(a) Consistent with the Older Americans Act and in consultation with local home- and community-based service providers, each area agency on aging shall:
(1) develop and implement a comprehensive and coordinated system of services, supports, and protections for older Vermonters, family caregivers, and kinship caregivers within the agency’s designated service area;
(2) target services and supports to older Vermonters with the greatest economic and social need;
(3) perform regional needs assessments to identify existing resources and gaps;
(4) develop an area plan with goals, objectives, and performance measures, and a corresponding budget, and submit them to the State Unit on Aging for approval;
(5) concentrate resources, build community partnerships, and enter into cooperate agreements with agencies and organizations for delivery of services;
(6) designate community focal points for colocation of supports and services for older Vermonters; and
(7) conduct outreach activities to identify individuals eligible for assistance.
(b) In addition to the duties described in subsection (a) of this section, the area agencies on aging shall:
(1) promote the principles established in section 6202 of this subchapter across the agencies’ programs and shall collaborate with stakeholders to educate the public about the importance of each principle;
(2) promote collaboration with a network of service providers to provide a holistic approach to improving health outcomes for older Vermonters; and
(3) use their existing area plans to facilitate awareness of aging issues, needs, and services and to promote the system principles expressed in section 6202 of this subchapter.