3035 Public Input Requirements for AAAs | ADMINISTRATION-5600-MANUAL

AAAs shall:

AAAs are encouraged to the extent possible to furnish the particulars regarding date, time and location of public hearings, and other such public events, to the Division of Aging Services (DAS), for publication in the DAS Planning Calendar, and to interested individuals and entities within the Planning and Service Areas sufficiently in advance to permit a reasonable time to allow service providers, elected officials and the elderly residents the optimal opportunity to attend.

To the extent possible, AAAs are encouraged to further coordinate within the statewide network to avoid scheduling hearings on the same days in different locations around the state.

AAAs shall conduct additional public hearings on the area plans when there is a change in the scope of services, when implementation of new or revised Federal or State statutes or regulations affecting service delivery have been published, or when there is a material change in any law, organization, policy or state agency operation, which subsequently materially affects service delivery.

AAAs shall conduct hearings prior to requesting waivers from the Division to provide services directly, when those services are not currently authorized through an approved area plan. Agencies shall use the same procedures as for area plan hearings.

Refer to MAN 5600, Section 3019

Before DAS can consider approving a waiver of the requirement that agencies budget an adequate proportion of Title III-B funds for priority services, a AAA desiring approval of such a waiver must provide documentation that it has held a timely public hearing on the matter and of all comments received.

Refer to MAN 5600, Section 2005

In addition to meeting the minimum statutory requirements of the Older Americans Act for conducting public hearings, in order to broaden the range of public input, AAAs may use input obtained from consumers, potential consumers and the general public through alternative methods. Such formats and sources of input may include, but are not limited to, focus groups; small discussion groups; town hall meetings; compilations of responses to interactive websites; and telephone and paper surveys.

In areas in which there are significant numbers of older persons whose primary language is not English, in addition to providing notice of public hearings in appropriate languages, agencies will develop strategies to provide alternative methods for such persons to give input in the languages with which they are most proficient.

AAAs will develop strategies for obtaining input from consumers of such long-term care services as personal care homes and nursing homes, and their families.

Information and input from public hearings, and other sources and formats, are matters of public record, subject to retention on file in accordance with standard records management requirements. Area agencies will be able to demonstrate that the data obtained through the public input process is used in the preparation of the area plan and for the development of programs and related policies for that plan period.