administration

administration Sec. 204. (a) In administering this title the Secretary shall— (1) request the cooperation and assistance of the heads of such other Federal departments and agencies as may be appropriate in carrying out the provisions of this title; (2) render all reasonable assistance, including financial assistance, to State agencies on the aging and to area agencies on aging, and to other appropriate organizations to enable them to organize and conduct conferences on aging prior to the Conference; (3) prepare and make available background materials for the use of delegates to the Conference which he deems necessary, and prepare and distribute any such report of the Conference as may be necessary and appropriate; and (4) engage such additional personnel as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this title without regard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive service, and without regard to chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates. (b) In carrying out his functions under clause (2) of subsection (a) the Secretary shall assure that conferences will be so conducted as to assure broad participation of older individuals. (c) In carrying out his responsibilities under this title the Secretary shall assure that current and adequate statistical data and other information on the well-being of older individuals in the United States are readily available, in advance of the Conference, to participants in the Conference, together with such information as may be necessary to evaluate Federal programs and policies relating to aging. In carrying out the requirements of this subsection the Secretary may make grants to, and enter into contracts with, public agencies and nonprofit private organizations.