§ 19-J:6 — Duties and Powers

The council shall have the following duties and powers:
I. To develop a state plan for the inclusion, integration, productivity, independence, and self-determination of people with developmental disabilities in New Hampshire and implement programs, projects, and activities to implement that plan.
II. To support and conduct outreach activities to identify individuals with developmental disabilities and their families who otherwise might not come to the attention of the council or existing service systems.
III. To support and conduct training for persons with developmental disabilities, their families, and service providers to enable such persons to obtain access to, or to provide, community services, individualized supports, and other forms of assistance, including special adaptation of generic community services or specialized services, to people with developmental disabilities.
IV. To support and conduct technical assistance activities to assist public and private entities to contribute to the achievement of the purpose of the DD Act.
V. To support and conduct activities to assist neighborhoods and communities to respond positively to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families by encouraging local networks to provide informal and formal supports; through education; and by enabling neighborhoods and communities to offer such individuals and their families access to and use of services, resources, and opportunities.
VI. To support and conduct activities to promote interagency collaboration and coordination to better serve, support, assist, or advocate for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.
VII. To support and conduct activities to enhance coordination of services with other entities authorized by federal or state law, concerning individuals with disabilities, and other groups interested in activities to benefit individuals with disabilities.
VIII. To support and conduct activities to eliminate barriers to access and use of community services by individuals with developmental disabilities, enhance systems design and redesign, and enhance citizen participation to address issues identified in the state plan.
IX. To support and conduct activities to educate the public about the capabilities, preferences, and needs of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families and to develop and support coalitions that support the policy agenda of the council, including training in self-advocacy, education of policymakers, and citizen leadership skills.
X. To support and conduct activities to provide information to federal, state, and local policymakers by supporting and conducting studies and analyses, gathering information, and developing and disseminating model policies and procedures, information, approaches, strategies, findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
XI. To support and conduct demonstrations of new approaches to services and supports.
XII. To support and conduct other advocacy, capacity building, and systemic change activities to promote the development of a coordinated, consumer and family-centered, and directed comprehensive system of community services, individualized supports, and other forms of assistance that contribute to the achievement of the purpose of the DD Act.
XIII. To adopt rules, pursuant to RSA 541-A, to carry out the council's duties under the DD Act and this chapter.
XIV. To conduct activities necessary to carry out the responsibilities of a Council on Developmental Disabilities as specified in the DD Act or as directed by the Administration on Developmental Disabilities, United States Department of Health and Human Services.

Legislative History

2006, 179:1, eff. July 1, 2006.