The Florida Senate

393.502  Family care councils.--

(1)  CREATION; APPOINTMENT.--There shall be established and located within each service district of the Department of Children and Family Services a family care council. The council shall consist of nine persons recommended and appointed by the district health and human services board. One-half of the members of the council must be consumers who are family members or legal guardians of persons with developmental disabilities. At least one-half of the members of the council shall be current consumers of developmental services. A chairperson for the council must be chosen by the members to serve for 1 year. Members shall be appointed for a 2-year term and may be reappointed to not more than one additional term. A person who is currently serving on another board or council of the department may not be appointed to a family care council.

(2)  MEETINGS; CONTINUED EXISTENCE.--Council members shall serve on a voluntary basis without payment for their services. The council shall meet at least once a month.

(3)  PURPOSE.--The purpose of the family care councils shall be to advise the health and human services boards of the department, to develop a plan for the delivery of developmental services family support within the district, and to monitor the implementation and effectiveness of services and support provided under the plan. The primary functions of the family care councils shall be to:

(a)  Assist in providing information and outreach to families.

(b)  Review the effectiveness of developmental services programs and make recommendations with respect to program implementation.

(c)  Advise district developmental services administrators with respect to policy issues relevant to the community and family support system in the district.

(d)  Meet and share information with other district family care councils.

History.--s. 4, ch. 93-143; s. 94, ch. 99-8.