perform such contract in accordance with standards and specifications adopted by the department.

2. Establish standards, provide technical assistance, and supervise all developmental disability programs and services operated by or supported by the department.

3. Coordinate the planning and implementation of developmental disability programs and activities, institutional and community, of all state agencies, provided this shall not be construed as depriving other state agencies of jurisdiction over, or the right to plan for, control, and operate programs that pertain to developmental disability programs but that fall within the primary jurisdiction of such other state agencies.

4. Periodically assess the effectiveness of the quality assurance system as required by 42 Code of Federal Regulations section 434.34 as it pertains to developmental disabilities programs.

5. License community residential settings pursuant to this chapter.

6. Develop rules establishing a procedure for handling complaints about community residential settings.

7. Inform in writing every parent or guardian of a client with a developmental disability residing at or transferring to a community residential setting of the complaint handling procedure.

8. As new community residential settings are developed over a period of time, reduce the clientele at Arizona training program facilities to those persons with developmental disabilities who are required to be in Arizona training program facilities because the community lacks an appropriate community residential setting that meets their individual needs or whose parents or legal guardians want them in an Arizona training program facility.

9. In conjunction with the division, individuals with developmental disabilities and their families, advocates, community members and service providers, develop, enhance and support environments that enable individuals with developmental disabilities to achieve and maintain physical well-being, personal and professional satisfaction, participation as family and community members and safety from abuse and exploitation.

10. Do all other things reasonably necessary and proper to carry out the duties and the provisions of this chapter.

11. Adopt rules regarding procurement procedures similar to those found in title 41, chapter 23.

B. Programs and services offered pursuant to subsection A, paragraph 1 of this section shall be provided in cooperation with public and private resources that can best meet the needs of persons with developmental disabilities and that are located in the community and in proximity to the persons being served.

C. The director may:

1. Establish nonresidential outpatient programs for placement, evaluation, care, treatment and training of persons with developmental disabilities residing in the community who are not eligible for public school programs, and who do not have access to other state supported programs providing equivalent services.

2. Develop cooperative programs with other state departments and agencies, political subdivisions of the state, and private agencies concerned with and providing services for persons with developmental disabilities.

3. Contract for the purchase of services with other state and local governmental or private agencies. Such agencies are authorized to accept and expend funds received pursuant to such contracts.

4. Stimulate research by public and private agencies, institutions of higher learning, and hospitals in the interest of the prevention of developmental disabilities and improved methods of care and training for persons with developmental disabilities.

5. Apply for, accept, receive, hold in trust or use in accordance with the terms of the grant or agreement any public or private funds or properties, real or personal, granted or transferred to it for any purpose authorized by this chapter.

6. Make and amend rules from time to time as deemed necessary for the proper administration of programs and services for the treatment of persons with developmental disabilities, for the admission of persons with developmental disabilities to the programs and services and to carry out the purposes of this chapter.