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.