108 STAT. 3944 PUBLIC LAW 103-382—OCT. 20, 1994 "(e) PRIORITIES FOR DISTRIBUTION.— To the extent practicable, the Secretary shall award grants to States under this section in a manner that— i "(1) is geographically equitable; and "(2) distributes the grants among States that have differing levels of development of statewide systems of family support for families of children with disabilities. 20 USC 1491d. "SEC. 706. APPLICATION. "A State that desires to receive a grant under this part shall submit an application to the Secretary that contains the following information and assurances: " (1) FAMILY-CENTERED AND FAMILY-DIRECTED APPROACH. — An assurance that the State will use funds made available under this part to accomplish the purposes described in section 702 and the goals, objectives, and family-centered outcomes described in section 709(b) by carrying out systems change activities in partnership with families and in a manner that is family-centered and family-directed. "(2) DESIGNATION OF THE LEAD ENTITY. —Information identifying the lead entity, and evidence documenting the abilities of such entity. " (3) STATE POLICY COUNCIL FOR FAMILIES OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES. —An assurance of the following: "(A) The State has designated or established Council that meets the criteria set forth in section 707. "(B) The lead entity will seek and consider on a regular and ongoing basis advice from the Council regarding the development and implementation of the strategic plan under section 709, and other policies and procedures of general applicability pertaining to the provision of family support for families of children with disabilities in the State. Reports. "(C) The lead entity will include, in its annual progress reports, a summary of advice provided by the Council, including recommendations from the annual report of the Council and the response of the lead entity to such advice and recommendations. Repo'^ts "(D) The lead entity will transmit to the Council any other plans, reports, and other information required under this part. "(4) FAMILY INVOLVEMENT.— ^A description of the following: "(A) The nature and extent of the involvement of families of children with disabilities and individuals with disabilities in the development of the application. "(B) Strategies for actively involving families of children with disabilities and individuals with disabilities in the development, implementation, and evaluation of the statewide system of family support for families of children with disabilities. "(C) Strategies and special outreach activities that will be undertaken to ensure the active involvement of families of children with disabilities who are members of unserved and underserved populations. "(D) Strategies for actively involving families of children with disabilities who use family support services in decisions relating to such services.
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