R.I. Gen. Laws § 40-20-2: Long-term-care entry system.

The directors of the department of human services, the office of healthy aging, the department of health, and the department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals, shall work collaboratively to design and implement subject to appropriation by October 1, 2006, a standardized, community-based, comprehensive system for entry into state long-term-care programs and services. The system shall include community-based staff to administer pre-screening long-term-care assessments and care-management services, as defined and required under chapter 66.6 of title 42, and to make recommendations for services, including home- and community-based alternatives to residential care, and to assist with access to services. The long-term-care entry system shall include the essential elements contained in § 40-20-1(b).