(a) Each regional board shall have the following duties and functions:

(1) To prepare, in consultation with consumers and families, community programs, hospitals, other public and private providers, and appropriate advisory and advocacy groups, an annual plan and mechanism for the funding and provision of all disability services in the region. The plan shall be submitted to the division at a time and in the manner specified by the division so as to ensure that the plan is a basis for the annual appropriations request. The division shall provide technical and professional expertise to the regional board upon request. Such plan may include, by way of illustration without limitation, the following:

(A) An estimate categorized by age group of the number of citizens residing in the region who require disability services and an estimate of the range of services needed for these citizens;

(B) A description of all facilities and programs, both public and private, which are available or which should be developed to provide adequate disability services in the area;

(C) An analysis of the regional availability of professional and other staff personnel trained in providing disability services and, if necessary, a proposal for recruitment and retention;

(D) A list of all public and private providers currently providing or available to provide disability services in the region;

(E) A description in order of priority of all proposed programs and disability services to be provided in the region, and the funds associated with the provision of these services, which description shall specifically address the interrelationship of programs and services and the mechanisms for ensuring effective client transition between and among such programs and services;

(F) A comprehensive plan for regular meetings, consultations, and coordinated planning efforts with and among all service providers, such as community programs, hospitals, and private contractors, and professionals in the region, which plan shall at a minimum address appropriate methods for sharing resources and expertise among service providers and professionals, mechanisms for resolving conflicts and resource allocation problems, and a process for ensuring ongoing dialogue among all providers regarding the most effective ways of meeting individual and community client needs;

(G) An analysis of the opportunities for coordination of disability services with other regional boards, agencies, and organizations as required in Code Section 37-2-9, which analysis shall include an overview of those specialized services and programs offered in other regions which may provide the most cost-effective means of meeting specific client needs and therefore would be utilized by a regional board which did not have such specialized services or programs; (H) A statement of the anticipated administrative and operating budget for the regional board, the executive director, and the staff of the unit;

(I) A detailed financial plan showing the costs of providing necessary disability services and all sources of revenue; and

(J) A consumer satisfaction survey conducted during the previous year in a manner consistent with policies established by the division;

(2) To provide, as funds become available, for client assessment and service authorization and coordination for each client receiving services within the region or funded by the regional board;

(3) To exercise responsibility and authority within the region in all matters relating to the funding and delivery of disability services; provided, however, that with the exception of services authorized under paragraph (2) of this subsection the regional board may not engage in the direct delivery of goods or services to individual consumers and is prohibited from providing on its own, without the use of an agent or agents, any direct disability services to consumers;

(4) To receive and administer grants, gifts, moneys, and donations for purposes pertaining to the mental health, mental retardation, substance abuse, and other disability services;

(5) To make contracts with any hospital, community service board, or other public or private providers without regard to regional or state boundaries for the provision of disability services, and to make and enter into all contracts necessary or incidental to the performance of duties and functions of the regional board and the unit;

(6) To encourage the development, in cooperation with the division, of private and public providers of programs and disability services which respond to the needs of consumers and families of consumers within the region;

(7) To submit annual reports to the division, the Governor's council, and such other agencies or individuals deemed appropriate, which reports shall evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of disability services in the region;

(8) To serve as the representative of the citizens of the area in regard to disability services;

(9) To receive and consider complaints and grievances submitted in writing by individuals, associations, or agencies involved with the delivery or receipt of disability services and, if deemed appropriate, to seek resolution, through processes which may include impartial mediation and alternate dispute resolution, of such complaints and grievances with the appropriate hospital, community service board, or other private or public provider of service;

(10) To assure the highest achievable level of public awareness and understanding of both available and needed disability services; and

(11) To visit regularly disability services facilities and programs which serve the region in order to evaluate the effectiveness and appropriateness of the facilities and programs in delivering services.

(b) In addition to its duties and functions, each regional board shall also have the following power and authority:

(1) To utilize the services of the Department of Administrative Services, the State Merit System of Personnel Administration, the state auditor, or any other agency of state, local, or federal government;

(2) To participate with other regional boards, the division, the department, local, state, or federal government agencies, educational institutions, and public and private organizations in the coordination of planning, research, service development, and evaluation activities;

(3) To work cooperatively with all units of county and local government, including the county boards of health, within the region;

(4) To establish goals and objectives, not inconsistent with those established by the division and the development, for its region; and

(5) To participate in the establishment and operation of a data base and network, coordinated by the division, to serve as a comprehensive management information system for disability services and programs.

(c) It is the express intent of this chapter to confer upon the regional board the flexibility and authority necessary to contract with a wide range of public and private providers to ensure that clients are afforded cost-effective, locally based, and quality disability services. Regional boards are specifically authorized to contract directly with any county governing authority, or any disability services organization created or designated by such county governing authority, any county board of health, any private or public provider, or any hospital for the provision of disability services. Such contracts may be made directly between the regional board and the contractor and shall not be required to go through the community service board.

(d) The regional board may delegate any power, authority, duty, or function to its executive director or other staff. The executive director or other staff is authorized to exercise any such power, authority, duty, or function on behalf of the regional board.

(e) Each regional board shall keep books of account reflecting all funds received, expended, and administered by the regional board which shall be independently audited, by an auditor approved by the division, at least once in each fiscal year. The auditor's report shall be presented to the regional board, the division, and any other interested parties. The books of account shall be kept in a standard, uniform format to be determined by the state auditor and the department. Each regional board shall update its books of account on at least a quarterly basis and shall present the quarterly update to the division and any other interested parties. The division shall conduct a performance audit of each regional board at least once every three years.