Section 581-7 - Area agencies; powers and duties (Adm. Code Section 2207-A)(a) The area agency shall have the authority to act as an advocate at all levels of government and within the community at large for the interests of older persons within the planning and service area. It shall develop a comprehensive area plan to coordinate services for older persons within its planning and service area as the department may prescribe by regulation. The area plan shall make provision for: (1) Information and referral, advocacy programs.(2) Social service case management and casework services including protective services and placement services.(3) Transportation services.(4) Legal counseling and representation.(5) In-home services including personal care and health-related services.(6) Assistance to secure adequate housing and health services.(7) Other services required by Federal law and other such services and activities designated by the department or identified as critical needs by the area agency and the area agency advisory board. The State plan on aging and grants and contracts provided by the department shall reasonably accommodate such locally designated priorities and critical needs.(8) The establishment of an affiliated network of multiservice centers and neighborhood centers for older persons. Each center shall provide those services required by the department in accordance with regulations adopted by the department, which regulations shall provide for the maximum involvement of members of such centers and sponsoring organizations in the identification and prioritization of services and activities to be conducted in such centers.(a.1) The area agency shall be responsible for working toward the development, in cooperation with State and local organizations and agencies, of a continuum of community-based service and housing options for impaired and chronically ill older persons designed to maintain them in the community and avoid or delay institutional care. System development activities shall include, but not be limited to, coordinating area plans for the provision, expansion and effective administration of:(1) Personal care and health-related services provided to adults in their homes.(2) Housing options such as service-assisted housing and personal care homes. (3) Special supports to caregivers who care for impaired older persons.(4) Adult day-care services, respite services and other community-based services to support care by caregivers.(5) The promotion of informal community supports.(6) Geriatric assessment and nursing home screening programs.(7) Special services to protect the health, safety and welfare of older persons who lack the capacity to protect themselves.(8) Special advocacy efforts to promote greater awareness of, and more effective response to, the problems of persons with Alzheimer's disease and other related brain disorders. To the extent that the needs of other adults involve and overlap the needs of older persons addressed by this provision, the area agency shall serve as an advocate for adults of any age.
(b) The area agency shall give priority of services to older persons with the greatest needs and least resources. Factors identifying older persons who are entitled to priority are: (1) Functional disability, i.e., severe restriction of ability to carry out daily activities.(2) Aloneness, i.e., living alone in a private apartment or home unaccompanied by a related adult.(3) Advanced age, i.e., seventy-five years of age or above.(5) Services to minorities in proportion to their numbers consistent with the provisions of the Human Relations Act. (7) Lack of access to recreational and social activities.(c) In carrying out this section, the area agency shall provide preference in filling all jobs for persons of age sixty and above in accordance with the regulations promulgated by the department.(d) Consistent with the Federal Older Americans Act of 1965 and provisions set forth by the department, the area agency may grant to or contract with any public or private agency for the provision of social services. The area agency is authorized to use, with their consent, the services, equipment, personnel and facilities of Federal and State agencies, with or without reimbursement, and on a similar basis to cooperate with other public and private agencies, and instrumentalities, in the use of services, equipment and facilities.1929, April 9, P.L. 177, art. XXII-A, § 2207-A, added 1978 , June 20, P.L. 477, No. 70, § 6, effective 1/1/1979. Amended 1988, Dec. 15, P.L. 1244, No. 153, § 1, effective 1/1/1989. Affected 2007, July 25, P.L. 402, No. 56, §8(5), effective in 90 days [ 10/23/2007].