SB 526 - Under this act, the Department of Social Services shall establish a program to provide a comprehensive system of service delivery, education, and residential care for youth with severe behavioral challenges or severe developmental disabilities. In order to be eligible for the program, a youth shall be under 21 years of age, in the custody of the Department of Social Services, and a team of professionals in the Department shall have made a determination that the needs of the youth cannot be met with existing programs. A youth under 21 years of age in a voluntary placement agreement may qualify for the program if he or she otherwise meet the requirements of this act and resources are available. The Department shall have the authority to contract with qualified services providers to provide services to the youth under this act. Such service providers shall be licensed or accredited in their respective fields of service, based in Missouri, and not-for-profit entities with a record of success in the areas for which they shall provide services and shall have the same qualified immunities from civil liability as other private contractors with the Department.
The Department shall be authorized to enter into memoranda of understanding with any facility or campus under state ownership, including those owned and operated by the Division of Youth Services and the Department of Mental Health, that are appropriate for the youth being served, including facilities that are under-utilized or vacant.
SARAH HASKINS