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.(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.
[39-5100, added 1997, ch. 33, sec. 2, p. 57.]