The legislature of the state of Idaho finds that:
(1)  Families are the major providers of support, care, information, training, and other services to their family members with developmental disabilities.

Terms Used In Idaho Code 39-5100

  • Developmental disability: means a chronic disability of an individual which appears before the age of twenty-two (22) years of age and:
Idaho Code 39-5102
  • Family: means a group of interdependent persons residing in the same household and includes an individual with a developmental disability and one (1) or more of the following:
    • Idaho Code 39-5102
  • Outlays: Outlays are payments made (generally through the issuance of checks or disbursement of cash) to liquidate obligations. Outlays during a fiscal year may be for payment of obligations incurred in prior years or in the same year.
  • State: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the territories; and the words "United States" may include the District of Columbia and territories. See Idaho Code 73-114
    • (2)  Families with individuals who have developmental disabilities may experience extraordinary financial outlays, physical and emotional challenges, and daily stress.
    (3)  Failure to provide the necessary services and supports to families with a member with developmental disabilities can result in admission of the individual to institutional care.
    (4)  Flexible and coordinated support and assistance to families avoids duplication of services, uses existing resources more efficiently, and prevents gaps in services to families.
    (5)  A family’s ability to make informed decisions regarding in-home or out-of-home living arrangements for a member who has a developmental disability is critical to the quality and cost-effective care of their family member.
    (6)  Family support and in-home assistance promotes and enhances the family’s capacity to provide care.
    (7)  Family support and in-home assistance stimulates the formation of community supports to use public dollars more efficiently.
    Therefore, it is in the interest of the state of Idaho to provide in-home assistance for families for supports that enable family members with developmental disabilities to reside at home.