Community services policy manual-general area agency responsibilities

(a) Responsibilities of the Area Agency on Aging (1) Staffing An Area Agency on Aging shall be responsible for recruiting and employing adequate numbers of staff members to develop and administer its area plan, and to carry out the functions and responsibilities prescribed by the Older Americans Act, Title III regulations and this Manual. The Area Agency on Aging shall develop and implement a staffing plan consistent with Federal and State requirements and the standards listed herein: (A) The Area Agency on Aging shall be headed by a director qualified by education and experience to administer the areawide program, who shall be hired in conformance with the job description promulgated in the approved area plan. The director shall devote full-time solely to activities which benefit the aging population. (B) No Area Agency on Aging shall be allowed to operate without a director for an extended period of time. (i) In the absence of an Area Agency on Aging director, an acting director shall be designated within one week. (ii) An Area Agency on Aging may not operate under the leadership of an acting director for more than 90 days, or it shall be subject to suspension or termination. In the case of maternity or extended medical leave, the Area Agency on Aging has the option of extending the 90 day limit with the Department's approval. (iii) The Area Agency on Aging shall employ: Adequate numbers of staff (including members of minority groups), qualified by experience and training, assigned full or part-time to Title III activities; and Persons knowledgeable-through education and/or experience-in the program area for which they will be responsible (planning, administration, coordination, program activities, etc.). (iv) All other factors being equal, the Area Agency on Aging shall give preference to persons aged sixty or over for any full-time or part-time positions for which such persons qualify-subject to any merit system requirements. (v) The Area Agency on Aging may contract for the performance of certain functions and responsibilities, but such contractual arrangements shall not be utilized as a substitute for adequate staffing. Prior written approval of the Department is required for such contractual arrangements. (vi) The Area Agency on Aging may not discriminate against any qualified person with a disability as defined by the ADA who is seeking employment. (vii) An Affirmative Action Statement shall be submitted to the Department by each Area Agency in a manner prescribed by the Department. (2) Direct Provision of Services by an Area Agency on Aging (A) General Rule Area Agency on Aging shall use grants or contracts with service providers to provide all services under this part unless the Department decides that direct provision of a service by the Area Agency on Aging is necessary to assure an adequate supply of the service, or where the service is directly related to the Area Agency on Aging's administrative functions, or where such service of comparable quality can be provided more economically by the Area Agency on Aging. (B) Services Not Funded Under Older Americans Act The Area Agency on Aging may plan, coordinate, and provide services funded under other programs, if it does not use funds under this part for those services, and if it continues to meet all its Area Agency on Aging responsibilities. (C) Notification of Intent to Deliver Services At the time when an Area Agency on Aging submits its area plan, it shall include waiver proposal(s) detailing any intent to utilize Title III B monies to directly deliver services. The proposal(s) shall include a description of the service to be provided directly by the Area Agency on Aging, an estimated budget, and an explanation as to how this service will impact Title III B services in general. For fiscal years, when the Area Agency on Aging is not required to submit an area plan and the Area Agency on Aging intends to utilize Title III B service monies to directly deliver services for any reason, public notice and the opportunity for public comment shall be given prior to submission of the Area Agency on Aging's annual budget to the Department. Acceptable forms of public notice include a public hearing, a public service announcement, a newsletter, an article or public notice announcement in the Area Agency on Aging's newsletter, or any other method of mass public distribution approved by the Department. The notice is to include, at a minimum, a description of the service to be delivered, an estimated budget, and an explanation as to how this service will impact Title III B service in general. (3) Written Procedures An Area Agency on Aging shall have written procedures for complying with all of its functions as prescribed in the regulations and this Manual. Such written procedures shall either be incorporated in its area plan, or in an Area Agency on Aging Manual on file at the Area Agency on Aging. The manual shall be available to the Department on request. (4) Corporate Eldercare (A) Scope and Definition (i) Area Agencies on Aging may enter into contracts with corporations to provide corporate eldercare services, as hereinafter defined. Such contracts shall require payment by the corporation to the Area Agency on Aging for the provision of such eldercare services, and may be entered into only in strict conformance with the requirements and limitations herein set forth. These regulations shall be attached to all eldercare contracts as a condition thereof. (ii) "Corporate Eldercare Services" means services funded by a private sector corporation, to benefit its employees who have caregiver responsibilities for elderly relatives. Such services most often consist of information and referral, but may extend to other services or programs as determined by the corporation. (iii) Types of corporate eldercare services which Area Agencies on Aging may provide include activities such as, but not limited to, consulting, development and publication of written materials, development and production of videotapes, and presentation of or participation in workshops, seminars and conferences. (B) Criteria (i) Before engaging in any corporate eldercare service, the Area Agency on Aging shall first obtain the approval of the Area Agency on Aging board of directors. (ii) Contracts with corporations for eldercare services shall be submitted to the Department for review at least two (2) weeks prior to their effective date. The Area Agency on Aging shall, upon request of the Department, submit such additional information as may be necessary to adequately assess the proposed service. (iii) Simultaneous with its submission of any proposed corporate eldercare services contract to the Department for review, the Area Agency on Aging shall also provide the Department with written assurances as to the following considerations: (I) The proposed activity is compatible with the statutory mission of the Area Agency on Aging as prescribed in the Older Americans Act and related state law; (II) The proposed activity precludes any inference or requirement of exclusivity, i.e., the area agency must be free to negotiate other similar contracts; (III) The proposed activity, when undertaken, shall not diminish the ability of the Area Agency on Aging to carry out its principal mission, not to target its efforts to older persons with the greatest economic or social needs, with particular attention to low income minority persons; (IV) All personal, identifying information obtained regarding program participants shall remain confidential to the extent allowed under federal and state law; (V) The proposed activity shall not directly or indirectly, involve the use of any governmental funds for any purposes, including administration and overhead. (C) Fiscal controls (i) Each Area Agency on Aging providing corporate eldercare services shall establish separate accounts for all funds devoted to eldercare activities, to which the Department shall have access for the purpose of reviewing the activity. (ii) The percentage of staff time allocated to corporate eldercare services shall be identified. (iii) Funds received by any Area Agency on Aging in connection with corporate eldercare services shall be accounted for by the Area Agency on Aging in accordance with generally accepted accounting and auditing practices and all other applicable requirements of federal and state law, and relevant provisions of the Area Agency on Aging's contract with the Department. (D) Public interest & department oversight (i) The Area Agency on Aging shall describe its approach to, plan for and involvement in corporate eldercare services in the area plan or amendments; and (ii) The Department shall monitor each Area Agency on Aging's involvement in corporate eldercare services as contemplated by these regulations through annual on-site assessment, review of eldercare contracts, continued monitoring of area agency targets, and area plan review. (b) The Area Plan Process (1) General Provisions (A) Purpose of the Area Plan An area plan is the document submitted by an Area Agency on Aging to the Department which outlines the work plan of the Area Agency on Aging for the plan period. The Area Plan also functions as the application for Title III funding from the Department. (B) Duration and Format of the Area Plan (i) Area plan periods shall be determined by the Department in accordance with Title III regulations. (ii) The Department shall periodically set forth the format, criteria for approval, and instructions for the development and submission of the area plan. The instructions and format shall be in conformity with the Title III regulations, this Manual and other AoA and Department directives which may be developed periodically. (iii) The Area Agency on Aging shall submit an area plan, amendments, and annual budgets to the Department in accordance with the uniform area plan format, information provided by the Department, and other instructions contained in the Manual. (2) Content of Area Plan (A) General The area plan shall contain provisions required by the Act and this Manual and commitments that the Area Agency on Aging shall administer activities funded under Title III in accordance with all Federal and State requirements. The area plan also shall contain a detailed statement of the manner in which the Area Agency on Aging is developing a comprehensive and coordinated system throughout the planning and service area for all services authorized under Title III. An Area Agency on Aging may use its Title III funds only for activities in its approved plan. Any deviation from activities or resource allocation in the approved plan requires prior written approval from the Department. (B) Area Agency on Aging Function Requirements An area plan shall provide that the Area Agency on Aging functional requirements, as specified in appropriate sections of this Manual, are met for: (i) Monitoring, evaluation and commenting on policies and programs affecting older persons; (ii) Arrangements with children's or adult day care organizations; (iii) Assessment of need for services in the planning and service area, and evaluation of effectiveness of services being provided; (iv) Entering into subgrants or contracts for the provision of services under the area plan; (v) Technical assistance and evaluation of all service providers; (vi) Considering the views of older persons; (vii) Outreach efforts; (viii) Designation of community focal points; (ix) Coordination with other federal programs serving older persons; (x) Conducting efforts to facilitate the coordination of community-based, long-term care services designed to retain individuals in their home; (xi) Identifying entities involved in the prevention, identification and treatment of the abuse, neglect and exploitation of older individuals and determining the extent of unmet needs for appropriate services in this area; (xii) Working to ensure community awareness of and involvement in addressing the needs of residents of long-term care facilities; (xiii) Establishing a grievance procedure for individuals denied services; (xiv) Cooperating with non-profit providers of housing for the elderly; (xv) coordinating transportation services. (C) Provision of Comprehensive and Coordinated Service Delivery System An area plan shall provide for the development of a comprehensive and coordinated service delivery system for all supportive and nutrition services needed by older persons in the planning and service area. The Area Agency on Aging may accomplish this purpose by entering into new cooperative arrangements with other service planners and providers to: (i) Facilitate access to and utilization of all existing services; and (ii) Develop supportive and nutrition services effectively and efficiently to meet the needs of older persons. (D) Service Delivery Requirements An area plan shall provide that the service delivery requirements, as specified in appropriate sections of this Manual, are met for: (i) Giving preference to older persons with greatest economic or social need, with particular attention to low-income minority individuals; (ii) Restricting direct provision of services; (iii) Service providers concerning licensure, training, outreach, coordination, giving preference to those with greatest economic or social need, contribution, maintenance of non-Federal support for services, and advisory role for older persons; (iv) Multipurpose senior center activities; (v) Nutrition services; (vi) Legal assistance; (vii) Information and referral services; (viii) Transportation services. In providing such services, special attention should be given to utilizing quality staff, meeting basic standards and use of voluntary relationships. (E) Priority Service Requirements (i) An area plan shall provide an adequate proportion of its supportive services allotment, excluding amounts used for administration, for the following categories of services, with at least some funds spent in each category: Services associated with access to other services. These services are transportation, outreach, and information and referral; In-home services. These services include homemaker and home-health aid, visiting and telephone reassurance, chore maintenance, and supportive services to families of elderly victims of Alzheimers's disease and related disorders with neurological and organic brain dysfunction; Legal Assistance. (ii) An area plan, as submitted or as amended, shall specify in detail the amount of funds expended for each of the above listed categories during the fiscal year most recently concluded. (iii) The Department may waive the requirement for expending an adequate proportion of an Area Agency's Part B allotment for access, in-home, or legal service, if the area agency demonstrates to the department that the services being provided in the PSA for any specific category of service are sufficient to meet the need of such service. (F) Informational Requirements An area plan shall specify: (i) Program goals and objectives, to implement the service delivery requirements of the Older Americans Act and goals, objectives, and measures established by the Department; (ii) A resource allocation plan indicating the proposed use of all funds to be used in programs for older persons directly administered by the Area Agency on Aging; (iii) An identification of designated community focal points; (iv) Methods the Area Agency on Aging uses to set service priorities under the plan; and (v) Proposed methods for giving preference in the provision of services under the plan to those with greatest economic or social need, with particular attention to low-income minority individuals. These methods: Shall include, but are not limited to, consideration of older persons with greatest economic or social need in the designation of community focal points; Shall include targeting of low income clients at a prescribed rate as determined by the Department of all clients served for each service category, and targeting of minority clients at a reasonable level, as determined by the Department, not to be less than the level of the prior planning year; at a minimum, minority targets should reflect the proportion of minority elderly persons to the total elderly population in the towns served by the specific program; May not include use of a means test. A means test is the use of an older person's income or resources to deny or limit that person's receipt of services under the Act. (3) Amendments to an Area Plan An Area Agency on Aging shall amend its area plan if: (A) A new or amended State or Federal statute or regulation requires a new provision, or conflicts with any existing plan provisions; (B) A U.S. Supreme Court decision changes the interpretation of a statute or regulation; (C) The Area Agency on Aging proposes to change the designation of the single organizational unit or component unit; (D) The Area Agency on Aging proposes to add, substantially modify, or delete any area plan objective(s); or: (E) The Department requires further annual amendments. (4) Review of an Area Plan and Amendments (A) Public Hearing An Area Agency on Aging shall: (i) Include participation of the Advisory Council in the development and implementation of the area plan. The Advisory Council shall review the area plan before the public hearing(s), and again after the public hearing(s), but before submission to the Department; (ii) Hold at least one public hearing on its area plan; (iii) Hold a public hearing on any proposed amendment to the area plan if instructed by the Department to do so; (iv) Submit its area plan and any amendment for review and comment to the area Advisory Council and Board of Directors, prior to submission to the Department. (B) Public Hearing Standards The Area Agency on Aging shall apply the following standards in the conduct of its public hearing(s); (i) Public notice shall be given at least two weeks before the public hearing(s); (ii) The public hearing(s) shall be scheduled to allow sufficient time for review of the area plan by the Advisory Council and Board of Directors prior to the date of the public hearing(s); (iii) Notice of the public hearing(s) shall be publicized through widely circulated newspapers or other forms of public media; (iv) Notice of the public hearing(s) shall be published in a language other than English, when deemed appropriate by the Area Agency on Aging and/or the Department; (v) Notice of the public hearing shall include the availability of a sign language interpreter and Hispanic interpreter upon request; (vi) Notice of the public hearing(s) shall be provided to appropriate service providers, nutrition providers, organizations of older persons, and other public and private agencies in the planning and service area; (vii) The public hearing(s) shall be scheduled at a convenient time(s) and location(s) to ensure: maximum attendance by interested parties, including representatives of the Advisory Council, other local advisory councils to nutrition and other service providers, and older persons; and accessibility to the handicapped; (viii) A complete copy of the area plan shall be available for review by the general public at the office of the Area Agency on Aging prior to, and after, the public hearing(s); (ix) Summaries of major components of the area plan including a program description, objective, action plans, and resource allocation plans, shall be available prior to and during the public hearing(s); (x) The formula or other methods used to distribute aging funds among service providers shall be available at the public hearing(s); (xi) Procedures for review and analysis of comments received at the public hearing(s) shall be established and described in writing; (xii) Summaries of the comments made at the public hearing(s) shall be available at the office of the Area Agency on Aging after the public hearing(s); and (xiii) All records of the public hearing(s) shall be on file at the Area Agency on Aging as a part of the area plan. (C) Other Methods For Public Participation The Area Agency on Aging may utilize additional mechanisms to obtain the view of older persons in developing and administering its area plan. (5) Area Plan Submission, Review and Approval (A) General An area plan shall be submitted to the Department in accordance with the schedules and procedures established by the Department. (B) Schedule of Area Plan and/or Annual Update Reviews The following schedule outlines the process for review and approval of area plans or annual updates: (i) The Department shall notify all Area Agencies on Aging at least 90 days before the area plan is due at the Department office. This notice shall include the transmittal of the required area plan format, the Department criteria for area plan approval, and instructions for developing the area plan. (ii) Area plans, whether for initial or continuation funding, are due at the Department office 75 days prior to the beginning date of the planned funding period. (iii) Department staff requests for revisions in area plans, shall be made 45 days before the beginning date of the planned funding period. (iv) Final area plan revisions shall be submitted by Area Agency on Aging to the Department at least 30 days prior to the beginning date of the planned funding period. (v) An approval letter shall be issued by The Department prior to the start of the funding period. The letter shall include any contingencies to be placed on the award. (C) Department Actions on Area Plans The Department shall provide notification in writing to the Area Agency on Aging of the final actions taken in either approving, approving with conditions, or disapproving its area plan. (i) Approval The Department shall provide the Area Agency on Aging with a formal notice of approval of the area plan and the amount of approved funds on an appropriate award document. (ii) Approval with Conditions The Department may approve an area plan with conditions when necessary. The conditions shall be stated in writing on the award letter to the Area Agency on Aging. All conditions placed on an approved area plan shall be consistent with the authority delegated to the Department. When an area plan is approved with conditions, it shall be the responsibility of the grantee to meet these conditions within the specified time frame. As the conditions are met by the grantee, the Department shall officially notify the grantee that all conditions have been met. (iii) Disapproval Any area plan which is not in conformity with the Older Americans Act, the Federal regulations or the Department's policies shall be disapproved. When the Department proposes to disapprove an area plan, it shall notify the Area Agency on Aging in writing of its intention and set forth the reasons for the proposed disapproval. The Department shall: Issue a letter of intent to disapprove the area plan to the Area Agency on Aging indicating the reasons for the proposed disapproval within sixty day of receipt of the area plan; and Inform the area Agency on Aging of the opportunity for a hearing on the area plan under the provisions of Section 17b-423-2-(c) of this Manual and shall carry out those procedures. (iv) Final Disapproval If, after providing the Area Agency on Aging with a proper opportunity for a hearing, the Department still finds the area plan unacceptable, the Department shall disapprove the plan, using the following procedures: The Department shall withhold further payments to the Area Agency on Aging. If the Department terminates funds under the above provision, it shall notify the assistant secretary in writing of its action; provide a plan for the continuity of services in the affected planning and service area; and designate a new Area Agency on Aging in the planning and service area in a timely manner. (6) Withdrawal of Area Agency on Aging Designation (A) Conditions for Withdrawing Area Agency on Aging Designation The Department may withdraw the Area Agency on Aging designation whenever the Department, after reasonable notice and opportunity for a hearing, finds that: (i) The Area Agency on Aging does not meet the requirements under the Older Americans Act and Federal Regulations; (ii) The plan or plan amendment is not approved; or (iii) There is substantial failure in the provisions or administration of an approved area plan to comply with any provision of the federal regulations or this manual. (B) Department Procedures to Withdraw Area Agency on Aging Designation If the Department withdraws an Area Agency on Aging's designation under subparagraph A of this subdivision, it shall: (i) Notify the Area Agency on Aging immediately; (ii) Notify the assistant secretary in writing of its action at the time the Area Agency on Aging is notified; (iii) Provide for the continuity of services in the affected planning and service area; and (iv) Designate a new Area Agency on Aging in the planning and service area in a timely manner. (7) Redesignation of an Area Agency on Aging An agency that has had its designation as an Area Agency on Aging withdrawn in accordance with the policies in this Manual shall not be considered for redesignation until such time as it can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Department that changes have occurred to remove the causes that led to the withdrawal of designation. The criteria for designation as an Area Agency on Aging set forth in Section 17b-423-2(b) of this Manual shall apply in all instances of redesignation. (8) Prior Approval of Contracts (A) The Department shall require prior written approval of a contract proposed for funding under an area plan when the contract will be executed with a profit-making organization and when the Area Agency on Aging is contracting for an administrative function. This includes, but is not limited to contracts for training, audit, personal services, and any Performance-Based Contracts which fall under this criteria. Such approval shall be obtained on an annual basis, except in the case of multiyear contracts. (B) Record of the Department's approval of such contracts shall be maintained on file by the Area Agency on Aging or grantee. (c) Area Agency on Aging Functions and Responsibilities Under an Area Plan (1) Advocacy Responsibilities of the Area Agency on Aging An Area Agency on Aging shall: (A) Monitor, evaluate, and where appropriate, comment on all policies, programs, hearings, levies and community actions which affect older persons; (B) Conduct public hearings on the needs of older persons; (C) Represent the interests of older persons to local level and executive branch offices public and private agencies or organizations; (D) Carry out activities in support of the State administered long-term Ombudsman program; (E) Coordinate planning with other agencies and organizations to promote new or expanded benefits and opportunities for older persons; and (F) Comment on other services provided for the elderly through the intergovernment review process. No requirement in this section shall be deemed to supersede statutory or other regulatory restrictions regarding lobbying or political advocacy with Federal funds. (2) Area Agency on Aging General Planning and Management Responsibilities An Area Agency on Aging shall: (A) Develop and administer an area plan for a comprehensive and coordinated service delivery system in its planning and service area in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, including all requirements of this Manual; (B) Assess the kinds and levels of services needed by older persons in the planning and service area, and assess the effectiveness of the use of various resources in meeting these needs; (C) Except as provided in Section 17b-423-4(b) (2) of this Manual, enter into grants or contracts to provide all services under the plan, utilizing a request for proposal (RFP) process which assures equal opportunity for all potential applicants for funding to apply, including publication of notice in the area's public media and the use of a wide mailing list which includes, but is not limited to, current grantees or contractors; (D) Provide technical assistance, monitoring, and periodic evaluation of the performance of all service providers under the plan, utilizing a schedule that provides for conducting both fiscal and programmatic field monitoring of each grantee at least once biennially. (E) Coordinate the administration of its plan with other Federal, State and local resources, in order to develop a comprehensive and coordinated service system; (F) Establish an Advisory Council consisting of more than 50% older individuals and of minority individuals at least in proportion to the representation of minority elderly in the PSA. (G) Give preference in the delivery of services under the plan to older persons with the greatest economic or social need; with particular attention to low income minority individuals. (H) Assure that older persons in the planning and service area have reasonably convenient access to information and referral services; (I) Provide adequate and effective opportunities for older persons to express their views to the Area Agency on Aging on policy development and program implementation under the plan; (J) Have outreach efforts to identify older persons, including older Indians, and inform them of the availability of services under the area plan, and conduct an annual evaluation of the effectiveness of such outreach. These outreach efforts should have special emphasis on the rural elderly, and on those with greatest economic and social needs, especially low-income minority individuals, and older individuals with severe disabilities. With respect to nutrition services, the Area Agency on Aging shall have outreach efforts that ensure that the maximum number of eligible persons have an opportunity to receive services; (K) If possible, have arrangements with organizations providing day care services for children or adults, and respite for families, so that older persons can volunteer to help provide such services; (L) Develop and publish the methods that the Area Agency on Aging uses to establish priorities for services, particularly the consideration given to the Title III priority services; (M) Establish procedures governing outreach, training, and coordination activities of service providers; (N) Attempt to involve the private bar in legal assistance activities, including groups within the private bar that furnish legal services on a pro bono and reduced fee basis; (O) Designate community focal points, where feasible. (3) Designation of Community Focal Points for Service Delivery In order to facilitate ready access to services provided under the area plan, an Area Agency on Aging shall designate, if feasible, a focal point for comprehensive service delivery in each community. (4) Area Agency on Aging Board of Directors (A) Functions of the Board Each Area Agency on Aging shall establish a Board of Directors. The Board shall be responsible for: (i) Achieving the stated objectives and purpose of the organization; (ii) Making policies and plans; (iii) Supervising the executive director; (iv) Appointing committees. (B) Composition of the Board Board members and officers of private agencies or other community agencies or governmental body may serve on the board of directors, but may not vote, participate in discussions, or in any way influence matters related to the financial or contractual affairs of their agency or body. Area Agency on Aging board members shall sign an annual declaratory statement which discloses all other boards and commissions on which they currently serve, and declare their intent to avoid participation in, discussion of, or in any other way influencing, the vote on any issue affecting one of those boards or commissions. Those ineligible for Board membership are: (i) Paid staff of any Title III funded agency (C) Frequency of meetings The Area Agency Board of Directors shall hold at least ten (10) monthly meetings annually. (D) Support The Area Agency on Aging shall provide staff and assistance to the Board of Directors. (E) Bylaws The Area Agency on Aging shall develop and make public bylaws which specify the role and function of the Board of Directors, number of members, procedures for selection of member, terms of membership, and frequency of meetings. (5) Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council (A) Functions of the Council Each Area Agency on Aging shall establish an advisory council in accordance with the requirements of this section. The council shall advise the agency on: (i) Developing and administering the area plan; (ii) Conducting public hearings; (iii) The interests of older persons; and (iv) Its review of and comments on all community policies, programs and actions which affect older persons. (B) Composition of the Council The advisory council shall be made up of: (i) More than 50 percent older persons, including: Older persons with greatest economic or social need; and Participants of Older Americans Act programs; (ii) Minority individuals in proportion to their representation among older persons in the PSA. (iii) Representatives of older persons; (iv) Local elected officials, or their representatives; (v) The general public. (C) Frequency of Meetings The Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council shall meet at least quarterly. (D) Support The Area Agency on Aging shall provide staff and assistance to the Advisory Council. (E) ByLaws The Area Agency on Aging shall develop and make public bylaws which specify the role and function of the Advisory Council, number of members, procedures for selection of members, terms of membership, and frequency of meetings. (6) Preference for Older Persons with Greatest Economic or Social Need All service providers under the Older Americans Act shall follow priorities set by the Area Agency on Aging for serving older persons with greatest economic or social need, with particular attention to low-income minority individuals. Service providers may use methods such as selecting certain locations for providing services and specializing in the types of services most needed by these groups to meet this requirement. Service providers may not use a means test. (7) Contributions for Services Under the Area Plan (A) Opportunity to Contribute Each service provider shall: (i) Provide each older person with a free and voluntary opportunity to contribute to the cost of the service he/she receives; (ii) Protect the privacy of each older person with respect to his or her contribution; (iii) Establish appropriate procedures to safeguard and account for all contributions; and (iv) Use all contributions to expand the services of the provider under Title III. Nutrition service providers shall use all contributions to increase the number of meals served by the project involved, to facilitate access to such meals, and to provide other supportive services directly related to nutrition services. (B) Failure to Contribute A service provider that receives funds under the Act may not deny any older person a service because the older person will not or cannot contribute to the cost of the service. (C) Contributions as Program Income Contributions made by older persons who are recipients of services are considered program income. (8) Maintenance of Non-Federal Support for Services (A) All service providers shall assure their Area Agency on Aging that Federal funds shall not be used to replace funds from non-federal sources. (B) Service providers shall agree to continue to initiate efforts to obtain support from private sources and other public organizations for services funded. (9) Opportunity for Input by Consumers Each service provider under the area plan shall have procedures for obtaining the views of participants about the services they receive. (Adopted February 26, 1992; Amended June 2, 1992; Transferred and AmendedOctober 7, 1997)