§ 41.01 Declaration of purpose.

This article is designed to enable and encourage local governments to
develop in the community preventive, rehabilitative, and treatment
services offering continuity of care; to improve and to expand existing
community programs for persons with mental illness, developmental
disabilities, and those suffering from the diseases of alcoholism and
substance abuse; to plan for the integration of community and state
services and facilities for individuals with mental disabilities; and to
cooperate with other local governments and with the state in the
provision of joint services and sharing of manpower resources.

Effective implementation of this article requires the direction and
administration, by each local governmental unit, of a local
comprehensive planning process for its geographic area in which all
providers of services shall participate and cooperate in the provision
of all necessary information. It also initiates a planning effort
involving the state, local governments and other providers of service
for the purpose of promoting continuity of care through the development
of integrated systems of care and treatment for individuals with mental
illness, developmental disabilities, and for those suffering from the
diseases of alcoholism and substance abuse.