(a) Policy. Each Area Agency on Aging (AAA) establishes and maintains an advisory council. The council carries out advisory functions which further the AAA's mission of developing and coordinating community-based systems of services for all older persons in the planning and service area.
- (1) The advisory council is separate and distinct from the AAA governing board and composed of:
- (A) more than 50 percent older persons, including minority persons who are participants or who are eligible to participate in Title III programs, and family caregivers of such persons;
- (B) representatives of older persons;
- (C) representatives of health care provider organizations, including providers of veterans' health care, if appropriate;
- (D) representatives of supportive services providers;
- (E) persons with leadership experience in the private and voluntary sectors;
- (F) local elected officials; and
- (G) the general public.
- (2) The advisory council may not be composed of:
- (A) State Agency staff or governing board members;
- (B) AAA staff or governing board members;
- (C) Title III project staff or governing board members; or
- (D) any other persons that may give an appearance of a potential conflict of interest.
(b) Authority. The authority for this Section is Title 45 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1321.57.
(c) Procedures.
- (1) The advisory council is responsible for advising the AAA in regard to:
- (A) developing and administering the Area Plan;
- (B) conducting public hearings;
- (C) representing the interests of older persons; and
- (D) reviewing and commenting on all community policies, programs, and actions which affect older persons with the intent of assuring maximum coordination and responsiveness to older persons.
- (2) The AAA is responsible for supporting the efforts of the advisory council. The AAA:
- (A) schedules meetings of the full council at least quarterly and provides staff assistance to same;
- (B) keeps the council informed of all matters relating to Area Plan development and administration;
- (C) maintains close contact with advisory council officers;
- (D) assists the council in developing bylaws. The bylaws, at a minimum, address the:
- (i) size and composition of the council;
- (ii) tenure and selection procedures for members;
- (iii) frequency of meetings; and
- (iv) functions of the council;
- (E) provides reimbursement for travel and other allowable expenses to council members, as appropriate;
- (F) submits the Area Plan and subsequent amendments to the council for review and comment before they are submitted to the State Agency for approval; and
- (G) conducts annual training for advisory council members to provide orientation to the rights and responsibilities of advisory council members.
(d) Cross references. See OAC 340:105-10-31(a)(1).