Elderly abuse education and outreach program

§ 219. Elderly abuse education and outreach program. 1. Definitions. For the purposes of this section, the terms "designated agency" and "elderly person" shall have the same meaning as ascribed to them in section two hundred fourteen of this title.

2. The director, within the amounts appropriated therefor, shall, in conjunction with the office of children and family services, establish an elderly abuse education and outreach program for the purpose of providing education and outreach to the general public, including elderly persons and their families and caregivers, to identify and prevent elderly abuse, neglect, exploitation, and identity theft.

3. (a) As part of the program, the director may award grants to qualified designated agencies to establish local elderly abuse education and outreach programs. Grants may also be awarded to expand or enhance existing programs.

(b) In making such grants, the director shall consider:

(1) the need within the jurisdiction of the designated agency for such education and outreach;

(2) the manner in which the designated agency proposes to provide such education and outreach;

(3) the capacity of the designated agency to coordinate its services with health, human service and law enforcement and public agencies which provide services or assistance to the elderly, including the local department of social services adult protective services unit; and

(4) any other criteria determined by the director to be appropriate.

4. (a) The office may use up to five percent of the total funds appropriated pursuant to this section for administration.

(b) A designated agency which has been awarded a grant pursuant to subdivision three of this section may use up to five percent of the total of any funds provided to a designated agency pursuant to this section for administration.