DUTIES

The office shall:

(1) educate the public and attempt to promote sound public policy regarding the prevention of developmental disabilities;

(2) identify, collect, and disseminate information and data concerning the causes, frequency of occurrence, and preventability of developmental disabilities;

(3) work with appropriate divisions within the commission, state agencies, and other entities to develop a coordinated long-range plan to effectively monitor and reduce the incidence or severity of developmental disabilities;

(4) promote and facilitate the identification, development, coordination, and delivery of needed prevention services;

(5) solicit, receive, and spend grants and donations from public, private, state, and federal sources;

(6) identify and encourage establishment of needed reporting systems to track the causes and frequencies of occurrence of developmental disabilities;

(7) develop, operate, and monitor programs created under Section 112.048 addressing the prevention of specific targeted developmental disabilities;

(8) monitor and assess the effectiveness of divisions within the commission and of state agencies in preventing developmental disabilities;

(9) recommend the role each division within the commission and each state agency should have with regard to prevention of developmental disabilities;

(10) facilitate coordination of state agency prevention services and activities within the commission and among appropriate state agencies; and

(11) encourage cooperative, comprehensive, and complementary planning among public, private, and volunteer individuals and organizations engaged in prevention activities, providing prevention services, or conducting related research. Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 1209, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1989. Amended by: Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 837 (S.B. 200 ), Sec. 1.21(d), eff. September 1, 2015.