§ 26-11-204 — Area agency on aging - duties

(1) An area agency on aging shall
have the following duties:

(a) To develop and administer an area plan, consistent with the state plan, for
a comprehensive and coordinated system of programs in the planning and service
area;

(b) To assist older persons in obtaining their rights, benefits, and
entitlements currently available under the law;

(c) To identify special needs or barriers to maintaining personal
independence;

(d) To involve older persons in the area in the development and planning of
services delivered within the area;

(e) To assess the needs for services within the planning and service area to
determine the effectiveness of existing services available within the area;

(f) To conduct public hearings on the needs and problems of older persons
and on the area plan in conjunction with the area's advisory council;

(g) To designate an interagency committee composed of public or private
nonprofit agencies within the planning and service area, including, but not limited
to, health systems agencies and health transportation agencies, private service
providers, and senior citizen organizations in order to improve the coordination of
services;

(h) To review and provide comment on program plans of other agencies that
affect older persons;

(i) To provide information to the state office on the special needs of older
persons within the planning and service area;

(j) To establish communication with the local news media to inform the
public of available services and opportunities to contribute to the planning and
implementation of said services;

(k) To coordinate and assist local public and nonprofit private agencies in the
planning and development of programs to establish a comprehensive and
coordinated system of programs and opportunities for older persons;

(l) To act as an advocate for and represent the issues and concerns of older
persons; and

(m) To provide services or to contract with local providers to provide services
under the family caregiver support program.

Legislative History

Source: L. 85: Entire part added, p. 977, � 3, effective May 29. L. 2002: (1)(k) amended and (1)(m) added, p. 803, � 2, effective May 30.