1. (a) Responsibilities of the Division of Aging, Adult, and Behavioral Health Services of the Department of Human Services:

   1. (1) Designate a coordinator to implement and oversee program development of AFCSP statewide;

   2. (2)

      1. (A) Develop and maintain consistent standards and mechanisms for AFCSP to be implemented statewide.
      2. (B) These standards and mechanisms shall be used to ensure the quality of services provided in accordance with the Older Americans Act, 42 U.S.C. § 3001 et seq., Administration for Community Living regulations and policies, and the United States Department of Health and Human Services policies and rules;
   3. (3) Collect, maintain, and report information pertaining to AFCSP to the Assistant Secretary for Aging of the Administration on Aging;
   4. (4) Provide technical assistance as needed; and
   5. (5) Assume quality assurance responsibilities for all caregiver programs to ensure compliance with standards, policies, and procedures of the division and Older Americans Act.

2. (b) Responsibilities of area agency on aging:

   1. (1) Assess the needs of caregivers in the planned service area (PSA) to develop and submit an area plan or update reflecting local needs to the division outlining the services to be provided at least annually;
   2. (2) Publicize AFCSP services to ensure that individuals throughout the PSA know about the availability of the services;
   3. (3) Provide caregiver information and referral as well as screen individuals for caregiver support services;

   4. (4)

      1. (A) An assessment of need for each client should be performed and maintained in a client file.
      2. (B) An in-home assessment will be completed on individuals whose screening indicates a need for respite or supplemental services;
   5. (5) Arrange for the provision of individually needed family caregiver services directly and/or through local service providers;
   6. (6) Maintain current database of programs and services, regardless of funding stream, which a person needing caregiver support services can access;
   7. (7) Organize new, and coordinate with existing, caregiver support groups;
   8. (8) Coordinate AFCSP with other programs and service systems serving persons with disabilities;
   9. (9) Attend training planned by the division;
   10. (10) Ensure appropriate program/financial reporting, billing, and budget reconciliation;
   11. (11) Negotiate contracts and provide quality assurance program implementation;
   12. (12) Compile, maintain, and report waiting lists of persons requesting caregiver services for which service is not available;
   13. (13) Give priority for services to older individuals with greatest social and economic need, with particular attention to low-income older individuals, and older individuals providing care and support to individuals with intellectual disabilities and related developmental disabilities, as defined in Section 102 of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act, 42 U.S.C. § 6001;
   14. (14) Give priority for services to family caregivers who provide care for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders with neurological and organic brain dysfunction, as well as grandparents or older individuals who are relative caregivers of children with severe disabilities;

   15. (15)

       1. (A) Area agencies on aging are strongly encouraged to seek the input of regional Alzheimer’s chapter or chapters, relevant and existing support groups, University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, and area mental health and community-based organizations providing various forms of assistance to family caregivers who provide informal in-home and community care to older individuals and to grandparents raising grandchildren in maintaining AFCSP in their region.
       2. (B) Additionally, area agencies on aging are encouraged to seek the input of family caregivers providing care to older adults and grandparents raising grandchildren on their service needs;
   16. (16) The area plan must include a service budget for each category of service in the area agency on aging’s PSA;
   17. (17) Area agencies on aging will establish and maintain an adequate system for recordkeeping of persons served expenditures and waiting lists by categories established by the Older Americans Act and the division; and
   18. (18) An assessment of needs for each client will be performed and maintained in a client file.

3. (c) Responsibilities of service providers:

   1. (1) Each provider shall adhere to division policies and procedures for programs on aging and shall provide services in accordance with AFCSP’s policies and procedures;
   2. (2) Each provider shall comply with all the provisions of the service descriptions as established by area agencies on aging and the division;
   3. (3) Attend training provided by the division or area agencies on aging;
   4. (4) Each provider shall maintain financial records in accordance with standard accounting procedures and comply with all applicable state rules and federal regulations;
   5. (5) Each provider shall maintain and submit program data and statistics as required by area agencies on aging; and
   6. (6) Forms utilized by providers shall include all information required by area agencies on aging and the division.

Codification Notes: This section as promulgated prior to codification into the Code of Arkansas Rules provided as follows: “1-1-17” "AFCSP" means Arkansas Family Caregiver Support Program.