The department must contract for respite services with at least three eligible community-based organizations or local governmental entities, and it must include support, monitoring, and caregiver service requirements in those contracts.
Sec. 161.154. RESPITE SERVICES CONTRACTS. (a) The department shall contract with at least three eligible community-based organizations or local governmental entities selected by the department to: (1) provide respite services; and (2) facilitate access to respite services. (b) The department may award a contract under this section only after issuing a request for proposals for the contract. (c) A community-based organization or local governmental entity is eligible to contract under this section only if the organization or entity has experience in and an existing procedure for: (1) coordinating support services for multiple groups of persons who need support services, including persons with a physical or intellectual disability and elderly persons; (2) connecting caregivers with respite services providers; (3) maintaining and providing information regarding available respite services; and (4) conducting public awareness activities regarding available respite services. (d) The department shall include in each contract with a respite services coordinator provisions requiring the coordinator to: (1) subject to the availability of money, provide vouchers for respite services to caregivers participating in the program who are not eligible for respite services provided through other programs; and (2) connect caregivers participating in the program with available respite services. (e) The department shall provide each community-based organization or local governmental entity with which the department contracts under this subchapter with: (1) technical assistance; and (2) policy and program development support. (f) The department shall monitor a contractor's performance under a contract entered into under this subchapter using clearly defined and measurable performance objectives. Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 330 (H.B. 802), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.