Duties and responsibilities of the Department of Elderly Affairs.

The Department of Elderly Affairs shall:

(1) Administer human services and long-term care programs, including programs funded under the federal Older Americans Act of 1965, as amended, and other programs that are assigned to it by law.

(2) Be responsible for ensuring that each area agency on aging operates in a manner to ensure that the elderly of this state receive the best services possible. The department shall rescind designation of an area agency on aging or take intermediate measures against the agency, including corrective action, unannounced special monitoring, temporary assumption of operation of one or more programs by the department, placement on probationary status, imposing a moratorium on agency action, imposing financial penalties for nonperformance, or other administrative action pursuant to chapter 120, if the department finds that:

(a) An intentional or negligent act of the agency has materially affected the health, welfare, or safety of clients, or substantially and negatively affected the operation of an aging services program.

(b) The agency lacks financial stability sufficient to meet contractual obligations or that contractual funds have been misappropriated.

(c) The agency has committed multiple or repeated violations of legal and regulatory requirements or department standards.

(d) The agency has failed to continue the provision or expansion of services after the declaration of a state of emergency.

(e) The agency has exceeded its authority or otherwise failed to adhere to the terms of its contract with the department or has exceeded its authority or otherwise failed to adhere to the provisions specifically provided by statute or rule adopted by the department.

(f) The agency has failed to properly determine client eligibility as defined by the department.

(g) The agency has failed to efficiently manage program budgets.

(h) The agency has failed to implement and maintain a department-approved client grievance resolution procedure.

(3) Serve as an information clearinghouse at the state level, and assist local-level information and referral resources as a repository and means for the dissemination of information regarding all federal, state, and local resources for assistance to the elderly in the areas of, but not limited to, health, social welfare, long-term care, protective services, consumer protection, education and training, housing, employment, recreation, transportation, insurance, and retirement.

(4) Recommend guidelines for the development of roles for state agencies that provide services for the aging, review plans of agencies that provide such services, and relay the plans to the Governor and the Legislature.

(5) Recommend to the Governor and the Legislature an organizational framework for the planning, coordination, implementation, and evaluation of programs related to aging, with the purpose of expanding and improving programs and opportunities available to the state’s elderly population and enhancing a continuum of long-term care. This framework must ensure that:

(a) Performance objectives are established.

(b) Program reviews are conducted statewide.

(c) Each major program related to aging is reviewed every 3 years.

(d) Program decisions reinforce the distinctive roles established for state agencies that provide aging services.

(6) Advise the Governor and the Legislature regarding the need for and location of programs related to aging.

(7) Review and coordinate aging research plans of all state agencies to ensure that research objectives address issues and needs of the state’s elderly population. The research activities that must be reviewed and coordinated by the department include, but are not limited to, contracts with academic institutions, development of educational and training curriculums, Alzheimer’s disease and other medical research, studies of long-term care and other personal assistance needs, and design of adaptive or modified living environments.

(8) Review budget requests for programs related to aging to ensure the most cost-effective use of state funding for the state’s elderly population before submission to the Governor and the Legislature.

(9) Request other departments that administer programs affecting the state’s elderly population to amend their plans, rules, policies, and research objectives as necessary to ensure that programs and other initiatives are coordinated and maximize the state’s efforts to address the needs of the elderly.

(10) Hold public meetings regularly throughout the state to receive information and maximize the visibility of important issues relating to aging and the elderly.

(11) Conduct policy analysis and program evaluation studies assigned by the Legislature.

(12) Assist the Governor, each Cabinet member, and members of the Legislature in conducting their responsibilities as they consider appropriate.

(13) Call upon appropriate agencies of state government for such assistance as is needed in the discharge of its duties. All agencies shall cooperate in assisting the department in carrying out its responsibilities as prescribed by this section. However, the law regarding confidentiality of information may not be violated.

(14) Be designated as a state agency that is eligible to receive federal funds for adults who are eligible for assistance through the portion of the federal Child and Adult Care Food Program for adults, which is referred to as the Adult Care Food Program, and that is responsible for establishing and administering the program. The purpose of the Adult Care Food Program is to provide nutritious and wholesome meals and snacks for adults in nonresidential day care centers or residential treatment facilities. To ensure the quality and integrity of the program, the department shall develop standards and procedures that govern sponsoring organizations and adult day care centers. The department shall follow federal requirements and may adopt rules necessary to administer the program and implement relevant federal regulations, including 7 C.F.R. part 226. The rules may address, at a minimum, the program requirements and procedures identified in this subsection.