Section 20.12. Administrative functions and responsibilities of area agencies on aging

(a) General.

(1) Each area agency on aging shall administer a Program under this chapter in its planning and service area.

(2) In the administration of the Program, the functions and responsibilities of the area agency on aging shall include the following:

(i) The development and submission of a Program plan under subsection (b).

(ii) The coordination of service development and delivery under this chapter with other appropriate agencies and organizations in the community, with special efforts to develop and maintain an effective network of local support for family caregivers.

(iii) The collection and submission to the Department of Program and fiscal information on families served, and services and benefits provided, on forms provided by the Department.

(b) Program plans. Each area agency on aging shall submit annually a plan which includes the following information:

(1) An organizational chart which illustrates the staffing and flow of decisionmaking for the Program.

(2) A discussion of how the agency will assign casework staff to the Program to achieve and maintain the consistency required under § 20.32 (relating to assessment and care management).

(3) A training plan which describes special training for staff persons to be assigned to the project.

(4) A description of the procedures to be used for reimbursing caregivers.

(5) A description of area agency on aging strategies for the strengthening or developing of a local network of family caregiver resources. At a minimum, an area agency on aging shall form and utilize an inter-organizational advisory or oversight committee to establish or enhance a local network of caregiver resources. This committee may be an adjunct of the area agency on aging advisory council. The use of network models that involve local voluntary groups, churches, health care organizations active in the areas of Alzheimer’s Disease, support groups for family caregivers and other similar organizations is strongly encouraged.

(6) An explanation of how the area agency on aging will assure that all ethnic groups and economic levels of the community are effectively reached by the Program.

(7) A description of strategies for carrying out caregiver education so that different kinds of caregiver education needs are effectively met. Caregiver education shall involve, to the extent possible, the participation of existing community resources. These efforts may include support groups if appropriate.

(8) A 12-month operating budget on a form provided by the Department.

(c) Program compliance. Failure of an area agency on aging to comply with corrective action requirements resulting from the Department’s compliance monitoring shall lead to sanctions imposed by the Department when, after discussion, the area agency on aging and the Department are unable to reach a mutually satisfactory resolution of the noncompliance issue.

Notation

Cross References

This section cited in 6 Pa. Code § 20.11 (relating to administrative functions and responsibilities of the Department); 6 Pa. Code § 20.32 (relating to assessment and care management); 6 Pa. Code § 20.41 (relating to general reimbursement); and 6 Pa. Code § 20.42 (relating to ongoing caregiving expenses).