RESPITE SERVICES CONTRACTS.

(a) The department shall contract with at least three eligible community-based organizations or local governmental entities selected by the department to:

(1) provide respite services; and

(2) facilitate access to respite services.

(b) The department may award a contract under this section only after issuing a request for proposals for the contract.

(c) A community-based organization or local governmental entity is eligible to contract under this section only if the organization or entity has experience in and an existing procedure for:

(1) coordinating support services for multiple groups of persons who need support services, including persons with a physical or intellectual disability and elderly persons;

(2) connecting caregivers with respite services providers;

(3) maintaining and providing information regarding available respite services; and

(4) conducting public awareness activities regarding available respite services.

(d) The department shall include in each contract with a respite services coordinator provisions requiring the coordinator to:

(1) subject to the availability of money, provide vouchers for respite services to caregivers participating in the program who are not eligible for respite services provided through other programs; and

(2) connect caregivers participating in the program with available respite services.

(e) The department shall provide each community-based organization or local governmental entity with which the department contracts under this subchapter with:

(1) technical assistance; and

(2) policy and program development support.

(f) The department shall monitor a contractor's performance under a contract entered into under this subchapter using clearly defined and measurable performance objectives.