Section 5543 - Delaware network for excellence in autism(a) The General Assembly hereby establishes the Delaware Network for Excellence in Autism (Network) in order to provide a resource for training and technical assistance for Delaware state agencies, organizations and other private entities operating in the State of Delaware who provide services and support to individuals and families affected by ASD. Services shall be provided through a contract between the University of Delaware and the appropriate state agency.(b) The Network shall be run by a Director, who shall be hired by the Center for Disabilities Studies, with representation on the hiring committee by the Interagency Committee for Autism.(c) The Network Director shall be housed at the Center for Disabilities Studies at the University of Delaware, which shall be responsible for supervision of the Director.(d) The Director of the Network shall be responsible for the creation of an annual report and submission of such to the Governor and the General Assembly.(e) Network staff members shall possess experience in Autism Spectrum Disorders and shall administer training and technical assistance in all cases utilizing accepted evidence-based practices.(f) The Network shall maintain at least one administrative support staff position, who shall be responsible for supporting the day-to-day operations of the Network and shall be overseen by the Network Director.(g) The Network shall consist of at least four Team Leader Network staff positions, to ensure adequate training across the areas of healthcare, education, vocational services and social services.(h) Team Leaders shall be overseen by the Network Director.(i) The Network shall include at least 2 FTEs Family Trainer/Navigators, who shall be responsible for assisting families in learning about and gaining access to needed services, including those from the state system. These services shall also include community training opportunities for individuals and families.(j) Family Navigators shall be contracted through Autism Delaware and shall provide a quarterly report on the number of families served and major issues encountered to the Network Director and the Interagency Committee on Autism.(k) The Network shall develop and maintain a website that offers public visibility to the activities of the Network, the ICA, and tracks progress on attaining the goals of the Blueprint for Collective Action, as well as offering links to key autism services within Delaware.(l) The Network shall support the operations of the ICA through the maintenance of the website, maintenance of reports created by the ICA and minutes of ICA meetings, as well as other support as needed.(m) The Network shall consist of additional staff specifically designated to provide training, technical assistance and coaching to all local education agencies across Delaware.(n) Training and technical assistance related to education will be managed by the Network in collaboration with the office of the Statewide Director of the Delaware Autism Program.(o) The Network shall also administer additional contracts for training and technical assistance.(p) The Network shall have the authority to contract with outside individuals and agencies in order to provide needed training and technical assistance consistent with the Network's goals.(q) Contracts shall be overseen by the Director of the Network.(r) Contracted individuals shall adhere to similar standards of professional qualifications and demonstration of accepted, evidence-based practice as Network staff.(s) The Network Director shall be empowered to seek and administer outside grant funding as appropriate to fulfill the mission of the Network.Added by Laws 2015, ch. 425,s 1, eff. 9/14/2016.