Community care for disabled adults program; powers and duties of the department.

(1) In each district, the department shall operate or contract for a community care for disabled adults program which shall have as its primary purpose the prevention of unnecessary institutionalization of disabled adults through the provisions of community-based services.

(2) Any person who meets the definition of a disabled adult pursuant to s. 410.603(2) is eligible to receive the services of the community care for disabled adults program. However, the community care for disabled adults program shall operate within the funds appropriated by the Legislature. Priority shall be given to disabled adults who are not eligible for comparable services in programs of or funded by the department or the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation of the Department of Education; who are determined to be at risk of institutionalization; and whose income is at or below the existing institutional care program eligibility standard.

(3) Each community care for disabled adults program shall include case management services and at least one other community service. Community services may include, but are not limited to, the provision of: adult day care, homemaker and chore services, escort services, group activity therapy, health maintenance services, home-delivered meals, interpreter services, medical equipment or supplies, respite care, and transportation. Case management services shall ensure that arrangements are made for appropriate services.

(4) If independent living is no longer possible for a disabled adult, the case manager shall assist the person in locating the most appropriate and cost-effective living arrangement in the least restrictive setting.

(5) Existing community resources available to disabled adults in each district shall be coordinated to provide a continuum of services. The department shall ensure that all available funding sources have been explored prior to using funds of the community care for disabled adults program. Funds appropriated for community care for disabled adults shall be used only for the provision of services to disabled adults, case management, and directly related expenditures. The department may provide advance funding for community care for disabled adults programs.

(6) The department and providers shall charge fees for services that the department provides a disabled adult whose income is above the existing institutional care program eligibility standard, either directly or through its agencies or contractors. The department shall establish by rule, by January 1, 1989, a schedule of fees based on the disabled adult’s ability to pay. Services of a specified value may be accepted in lieu of a monetary contribution.

(7) Providers and staff members in the community care for disabled adults program shall participate in training at least annually.

(8) Trained volunteers shall be used to provide services for the disabled adult.

(9) The department may conduct or contract for demonstration projects to determine the desirability of new concepts of organization, administration, or service delivery designed to prevent the institutionalization of disabled adults.