SECTION 340:105-10-71. Congregate meals service facilities

(a)   Policy. Each congregate meals service provider secures and maintains adequate facilities for the preparation and delivery of the meals service, nutrition education, and funded supportive services.

(b)   Authority. The authority for this Section is Part 1321.11(a) of Title 45 of the Code of Federal regulations, and Section 1247 of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes, as amended (21 O.S. § 1247).

(c)   Procedures.

(1)   The grantee agency locates congregate meals service sites in areas accessible to the target group of eligible persons in a community and, where possible, within walking distance for concentrations of such persons.

(2)   The grantee agency arranges for all applicable health, fire, safety, and sanitation inspections for project offices and congregate meals sites in the manner described in (A) and (B) of this paragraph.

(A)   The fire and safety inspections are conducted annually by local fire officials or other designated local official in the absence of a local fire marshal using established local standards.

(B)   In the absence of local standards, standards developed and adopted by the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) with the cooperation of the State Fire Marshal and the Oklahoma State Department of Health are applicable.

(C)   Standards are based upon the use and occupancy of the site by Title III funded projects and are adequate to protect the health and safety of participants.

(D)   County health department sanitation inspections are completed at least annually.

(E)   All inspection reports are on file with the grantee agency.

(F)   Grantee agency responds as directed by the inspecting agency to all cited deficiencies.

(3)   The Area Agency on Aging annually conducts evaluations for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance at all project offices and congregate meals sites. The grantee agency ensures that project facilities comply with Section 21 O.S. § 1247, as amended, that mandates all public facilities be smoke free and post such designation as required by law.

(4)   The project arranges for the separation of dining and food preparation areas at sites where food is prepared and served in the same facility.

(5)   Where feasible, the project provides ample space and time for the provision of supportive services per OAC 340:105-10-54.

(6)   The project provides appropriate furnishings for older persons, including sturdy tables and chairs, and arranges the furnishings to provide adequate aisle space for persons using mobility aids such as walkers and wheelchairs.

(7)   The project provides table settings that are approved by the project advisory council. If disposable dinnerware is used, it is of sturdy quality to prevent spillage, leakage, and breakage.

(8)   The project posts in conspicuous locations information regarding:

(A)   the rights of eligible persons to equal opportunity and access to services;

(B)   the full cost of the meal to be paid by ineligible persons, such as visitors under 60 years of age, who are served meals;

(C)   the suggested contribution for eligible participants toward the cost of the meal, as determined by the project or site advisory council. All participant contributions are for the cost of the meal and are not solicited for other items such as utilities and coffee;

(D)   menus for a minimum of one week in advance;

(E)   grievance procedures for participants;

(F)   an evacuation plan;

(G)   a toll free information and assistance telephone number;

(H)   a current health inspection certificate from the local health department;

(I)   Smoke Free Facility; and

(J)   a summary of the site or project, if applicable, emergency management plan including at a minimum the location of the nearest emergency shelter(s) available to participants.

(d)   Cross references. See OAC 340:105-10-50.1(a)(7), 340:105-10-51, 340:105-10-54, 340:105-10-68 through 340:105-10-70, 340:105-10-72 through 340:105-10-80, and 340:105-10-86.

[Source: Added at 11 Ok Reg 673, eff 11-29-93 (emergency); Amended at 11 Ok Reg 3645, eff 6-6-94 (emergency); Added at 11 Ok Reg 2771, eff 6-13-94; Amended at 12 Ok Reg 1441, eff 5-26-95; Amended at 15 Ok Reg 249, eff 10-9-97 (emergency); Amended at 15 Ok Reg 1692, eff 5-11-98; Revoked at 18 Ok Reg 1270, eff 5-11-01; Amended at 19 Ok Reg 1170, eff 5-13-02; Amended at 25 Ok Reg 1754, eff 6-1-08 (emergency); Amended at 26 Ok Reg 2221, eff 7-1-09]