§ 6205. Area agencies on aging; duties

(a) Consistent with the Older Americans Act and in consultation with local home- and community-based service providers, each area agency on aging shall:

(1) develop and implement a comprehensive and coordinated system of services, supports, and protections for older Vermonters, family caregivers, and kinship caregivers within the agency’s designated service area;

(2) target services and supports to older Vermonters with the greatest economic and social need;

(3) perform regional needs assessments to identify existing resources and gaps;

(4) develop an area plan with goals, objectives, and performance measures, and a corresponding budget, and submit them to the State Unit on Aging for approval;

(5) concentrate resources, build community partnerships, and enter into cooperate agreements with agencies and organizations for delivery of services;

(6) designate community focal points for colocation of supports and services for older Vermonters; and

(7) conduct outreach activities to identify individuals eligible for assistance.

(b) In addition to the duties described in subsection (a) of this section, the area agencies on aging shall:

(1) promote the principles established in section 6202 of this subchapter across the agencies’ programs and shall collaborate with stakeholders to educate the public about the importance of each principle;

(2) promote collaboration with a network of service providers to provide a holistic approach to improving health outcomes for older Vermonters; and

(3) use their existing area plans to facilitate awareness of aging issues, needs, and services and to promote the system principles expressed in section 6202 of this subchapter. (Added 2019, No. 156 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. Oct. 5, 2020; amended 2021, No. 113 (Adj. Sess.), § 4, eff. July 1, 2022.)