§ 6201.12. Base service unit.

 (a)  The county administrator is responsible for establishing an organizational unit consisting of multidisciplinary professional and nonprofessional staff capable of planning, directing and coordinating appropriate services for persons who are mentally retarded and in need of service from the county program. This unit shall be called the base service unit, and the county administrator shall have the authority to direct, control and monitor the activities of the base service unit.

 (b)  The base service unit is responsible for performing the following functions in such a way as to carry out the following objectives of the county program:

   (1)  Establish or develop a system utilizing preventive services in the community for the mentally retarded.

   (2)  Establish and operate a system for earliest possible casefinding.

   (3)  Maintain a continuing relationship with the mentally retarded person and with a facility or provider of service responsible for service to the mentally retarded person during any stage of his life-management process.

   (4)  Constitute a fixed point of referral and information for mentally retarded persons and their families.

   (5)  Initiate, develop and maintain a pattern of interaction between the diagnostic and evaluation team and others concerned with services to any mentally retarded person and his family. This pattern shall emphasize participation in the life-management planning process of such persons as the family, physician, local public health nurse, teacher, representative of human service resources, vocational rehabilitation counselor, other providers of service, advocates and the mentally retarded person, whenever possible.

   (6)  Provide opportunities for advancing the knowledge and understanding of persons inside and outside its immediate setting, particularly those who have a responsibility in carrying out the life-management process.

   (7)  Foster cooperation through the use of multidisciplinary approach.

   (8)  Ensure that if service to the mentally retarded is provided by other than the base service unit and the mentally retarded person is referred for intake into the county program, the referring agency or the provider of service are invited to cooperate with the base service unit in diagnosis, evaluation and planning for the person.

   (9)  Ensure that services will not be authorized for funding by the county program unless they are consistent with the life-management plan as developed by the base service unit and approved by the county administrator.

   (10)  Provide for comprehensive diagnosis and evaluation services to do all of the following:

     (i)   Diagnose, appraise and evaluate mental retardation and associated disabilities; define the strengths, skills, abilities and potentials for improvement of the individual.

     (ii)   Assess the needs of the individual and his family.

     (iii)   Develop a practical life-management plan for individuals and their families and provide the necessary counseling and follow-along services.

     (iv)   Reassess the progress of the individual at regular intervals to determine continuing needs for service and for changes in his management plan.

   Under subsection (b), a county is required to seek the advice of the current provider before reaching a decision as to whether a patient transfer is appropriate; therefore, where a county has completely disregarded the recommendations of those familiar with the case, the county is guilty of an abuse of discretion. In re M.J.S., 480 A.2d 349 (Pa. Cmwlth. 1984).