Section 13.01. Declaration of policy

The  state of New York and its local governments have a responsibility
  for the  prevention  and  early  detection  of  mental  retardation  and
  developmental disabilities and for the comprehensively planned provision
  of services including care, treatment habilitation and rehabilitation of
  their citizens with mental retardation and developmental disabilities.
    Therefore, it shall be the policy of the state to conduct research and
  to  develop  programs  to  further the prevention and early detection of
  mental  retardation  and  developmental  disabilities;  to   develop   a
  comprehensive,  integrated  system  of services which has as its primary
  purposes  the  promotion  and  attainment  of  independence,  inclusion,
  individuality  and  productivity for persons with mental retardation and
  developmental disabilities; to serve the full range of needs of  persons
  with  mental retardation and developmental disabilities by expanding the
  number and types of community based services and developing new  methods
  of  service  delivery;  and  to  improve  the  equity, effectiveness and
  efficiency  of  services  for  persons  with  mental   retardation   and
  developmental  disabilities  by serving persons in the community as well
  as those in  developmental  centers,  by  improving  the  conditions  in
  developmental  centers,  and by establishing accountability for carrying
  out the policies of the state with regard to such persons.
    To accomplish these goals and meet the  particular  needs  of  persons
  with mental retardation and developmental disabilities, a new autonomous
  agency to be known as the office of mental retardation and developmental
  disabilities has been established. The office and its commissioner shall
  plan and work with local governments and voluntary organizations and all
  providers   of   services,  and  persons  with  mental  retardation  and
  developmental disabilities and their families  and  representatives,  to
  develop  an effective, integrated, comprehensive system for the delivery
  of all necessary supports  and  services  to  all  persons  with  mental
  retardation  and  developmental  disabilities  and  to  create financing
  procedures and mechanisms to support  such  a  system  of  supports  and
  services  to  ensure  that  all  individuals with mental retardation and
  developmental disabilities in need  of  supports  and  services  receive
  appropriate and timely supports and services close to their families and
  community.  In  carrying  out these responsibilities, the office and its
  commissioner shall make full use of existing services in the  community,
  including  those  provided by voluntary and other service organizations,
  and within annual amounts made available shall add in-home,  residential
  and  day  service  and support capacity, to address the needs of persons
  with mental retardation and developmental disabilities.