(a) The Department shall do all of the following:

1. (1) Gather data and develop a data-driven Commonwealth Master Plan for Older Adults (Master Plan) that includes a comprehensive framework of policies and programs that seek to improve and support the health, wellbeing and quality of life of this Commonwealth’s older adults.
2. (2) Identify services to older residents of this Commonwealth provided by other agencies under the Governor’s jurisdiction.
3. (3) Identify agencies under the Governor’s jurisdiction that may have information that will assist the Department in the creation of the Master Plan and gather that information, as necessary and permitted by law.
4. (4) Work in partnership with traditionally disadvantaged or underserved communities to understand their specific needs as older residents of this Commonwealth and where gaps in services may exist.
5. (5) Conduct outreach to independent State agencies, Federal, State and local partners, and where feasible, private entities to gather additional information that may assist in the development of the Master Plan, as permitted by law.

(b) The Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Council (Council).

1. (1) The Secretary of the Department of Aging (Secretary) may establish an executive working group (working group) to assist with the Master Plan, as deemed appropriate by the Secretary.

   1. (i) The working group will consist of a multi-disciplinary team of members of the Council chosen by the Secretary or the Secretary’s designee.
   2. (ii) The Secretary or the Secretary’s designee may form committees or subcommittees from the working group, as necessary, to support its goals.
   3. (iii) Members of the Council may volunteer to participate in committees, subcommittees or participate, as determined and approved by the Secretary.

2. (2) The working group is responsible for assisting the Department in gathering, reviewing and studying data necessary for the Master Plan and for all of the following:

   1. (i) Identifying new programs or policies that could be developed to aid older adult residents in this Commonwealth.
   2. (ii) Identifying ways to eliminate barriers to advancement for older adult residents in this Commonwealth.
   3. (iii) Identifying where gaps in services, programs or initiatives exist that negatively affect older adult residents in this Commonwealth.
   4. (iv) Determining where coordination of existing programs can promote, improve or expand services for older adult residents in this Commonwealth.