20 CAR § 430-1201 – Generally

(a)
1. (1) Each area agency on aging shall, through a comprehensive and coordinated system, provide for nutrition services to older Arkansans in their planning and service area, with particular attention to target groups identified by the Older Americans Act, 42 U.S.C. § 3001 et seq.
2. (2) Nutrition services must include, but are not limited to, congregate and home-delivered meals which meet Older Americans Act and Division of Aging, Adult, and Behavioral Health Services of the Department of Human Services requirements and which may also include:
  1. (A) Special diets where feasible;
  2. (B) Nutrition screening and nutrition education for participants;
  3. (C) In-service training, including food preparation and nutrition, for both paid and volunteer workers; and
  4. (D) Outreach.
3. (3) Nutrition assessment and counseling are also to be provided when appropriate and feasible.
(b) The area agencies on aging will incorporate the provisions of this subpart and accompanying procedures into their policies and procedures, provide training on these provisions to nutrition service staff, monitor compliance with the policy and procedures, and provide appropriate technical assistance to subcontractors in meeting this and other division, Older Americans Act, and area agency on aging requirements.
(c) To ensure that older Arkansans, particularly those in target groups identified by the Older Americans Act, have access to low-cost, nutritionally sound meals served in strategically located centers such as schools, churches, community centers, senior centers, and other public or private facilities where they can obtain other social and rehabilitative services.
(d) The Nutrition Services Program seeks:
1. (1) To reduce hunger and food insecurity;
2. (2) To promote socialization of older individuals; and
3. (3) To promote the health and well-being of older individuals by assisting such individuals to gain access to nutrition and other disease prevention and health promotion services to delay the onset of adverse health conditions resulting from poor nutritional health or sedentary behavior.