Section 17.6.2. Area plan.

         6.2(1) Area plan. Each AAA shall develop and administer an area plan.

         6.2(2) Duration and format of the area plan.

            a.               The area plan shall be for a minimum of a two-year and a maximum of a four-year period specified by the department, with annual updates.

            b.               Uniform area plan format. All AAA shall submit an area plan or plan amendment to the department in accordance with the uniform area plan format, other instructions issued by the department, this chapter, and the federal Act.

         6.2(3) Comprehensive and coordinated delivery system. The multiyear area plan shall provide for the development of a comprehensive and coordinated service delivery system for all supportive and nutrition services needed by older individuals in the planning and service area to:

            a.               Facilitate access to and utilization of all existing services; and

            b.               Develop supportive and nutrition services effectively and efficiently to meet the needs of older individuals.

         6.2(4) Requirements. An area plan shall provide for a comprehensive and coordinated service delivery system as defined in:

            a.               The federal Act;

            b.               Older Americans Act Title III Regulations; Code of Federal Regulations, Title 45, Volume 4, Part 1200 (45 CFR 117);

            c.               This chapter.

         6.2(5) Plan content. The area plan shall, at a minimum, contain the following information:

            a.               Assurance that the AAA agrees to abide by the requirements of the federal Act and all other applicable laws and rules; and

            b.               Objectives and budget for each year of the designated period and methods to obtain those objectives; and

            c.              Client projections. Area agencies shall project, on forms or in a format prescribed by the department, the number of older individuals who will be served within each PSA.

         6.2(6) Area plan amendments and revisions.

            a.                Amendments. The AAA shall amend the area plan and submit it to the commission for approval when:

             (1)             A new or amended state or federal statute, rule or regulation requires new information or conflicts with any existing plan provisions;

             (2)             A United States Supreme Court decision changes the interpretation of a statute or rule;

             (3)             Local law, organization, policy or agency operations change and are no longer accurately reflected in the area plan;

             (4)             The department requires amendments;

             (5)             The grantee proposes to change the designation of the single organizational unit or component unit responsible for programs under the federal Act or state law; or

             (6)             The area agency proposes to add or delete a service category.

            b.                Revision. The AAA may be required to revise the plan and submit it to the department for approval if:

             (1)             A department funding source to the area agency changes; or

             (2)             A program requirement changes.

         6.2(7) Procedures for area plans, plan amendments and revisions.

            a.                Public hearing(s). The AAA shall hold at least one public hearing on the area plan and all plan amendments as required in this chapter. Priority services and direct service requests shall appear as distinct agenda items for any hearing.

             (1)             The public hearing(s) shall be held prior to submission of the area plan or amendment(s) at a time which permits older individuals, public officials, and other interested parties reasonable opportunity to participate. The hearing(s) shall be held at a barrier-free, fully accessible location.

             (2)             The AAA shall provide notice, in accordance with Iowa Code section 21.4(1), of the hearing by sending notice to all known groups of older individuals, PSA public officials, and other interested parties. The notice shall be issued 14 business days prior to the public hearing and include the time, date, and location of the public hearing. The AAA shall comply with any applicable state or federal laws and regulations governing public hearing processes and procedures.

             (3)             The AAA shall prepare and submit to the department a written record of the public hearing in accordance with instructions issued by the department.

            b.                Review and comment by the advisory council.

             (1)             The AAA shall submit the area plan, amendments and revisions for review and comment to the AAA advisory council.

             (2)             The official representative of the AAA shall sign the plan, amendment or revision to signify that the AAA has completed all of the requirements of this chapter. The AAA shall then submit the area plan, amendment or revision to the department for review.

         6.2(8) Commission review. Plans and plan amendments may be approved by the commission after they have been processed in accordance with the process given in this chapter. Revisions may be approved by the department after they have been processed in accordance with the process given in this chapter.

         6.2(9) Appeals. Any person may appeal a denial of approval of an area plan, plan amendment or revision as provided in 17—Chapter 4.

         6.2(10) Area profile. Each AAA shall submit to the department a profile in accordance with the time frame and procedures as issued by the department. The profile shall contain, but not be limited to, the following AAA information:

            a.               Affirmative action plan;

            b.               Table of organizational structure;

            c.               Inventory of nutrition sites and senior centers;

            d.               Listing of the area agency’s designated community focal points; and

            e.               Listing of the officers of the AAA board of directors.

[ARC 8489B, IAB 1/27/10, effective 1/7/10; ARC 0744C, IAB 5/15/13, effective 6/19/13; ARC 1534C, IAB 7/9/14, effective 8/13/14; ARC 2522C, IAB 5/11/16, effective 6/15/16]