143B-181.1. Division of Aging - creation, powers and duties.
(a) There is hereby created within the office of the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services a Division of Aging, which shall have the following functions and duties:
(1) To maintain a continuing review of existing programs for the aging in the State of North Carolina, and periodically make recommendations to the Secretary of Health and Human Services for transmittal to the Governor and the General Assembly as appropriate for improvements in and additions to such programs;
(2) To study, collect, maintain, publish and disseminate factual data and pertinent information relative to all aspects of aging. These include the societal, economic, educational, recreational and health needs and opportunities of the aging;
(3) To stimulate, inform, educate and assist local organizations, the community at large, and older people themselves about aging, including needs, resources and opportunities for the aging, and about the role they can play in improving conditions for the aging;
(4) To serve as the agency through which various public and nonpublic organizations concerned with the aged can exchange information, coordinate programs, and be helped to engage in joint endeavors;
(5) To provide advice, information and technical assistance to North Carolina State government departments and agencies and to nongovernmental organizations which may be considering the inauguration of services, programs, or facilities for the aging, or which can be stimulated to take such action;
(6) To coordinate governmental programs with private agency programs for aging in order that such efforts be effective and that duplication and wasted effort be prevented or eliminated;
(7) To promote employment opportunities as well as proper and adequate recreational use of leisure for older people, including opportunities for uncompensated but satisfying volunteer work;
(8) To identify research needs, encourage research, and assist in obtaining funds for research and demonstration projects;
(9) To establish or help to establish demonstration programs of services to the aging;
(10) To establish a fee schedule to cover the cost of providing in-home and community-based services funded by the Division. The fees may vary on the basis of the type of service provided and the ability of the recipient to pay for the service. The fees may be imposed on the recipient of a service unless prohibited by federal law. The local agency shall retain the fee and use it to extend the availability of in-home and community-based services provided by the Division in support of functionally impaired older adults and family caregivers of functionally impaired older adults;
(11) To administer a Home and Community Care Block Grant for older adults, effective July 1, 1992. The Home and Community Care Block Grant shall be comprised of applicable Older Americans Act funds, Social Services Block Grant funding in support of the Respite Care Program (G.S. 143B-181.10), State funds for home and community care services administered by the Division of Aging, portions of the State In-Home and Adult Day Care funds (Chapter 1048, 1981 Session Laws) administered by the Division of Social Services which support services to older adults, and other funds appropriated by the General Assembly as part of the Home and Community Care Block Grant. Funding currently administered by the Division of Social Services to be included in the block grant will be based on the expenditures for older adults at a point in time to be mutually determined by the Divisions of Social Services and Aging. The total amount of Older Americans Act funds to be included in the Home and Community Care Block Grant and the matching rates for the block grant shall be established by the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Aging. Allocations made to counties in support of older adults shall not be less than resources made available for the period July 1, 1990, through June 30, 1991, contingent upon availability of current State and federal funding; and
(12) To organize, coordinate, and provide staff support to the North Carolina Senior Tar Heel Legislature; [and]
(13) To develop a strategic State plan for Alzheimer's disease. The plan shall address ways to improve at least all of the following with respect to Alzheimer's disease:
a. Statewide awareness and education.
b. Early detection and diagnosis.
c. Care coordination.
d. Quality of care.
e. Health care system capacity.
f. Training for health care professionals.
g. Access to treatment.
h. Home- and community-based services.
i. Long-term care.
j. Caregiver assistance.
k. Research.
l. Brain health.
m. Data collection.
n. Public safety and safety-related needs of individuals with Alzheimer's disease.
o. Legal protections for individuals living with Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers.
p. State policies to assist individuals with Alzheimer's disease and their families.
(b) The Division shall function under the authority of the Department of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of Health and Human Services as provided in the Executive Organization Act of 1973 and shall perform such other duties as are assigned by the Secretary.
(c) The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall adopt rules to implement this Part and Title 42, Chapter 35, of the United States Code, entitled Programs for Older Americans.