§ 7-707. Purpose

   (a) Findings. -- The General Assembly finds and declares that:

   (1) Persons with disabilities should be afforded the opportunity to achieve their maximum potential through increased independence, productivity, and integration into the community.

   (2) Services provided to persons with disabilities should be provided within a natural home setting in a manner that is responsive to the person's needs and does not overly intrude into the person's life.

   (3) Individual support services are flexible, creative services provided in accordance with unique individual needs.

   (4) Individual support services promote the development of the individual's inner strengths and encourage informal support networks consisting of family, friends, and the community.

   (5) The provision of individual support services is cost effective because reliance upon more expensive day and residential services is diminished.

   (6) Although the focus of the Individual Support Services Program is upon the adult with a disability, the provision of individual support services may begin with young adults in adolescence.

(b) Policy. -- The General Assembly declares that it is the policy of this State to promote the independence, productivity, and integration within the community for individuals with severe disabilities by providing an array of individual support services.

HISTORY: 1987, chs. 760, 761; 1988, ch. 6, § 1.