Ala. Admin. Code r. 70-X-2-.02 - Area Agency On Aging Area Plans
(1) Area Agencies on Aging shall develop a
comprehensive and coordinated service delivery system for older individuals and
to serve as the advocate and focal point for older persons in the Planning and
Service Area. Area agencies shall give special emphasis to Older American Act
target groups when addressing service needs.
(2) Area agencies shall prepare and submit
area plans for approval by the Department.
(3) The area plan must accurately describe
required activities, essential information and include attachments and exhibits
as required by the Department's format. The format for the Area Plan will be
provided to area agencies by the Department according to Departmental
policies.
(4) Prior to submission
of the area plan to the Department, the area agency shall provide, at a
minimum, one public hearing to provide interested parties the opportunity for
review and comment on the area plan. Such hearing or hearings shall be held
after reasonable notice and opportunity for comment.
(5) Also required as integral to the Area
Plan, is an annual update to the operating element which details annual fiscal
information. The format and submission dates of the Annual Update may be
revised by the Department for flexibility in annual planning.
(6) Changes to the Area Plan are to be made
based on the following:
(a) The plan shall be
amended at any time under the circumstances prescribed in Federal
regulations.
(b) Amendments to the
area plan will be effected by new or revised information submitted by the area
agency and having said amendment approved by Department.
(c) Amendments to an approved Area Plan must
be approved in writing by the Department, prior to implementation.
(d) Minor revisions and non-substantive
changes to the plan as determined by the Department may be made at any time by
the area agency in order to keep the plan current. Examples of a minor revision
are changes in telephone numbers and addresses, personnel, and administrative
details not affecting the quantity or quality of services to persons assisted
by the programs administered. The area agency shall notify the Department of
minor revisions at least quarterly.
(e) Whenever a change is contemplated by the
area agency in any cost category or individual salary as budgeted in the Area
Plan for area agency administration:
(i) Prior
written approval from the Department is required if the contemplated change
would result in a change in the original approved amount greater than ten
percent.
(ii) Notification of such
change shall be included in the next monthly financial report to the
Department, if the change would not result in a change in the original amount
greater than ten percent.
(iii)
Revised Area Plan pages shall be forwarded to the Department in accordance with
time frames established by the Department.
(7) Subject to the availability of Federal
and State funds and budget authority, the Department will subgrant with the
area agency based on the submitted Area Plan for the Federal and State amounts
indicated in the approved State Plan on Aging. Instructions for submitting
payment requests and expenditure reports will follow Department
policy.
(8) In the event an area
agency, after written notice of deficiency, fails to comply in a timely manner
with the terms of the area plan, contract or grant/subgrant agreement with the
Department, the Department shall withhold distribution of a part of the total
of contract or grant/subgrant funds designated for the area agency in
proportion to the amount of services not furnished by the area agency as a
result of the area agency delay. The Department shall promptly release any
funds withheld, after corrective action has been taken or upon acceptance of a
corrective action plan submitted by the area agency. If the area agency desires
to appeal the decision to withhold funds, it may seek review in accordance with
the Administrative Procedures Act and these Department Regulations.
(9) Withdrawal of an area agency designation
will be done in conformity with Federal Regulations governing the Older
Americans Act program and in accordance with the Administrative Procedures
Act.
Notes
Author: Irene B. Collins, Commissioner
Statutory Authority:
Code of Ala.
1975, §§
38-3-8 to
38-3-9,
Older Americans Act of 1965 as amended (Public Law
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