(a) For the purposes of this section and § 17a-22, “extended day treatment” means a supplementary care community-based program providing a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach to treatment and rehabilitation of emotionally disturbed, mentally ill, behaviorally disordered or multiply handicapped children and youths during the hours immediately before and after school while they reside with their parents or surrogate family. Extended day treatment programs, except any such program provided by a regional educational service center established in accordance with § 10-66a, shall be licensed by the Department of Children and Families.

(b) The goal of extended day treatment is to improve the functioning of the child or youth as an individual and the family as a unit with the least possible interruption of beneficial relationships with the family and the community. An extended day treatment program (1) shall offer the broadest range of therapeutic services consistent with the needs of the children and youths it serves, including, but not limited to, (A) a therapeutic setting, (B) the integration of the family into the treatment and the treatment planning process, (C) support and emergency services to families designed to allow continued residence of the children and youths in their homes, (D) professional clinical services, (E) access to educational services, and (F) the coordination of community services in support of the treatment effort, or (2) if provided for children requiring special education by a regional educational service center, shall offer such services as are specified in the prescribed educational program for each such child in accordance with § 10-76d.

(c) The Commissioner of Children and Families shall adopt such regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, as are necessary to establish procedures and requirements for the licensure of extended day treatment programs, except any such program provided by a regional educational service center.