(a) Consistent with state and federal law, the Legislature recognizes the right of adults with disabilities to reside in the family home. The Legislature further recognizes that adults with developmental disabilities, and their families, may need coordinated family support services that are tailored to the unique needs of the consumer and that are respectful of the language, ethnicity, and culture of the family home.

(b) The department shall establish a Coordinated Family Support Services Pilot Program for adults who live with their families. The pilot program may focus on improving equitable access to services and supports and reducing ethnic and racial disparities in purchases of services.

Terms Used In California Welfare and Institutions Code 4688.06

  • 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
  • Equitable: Pertaining to civil suits in "equity" rather than in "law." In English legal history, the courts of "law" could order the payment of damages and could afford no other remedy. See damages. A separate court of "equity" could order someone to do something or to cease to do something. See, e.g., injunction. In American jurisprudence, the federal courts have both legal and equitable power, but the distinction is still an important one. For example, a trial by jury is normally available in "law" cases but not in "equity" cases. Source: U.S. Courts
  • Family support services: means services and supports that are provided to a child with developmental disabilities or the child's family and that contribute to the ability of the family to reside together. See California Welfare and Institutions Code 4512

(c) The services provided by the Coordinated Family Support Services Pilot Program shall be flexible and tailored to assist the consumer to remain in the home of their family for as long as that remains the preferred living option for the consumer and their family.

(d) (1) Notwithstanding Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, the department may issue administrative program directives to ensure compliance with this section until the time regulations are adopted. It is the intent of the Legislature that the department be allowed this temporary authority as necessary to implement program changes only until completion of the regulatory process.

(2) Any regulation or administrative program directive issued pursuant to this subdivision shall include key elements of the Coordinated Family Support Services Program, including eligibility criteria, service design, and standards for vendors.

(3) The department shall collaborate with stakeholders to obtain input about key elements prior to the issuance of regulations or administrative program directives. Stakeholders shall include, but not be limited to, consumers and family members, including those from ethnically and racially diverse backgrounds, regional centers, the protection and advocacy agency described in subdivision (i) of Section 4900, the Office of Clients’ Rights as described in Section 4433, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, providers who deliver supported living services described in Section 4689, and providers with experience delivering services to adults living in the home of a parent or a family member, including independent living skills services described in Section 4688.05.

(Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 49, Sec. 24. (SB 188) Effective June 30, 2022.)