§7301. Legislative intent

1.  Findings.  The Legislature finds that:

A. In-home and community support services have not been sufficiently available to many adults with long-term care needs;   [PL 1981, c. 511, §1 (NEW).]

B. Many adults with long-term care needs are at risk of being or already have been placed in institutional settings, because in-home and community support services or funds to pay for these services have not been available to them;   [PL 1981, c. 511, §1 (NEW).]

C. In some instances placement of adults with long-term care needs in institutional settings can result in emotional and social problems for these adults and their families;   [PL 2009, c. 279, §2 (AMD).]

D. For many adults with long-term care needs, it is less costly for the State to provide in-home and community support services than it is to provide care in institutional settings;   [PL 2009, c. 279, §2 (AMD).]

E. The majority of adults with long-term care needs have indicated a preference to remain in their own homes and in community settings rather than having their needs met in institutional settings;   [PL 2009, c. 279, §2 (NEW).]

F. For many adults with long-term care needs and their families, the process to identify and secure appropriate services may be confusing and difficult to navigate; and   [PL 2009, c. 279, §2 (NEW).]

G. A sustainable system of long-term care to meet the needs of citizens must emphasize in-home and community support services that capitalize upon personal and family responsibility.   [PL 2009, c. 279, §2 (NEW).]

[PL 2009, c. 279, §2 (AMD).]

2.  Policy.  The Legislature declares that it is the policy of this State, with regard to in-home and community support services:

A. To increase the availability of long-term care services that are consumer-driven, optimize individual choice and autonomy and maximize physical health, mental health, functional well-being and independence for adults with long-term care needs through high-quality services and supports in settings that reflect the needs and choices of consumers and that are delivered in the most flexible, innovative and cost-effective manner;   [PL 2009, c. 279, §2 (AMD); PL 2009, c. 420, §1 (AMD).]

B. That the priority recipients of in-home and community support services, pursuant to this subtitle, must be adults with long-term care needs who are at the greatest risk without needed in-home and community support services;   [PL 2009, c. 279, §2 (AMD); PL 2009, c. 420, §1 (AMD).]

C. That a variety of agencies, facilities and individuals must be encouraged to provide in-home and community support services and to increase the percentages of adults with long-term care needs receiving in-home and community support services provided by persons who are employed as personal care assistants or direct support aides or by other providers. For the purposes of this paragraph, "direct support aide" means a personal care worker or direct support worker who provides a range of services, including personal daily living supports, health supports and community supports, to adults with long-term care needs;   [PL 2009, c. 546, §1 (AMD).]

D. To promote and encourage public and private partnerships among a variety of agencies, facilities and individuals;   [PL 2009, c. 279, §2 (NEW); PL 2009, c. 420, §1 (NEW).]

E. To support the roles of family caregivers and a qualified workforce in the effort to streamline and facilitate access to high-quality services in the least restrictive and most integrated settings; and   [PL 2009, c. 279, §2 (NEW); PL 2009, c. 420, §1 (NEW).]

F. To establish the most efficient and cost-effective system for delivering a broad array of long-term care services.   [PL 2009, c. 546, §2 (RPR).]

[PL 2009, c. 546, §§1, 2 (AMD).]

SECTION HISTORY

PL 1981, c. 511, §1 (NEW). PL 2009, c. 279, §2 (AMD). PL 2009, c. 420, §1 (AMD). PL 2009, c. 546, §§1, 2 (AMD).