DEPARTMENT OF AGING Redesignation of Area Agency on Aging for Clarion County; Notice of Intent and Public Hearing [40 Pa.B. 6289]
[Saturday, October 30, 2010]The Secretary of the Department of Aging (Department), under authority of Sections 2201-A—2212-A of The Administrative Code of 1929 (71 P. S. §§ 581-1—581-12), in conformity with the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C.A. §§ 3001—3058ee) and in accordance with 6 Pa. Code Chapter 30 (relating to designation and redesignation of area agencies on aging), intends to redesignate an Area Agency on Aging for Planning and Service Area (PSA) Number 49, which has the same boundaries as Clarion County.
On July 16, 2010, the Department received a formal request from the Chair of the Office of Commissioners for Clarion County to redesignate the Area Agency on Aging from its current public designation to a nonprofit organization. The Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution in favor of this request at its June 22, 2010, meeting. The Advisory Council for the Clarion County Area Agency on Aging voted unanimously to endorse the redesignation at its June 14, 2010, meeting.
This notice of intent to redesignate the Area Agency on Aging is issued to initiate a review of the requested action. The Department seeks additional information from all concerned parties, including the residents of Clarion County. The Department is required under 45 CFR Part 1321 (relating to state and community programs on aging) and 6 Pa. Code Chapter 30, to hold a public hearing on this proposed action. The Department will hold a public hearing in Clarion County to provide interested parties an opportunity to present testimony on the following issues:
(1) The effectiveness of services for older persons being provided under the administration of the current Area Agency on Aging.
(2) The basis for naming a new nonprofit agency to administer those services.
(3) The qualifications and capabilities of the intended nonprofit agency to develop and carry out an effective area plan for older persons in the PSA.
(4) The continuing appropriateness of the PSA boundaries based on demographic, economic and geographic factors.
(5) The potential positive and negative effects of redesignation on agency personnel, older adults in the PSA, and the costs and quality of agency services.
In conjunction with its consideration of public testimony, the Department will be reviewing the current Area Agency on Aging's overall compliance with Departmental policy and service goals, as the Agency on Aging has asserted that its anticipated operations as a nonprofit agency will be comparable to its current operations.
A public hearing will be held on Wednesday, December 1, 2010, at 3 p.m., in the Main Street Center, 516 Main Street, Clarion, PA 16214.
Persons who wish to present oral testimony at the hearing regarding these issues are asked to notify Stephanie Wilshire, Director, Clarion County Area Agency on Aging, 12 Grant Street, Clarion, PA 16214, (814) 226-4640 or fax (814) 226-6744, in advance of the hearing.
The Department will also accept written testimony on these issues until December 2, 2010, from interested parties who are unable to attend the hearing or present oral testimony. Written testimony should be mailed to Secretary John Michael Hall, Department of Aging, 555 Walnut Street, 5th Floor, Harrisburg, PA 17101-1919.
JOHN MICHAEL HALL,
Secretary[Pa.B. Doc. No. 10-2050. Filed for public inspection October 29, 2010, 9:00 a.m.]
