143B-177. Council on Developmental Disabilities - creation, powers and duties.

There is hereby created the Council on Developmental Disabilities of the Department of Health and Human Services. The Council on Developmental Disabilities shall have the following functions and duties:

(1) To advise the Secretary of Health and Human Services regarding the development and implementation of the State plan as required by Public Law 98-527, the Developmental Disabilities Act of 1984, by:

a. Identifying ways and means of promoting public understanding of developmental disabilities;

b. Examining the federally assisted State programs of all State agencies which provide services for persons with developmental disabilities;

c. Describing the quality, extent and scope of services being provided, or to be provided, to persons with developmental disabilities in North Carolina;

d. Recommending ways and means for coordination of programs to prevent duplication and overlapping of such services;

e. Considering the need for new State programs and laws in the field of developmental disabilities; and

f. Conducting activities which will increase and support the independence, productivity, and integration into the community of persons with developmental disabilities.

(2) To advise the Secretary of Health and Human Services regarding the coordination of planning and service delivery of all State-funded programs which provide service to persons with developmental disabilities by:

a. Gathering, analyzing and interpreting individual and aggregate needs assessment data from all State agencies that provide services to developmentally disabled;

b. Conducting special needs assessment studies as may be necessary;

c. Specifying and supporting activities that will enhance the services delivered by individual agencies by reducing barriers between agencies;

d. Identifying service development priorities that require cooperative interagency planning and development;

e. Providing coordinative and technical assistance in interagency planning and development efforts; and

f. Coordinating interagency training efforts that will promote more effective service delivery to persons with developmental disabilities.

(3) To advise the Secretary of Health and Human Services regarding other matters relating to developmental disabilities and upon any matter the Secretary may refer to it.