30:4-177.54 Findings, declarations relative to funding for community mental health, developmental disability services
2. The Legislature finds and declares that:
a. It is desirable for persons with serious mental illness, including children and adolescents with serious emotional disturbances, as well as persons with developmental disabilities, to receive treatment in their home community;
b. The availability of a range of community-based services will enable many persons who might otherwise require continued institutionalization to return to the community and allow the State to reduce its longstanding reliance on State inpatient care for adults with serious mental illness, and children and adolescents with serious emotional disturbances, as well as persons with developmental disabilities. As more services are provided at the local level, there is a compelling State interest in assuring that these services are coordinated and that resources are provided throughout the State; and
c. As expenditures for State inpatient resources are reduced, additional funding should be invested in community-based mental health services for persons with serious mental illness, including children and adolescents with serious emotional disturbances, as well as community-based services for persons with developmental disabilities.
L.1997,c.258,s.2.