California Welfare and Institutions Code 4511.5 – (a) The Legislature finds and declares both of the …
(a) The Legislature finds and declares both of the following:
(1) Direct service professionals are critical to the provision of services and supports to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Terms Used In California Welfare and Institutions Code 4511.5
- Appropriation: The provision of funds, through an annual appropriations act or a permanent law, for federal agencies to make payments out of the Treasury for specified purposes. The formal federal spending process consists of two sequential steps: authorization
- Consumer: means a person who has a disability that meets the definition of developmental disability set forth in subdivision (a). See California Welfare and Institutions Code 4512
- Facilitation: means the use of modified or adapted materials, special instructions, equipment, or personal assistance by an individual, such as assistance with communications, that will enable a consumer to understand and participate to the maximum extent possible in the decisions and choices that affect the individual's life. See California Welfare and Institutions Code 4512
(2) In recognition of the value of the services provided by direct service professionals, additional training and development will enhance the services they provide and foster a more sustainable workforce.
(b) (1) With input from stakeholders pursuant to subdivision (c), the department shall develop or utilize existing curriculum to implement enhanced direct service professional training that promotes services that are person centered and culturally and linguistically sensitive, and that improve outcomes for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
(2) It is the intent of the Legislature to enhance the quality of services that consumers receive from their direct service professionals, including, but not limited to, improving direct service professional knowledge about general health and safety issues, employing principles of self-determination in order to promote dignity of the recipient and the provider, and working to improve quality of services and quality of life, including advancing health equity for consumers of regional center services.
(3) The training described in paragraph (1) in shall include, but is not limited to, all of the following elements:
(A) Competency based.
(B) Tiered training and certification.
(C) Continuing education.
(D) Outcome measures, as defined by the department, with input from stakeholders pursuant to subdivision (c).
(c) (1) The department shall consult with stakeholders throughout the implementation of this section. This consultation shall include facilitation of a process for providing input and comments on implementation.
(2) Stakeholders may include, but are not limited to, the following:
(A) Consumers and families across different geographic regions of the state and from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, diverse consumer age groups and disabilities.
(B) Regional center representatives.
(C) Service providers representing a diverse range of service types and models.
(d) Implementation of this section is subject to an appropriation of funds for this purpose in the annual Budget Act.
(Added by Stats. 2021, Ch. 76, Sec. 19. (AB 136) Effective July 16, 2021.)