SECTION 340:105-1-4. Responsibilities of Aging Services Division

(a)    Objective. The overall objective of Aging Services Division (ASD) is to assist older Oklahomans to secure and maintain economic and personal independence and dignity by working toward the establishment of a comprehensive and coordinated system of delivery of needed services.

(b)   Responsibilities. ASD's specific responsibilities are to:

(1)   ensure the proper and efficient administration of activities in Oklahoma related to the Older Americans Act (OAA);

(2)   provide fiscal support and technical assistance for Oklahoma's 11 Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs);

(3)   develop and implement a State Plan on Aging with the assistance of the State Council on Aging;

(4)   provide consultation and assistance to agencies and individuals in developing services for older persons;

(5)   conduct studies and assessments to determine the current needs of Oklahoma's older population;

(6)   serve as a clearinghouse for the exchange of information and ideas pertinent to older persons;

(7)   work toward the improvement of coordination among federal, state, and local agencies;

(8)   inform the public about the needs of older persons; and

(9)   work toward the enlistment of support and resources within the private sector to assist the aging network in providing needed services to older persons, and provide technical assistance in the development and delivery of services.

(c)    State Plan on Aging. To be eligible to administer federal grants under OAA, the Oklahoma Department of Human Services is required to develop a State Plan that encompasses and delineates the programmatic commitments that ASD, as the designated State Office on Aging, administers, coordinates, or supervises during a given multi-year period. The State Plan is developed by ASD for approval by the Governor of the State of Oklahoma and submitted by the Governor to the Assistant Secretary for Aging of the Administration on Aging.

(1)   The State Plan identifies the objectives ASD proposes to achieve during the multi-year period and the plan(s) of action that is implemented in order to meet the identified objectives. The State Plan :

(A)   identifies the manner in which the state has been divided into planning and service areas and the designation of AAAs; and

(B)   sets forth the allocation of resources under the program by providing information regarding the methods, data, and rationale used in developing the State Plan and formulating planning priorities.

(2)   Prior to submitting the State Plan to the Governor, ASD holds a public hearing(s) on the proposed plan pursuant to Part 1321.27 of Title 45 of the Code of Federal Regulations. A summary of the State Plan is made available to any interested individual, agency, or organization. Public notice of each hearing is provided as required. The complete State Plan is available for inspection and consideration at the office of ASD.

(A)   The State Council on Aging is given an opportunity to review and comment on the State Plan.

(B)   Pursuant to comments made regarding the proposed State Plan from the State Council on Aging and the general public, ASD revises the plan where necessary and appropriate and submits it to the Governor.

[Source: Amended at 19 Ok Reg 1170, eff 5-13-02; Amended at 23 Ok Reg 1062, eff 7-15-06]