The RLDSN Board will serve the following functions: 

Develop Long-Range Plans:  By law, the Richland/Lexington Disabilities and Special Needs Board is the primary administrative, planning, coordinating and service delivery body for citizens of all ages of the counties with:  autism, intellectual disability and related disabilities, head injuries, spinal cord injuries and similar disabilities.  The Board will partner with all stakeholders in a collaborative process to plan and implement strategies to meet needs.

Establish Contracts with qualified providers of direct services, service coordination and pilot initiatives:  SCDDSN should contract with the Richland/Lexington DSN Board for services in the two-county area.  The board will issue subcontracts to qualified providers.

Develop and implement quality assurance programs.  As the contracting agency, the board will insure a quality assurance system is available through the following strategies:

1.  Assuring that contracted services are evaluated on a timely and consistent basis to insure people are aware of the strengths and weaknesses of contractors;

2.  Terminating or reducing contracts if the provider does not meet the standards established by the Board and regulatory agencies; and

3.  Assuring that an independent entity will review and investigate reports of abuse, neglect, and/or exploitation. 

Serve as the fiscal entity for the clients.  All funds allocated to the support system in Richland and Lexington counties will be allocated through the Board.  The Board will establish a system based on personal choice that enables the people supported by the system to determine their own services and manage their budget.   

Establish and coordinate a human rights committee.  RLDSNB will establish a Human Rights committee to function in an advisory capacity.  The role of the Human Rights Committee will be to help safeguard the rights of people with disabilities and special needs.

Serve as an advocate for people with disabilities and special needs and their families for appropriate services, effective use of resources, and a flexible service delivery system. The Board will increase its advocacy, on both individual and system-wide levels, to insure that services are person-centered and funded efficiently and effectively by:

• Insuring that the services provided meet the highest standards of quality, care, sensitivity to diverse cultures, effectiveness, and efficiency;
•  Assuring that mechanisms are available to care for people who do not have a family or guardian support system;
• Informing people of the local, state, and national advocacy groups that can provide support, self-help, information, and guidance;
• Developing coordinated advocacy for appropriate services and awareness of the needs of people with disabilities in conjunction with other advocacy groups; and
• Educating local officials in Richland and Lexington counties in the functions of the Board, needs of our citizens, and requirements for their involvement.

Intake and Information: As the single point of entry into the support system, the Board will provide intake and information services by:

• Increasing community awareness of the Board, its mission and its role as the single point of entry and opportunities for service when needed;
• Providing an initial intake assessment; and
• Providing information and education on the service delivery system and policies and procedures.

Prevention Awareness:  In coordination with local agencies, the Board will increase community awareness of causes of disabilities and special needs and prevention measures.   The Board will actively lobby to change the existing laws, policies, and practices that inhibit prevention of disabilities.