Who must approve the termination of services?

The necessity for approval of service termination by the Division of Developmental Disabilities and other relevant parties is rooted in ensuring a comprehensive approach to decision-making regarding the support and care of individuals with developmental disabilities. This process is designed to protect the rights and welfare of the individuals receiving services.

When agencies collaborate with the Division and relevant parties, it ensures that the decision to terminate services considers all aspects of the individual’s needs, available alternatives, and potential impacts. It prevents unilateral decisions that could adversely affect individuals and helps maintain service continuity or identify new resources.

This requirement emphasizes the importance of a multi-faceted review process rather than relying solely on the perspective of agency staff, the individual and their family, or merely governmental authorities. Engaging multiple stakeholders ensures that the perspectives and inputs of all those directly concerned with the individual's care are taken into account, thus promoting better outcomes and adherence to regulatory standards.