16 Del. C. § 5543: Delaware Network for Excellence in Autism.

(a) The Delaware Network for Excellence in Autism is established to provide a resource for training and technical assistance for Delaware state agencies, organizations, and other private entities operating in this State who provide services and support to individuals living with ASD or families affected by ASD. Services are provided through a contract between the University of Delaware and the appropriate state agency, organization, or other private entity.

(b) The DNEA is run by a director. The Center for Disabilities Studies at the University of Delaware shall hire the DNEA Director using a hiring committee, which must include representation from the ICA.

(c) The position of the DNEA Director is housed at the Center for Disabilities Studies at the University of Delaware, which is responsible for supervision of the DNEA Director.

(d) The DNEA Director shall ensure that the DNEA works with the ICA to compile and submit the annual report under § 5542(6) of this title.

(e) DNEA staff must possess experience in autism spectrum disorders and shall administer training and technical assistance that is based on accepted evidence-based practices.

(f) The DNEA shall maintain at least 1 administrative support staff position, who is responsible for supporting the DNEA’s day-to-day operations. The DNEA Director oversees the administrative staff.

(g) The DNEA consists of at least 4 team leader DNEA staff positions, to ensure adequate training across the areas of healthcare, education, vocational services, and social services. The DNEA Director oversees the DNEA’s team leaders.

(h) (1) The DNEA includes at least 2 FTEs family trainer/navigators, who are responsible for assisting families in learning about and gaining access to needed services, including those from the state system. The services must include community training opportunities for individuals with ASD and families of individuals with ASD.

(2) Each family trainer/navigator must be contracted through Autism Delaware. Family trainer/navigators shall provide quarterly reports on the number of families served and major issues encountered to the DNEA Director and the ICA.

(i) The DNEA shall develop and maintain a website that does all of the following:

(1) Offers public visibility to the activities of the DNEA and the ICA.

(2) Tracks progress on attaining the goals of the Blueprint for Collective Action.

(3) Offers links to key autism services within Delaware.

(j) The DNEA shall support the ICA’s operations through staff support, maintenance of the website under subsection (i) of this section, maintenance of reports that the ICA creates, ICA meeting minutes, and other support as needed, including assisting with the training, technical assistance, and coaching under subsection (k) of this section.

(k) The DNEA consists of additional staff specifically designated to provide training, technical assistance, and coaching to each local education agency across this State.

(l) The DNEA shall manage training and technical assistance related to education, in collaboration with the office of the Director of Autism Resources.

(m) The DNEA shall administer additional contracts for training and technical assistance.

(n) The DNEA may contract with outside individuals and agencies to provide needed training and technical assistance consistent with the DNEA’s goals.

(o) The DNEA Director shall oversee contracts under this subchapter.

(p) An individual contracted under this subchapter shall adhere to similar standards of professional qualifications and demonstration of accepted, evidence-based practice as DNEA staff.

(q) The DNEA Director may seek and administer outside grant funding as appropriate to fulfill the DNEA’s mission.