(a) Policy.  The State of Oklahoma has a State Council on Aging that meets the requirements of the Older Americans Act (OAA), and the Aging Services Division's (ASD's) need for statewide representation from older Oklahomans and service providers.

(b) Authority.  The authority for this Section is Section 305 of the OAA of 1965, as amended and Oklahoma State Council on Aging Bylaws.

(c) Procedures.  The State Council on Aging is composed of 31 members who are residents of the state and who have demonstrated an interest in, knowledge of, and accomplishments regarding the concerns of older persons.  At least 18 of the members are 60 years of age or older.

• (1) Members of the State Council on Aging include:
  • (A) one member appointed by the Governor;
  • (B) one member appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the State Senate;
  • (C) one member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and
  • (D) 26 members appointed by the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) Director and include:
    • (i) five members who are 60 years of age or older who are participating consumers or volunteers working regularly in aging programs and are chosen from Area Agency on Aging (AAA) advisory council nominees.  Each of the AAA advisory councils submit one nominee for consideration from their respective planning and service areas.  The consumer members chosen include residents of rural counties and represent citizens from all economic levels;
    • (ii) one member from nominees is submitted by entities to include:
      • (I) Oklahoma Association of Area Agencies on Aging;
      • (II) Oklahoma State Department of Health;
      • (III) Oklahoma State Department of Mental Health, gerontological representative;
      • (IV) Oklahoma Senior Corps Directors Association;
      • (V) Oklahoma State Nutrition Directors Association;
      • (VI) Urban League, alternating by term between Oklahoma City and Tulsa chapters;
      • (VII) Oklahoma Indian Council on Aging;
      • (VIII) Oklahoma AARP;
      • (IX) Oklahoma Federation of Chapters of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees;
      • (X) Adult Day Services Association of Oklahoma;
      • (XI) Oklahoma Alliance on Aging;
      • (XII) Oklahoma Retired Educators Association;
      • (XIII) Silver Haired Legislature Alumni; and
      • (XIV) Oklahoma Health Care Authority; and
    • (iii) nine at-large members nominated and appointed by the OKDHS Director to ensure ethnic, geographical, and demographical balance in the State Council on Aging.
• (2) Duties of the State Council on Aging include:
• (A) informing entities of the needs, conditions, and concerns of older Oklahomans to include the:
• (i) Oklahoma Commission for Human Services;
• (ii) OKDHS Director and the Aging Services Division (ASD) director;
• (iii) State of Oklahoma Governor's Office;
• (iv) Oklahoma State Legislature;
• (v) United States Oklahoma Congressional Delegates;
• (vi) state agencies;
• (vii) federal agencies; and
• (viii) general public;
• (B) reviewing and commenting on all policies, budget appropriations, planning regulations, and legislation that could benefit or adversely impact older Oklahomans, and advocating for concerns and issues of older Oklahomans, maintaining high visibility and a strong voice;
• (C) monitoring and evaluating the provision of services to older persons within Oklahoma;
• (D) conducting public forums on the needs or conditions of older Oklahomans and seeking public input on programs or issues involving older persons; and
• (E) advising the ASD director on all matters pertaining to:
• (i) development and implementation of policies, budget appropriations, planning, regulations, and standards;
• (ii) effective and efficient administration of division programs;
• (iii) development of training and educational programs; and
• (iv) administration of other functions of ASD.