4697. (Added by Stats. 1998, Ch. 1043, Sec. 18.)

(a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:

(1) The methods of establishing rates of payment for providers of services and supports to persons with developmental disabilities in the community should reflect the actual costs of ensuring high quality and stable services.

(2) State law and regulations should reflect the type and design of community-based services and supports necessary to best meet the needs and choices of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

(3) The licensing, vendoring, and monitoring of service and support providers is necessary to ensure the safety and satisfaction of consumers and should be achieved in a manner that is respectful of consumer privacy and choices, responsive to consumers and families, minimizes complexity and duplication, fosters partnership between state agencies and regional centers and provider in the delivery of high-quality services and supports, and respond swiftly to protect the rights and health of consumers.

(4) System stakeholders must work collaboratively and continuously to ensure that the design, funding methodology, and monitoring of the service and support delivery system reflects the values and goals of those served.

(b) It is the intent of the Legislature that the State Department of Developmental Services facilitate joint meetings between system stakeholders, as appropriate, to review the service delivery system and make recommendations for change when desirable. The efforts may include, but are not limited to:

(1) The process by which regional centers vendor providers of services and supports and make recommendations for changes to improve the quality of services and supports and choices of consumers and families in selecting providers.

(2) Ratesetting methodologies and recommendations to maximize cost-effectiveness while emphasizing quality, variety, and flexibility in the delivery of services and supports.

(3) The various monitoring and oversight functions of state and local agencies and recommendations for improving effectiveness and minimizing duplication.