The Department may create a Family Assistance and Support Program to assist families in providing care at home for persons of any age with a severe or profound developmental disability, to prevent or delay the institutionalization of such persons or to permit the return of such persons from facilities to their families. As used in this Section, “families” includes foster families. The program may provide reimbursement for services or other need as specified in this Section only if payment or reimbursement for such services is not available through insurance or any other State or federal program. The Department may require documentation, where deemed appropriate by the Department, that other sources of payment or reimbursement are not available. Reimbursement is available under the program for special adaptive equipment, minor structural modifications to a residence or vehicle, adaptive clothing, medications, special dietary needs, and transportation to special services. The Department may also provide reimbursement for any other unusual expenses necessary for the maintenance of a person with a severe or profound developmental disability at home. Reimbursement to any family in any year under the program shall not exceed $2,500, except when the limit is waived by the Department in cases of extraordinary need as determined by the Department in accordance with rules adopted by the Department. Expenditures shall be subject to available appropriations for this program. The Department shall promulgate rules to implement and administer the program and establish criteria to assure equitable distribution of funds under this program throughout the State.
     An interim report and evaluation of the program shall be submitted to the General Assembly no later than June 30, 1988. A subsequent interim report and evaluation of the program shall be submitted to the General Assembly no later than January 1, 1989. The Governor’s Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities shall assist the Department in the evaluation of the program.