2005 Vermont Code - § 301. — Social and rehabilitation services policy

§ 301. Social and rehabilitation services policy

It is the policy of the state of Vermont that:

(1) Social and rehabilitation services programs shall provide needed assistance, care and services to persons of the state and promote the well-being of persons of the state;

(2) Social and rehabilitation services programs shall contribute to the prevention of dependency and social maladjustment, and contribute to the rehabilitation and protection of persons of the state;

(3) Assistance, care and services shall be provided promptly, with regard for the preservation of family life and without restriction of individual rights or discrimination on account of race, religion, political affiliation or place of residence within the state;

(4) Assistance, care and services shall be so administered as to maintain and encourage dignity, self-respect and self-reliance;

(5) The programs of the department of social and rehabilitation services shall be designed to strengthen family life for the care and protection of children; to assist and encourage the use by any family of all available personal and reasonable community resources to this end; and to provide substitute care of children only when the family, with the use of available resources, is unable to provide the necessary care and protection to assure the right of any child to sound health, and normal physical, mental, spiritual and moral development. (Added 1973, No. 152 (Adj. Sess.), § 28, eff. April 14, 1974.)