§ 18986.2

It is the intent of the Legislature, in enacting this chapter, to encourage the development of a comprehensive and collaborative delivery system of services to children and youths at the state and local level and to offer fiscal incentives in the form of waivers and negotiated contracts to encourage collaboration. The goal of that collaborative system shall be to:

(a) Develop a service delivery plan which emphasizes preventive and early intervention services that maximize the healthy development of children and minimize the long-term need for public resources.

(b) Allow for flexibility of expenditures in public funds.

(c) Emphasize local decisionmaking and provide for greater flexibility to local government in designing delivery systems.

(d) Provide for a continuum of family-centered, child-focused services through public/private partnerships within the community.

(e) Minimize duplicate administrative systems.

(f) Identify gaps in services to target populations.

(g) Provide case management services to children and families with multiple needs.

(h) Involve school districts in the planning and delivery of coordinated services for children.

(Amended by Stats. 1991, Ch. 994, Sec. 2.)