Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part 2 - Division of Aging and Adult Services › Chapter 1 - State Plan on Aging › Section 18-2-1-III - NARRATIVE

Current through June 25, 2024
Vision
The Vision of the Mississippi Department of Human Services
				  Division of Aging and Adult Services is to see
"Every older Mississippian
				  living the best life possible."
Mission Statement
The mission of Division of Aging Adult Services is to
"Protect the rights of older Mississippians while expanding their
				  opportunities for and access to quality service."
A.
Division of Aging and Adult
				Services
The Mississippi Department of Human Services, Division of
				  Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) is the state entity designated by the Governor
				  to receive and administer federal funds received through the Older Americans
				  Act. Working with a network of local Area Agencies on Aging and local service
				  organizations, DAAS plans and administers programs and services to improve the
				  quality of life for all of Mississippi's older citizens. As the official state
				  office on aging, the DAAS works closely with a network of planning and service
				  agencies to ensure comprehensive activities, programs and services for older
				  Mississippians are offered statewide. Additionally, the DAAS works with many
				  other state agencies as well as with the private sector, to create recognition
				  of the needs and interests of older adults and to develop new resources.
As the SUA, the DAAS proactively carries out a wide range of
				  functions related to advocacy, planning, coordination, interagency linkages,
				  information sharing, brokering, monitoring, and evaluation. The DAAS pays
				  special attention to those older adults who have the greatest social, economic,
				  and health needs and to low income minority elders.
The basic responsibilities of the DAAS include:
1. Developing and administering the State
				Plan
The State Plan is based on information gathered from
				  consultations between the DAAS and AAAs and on Area Plans submitted to the DAAS
				  for approval. Through direct contact with the AAAs and review of the Area
				  Plans, the DAAS assesses the needs of older persons, establishes statewide
				  priorities, examines procedures for implementing the Plan, and assures
				  consistency among the State and AAA objectives. The State Plan provides for
				  proper and efficient methods of administering Aging programs.
2. Conducting public hearings on the State
				Plan
The DAAS holds public hearings on the proposed State Plan
				  that afford opportunities for comment to older persons, area agencies on aging,
				  service recipients, the general public, officials of general purpose local
				  government, and other interested parties. This process guarantees all
				  interested parties an opportunity to communicate their views verbally or
				  through written correspondence regarding the State Plan, and on matters of
				  general policy arising in the development and administration of the State Plan,
				  and its effect on service delivery at the community level. Public hearings are
				  planned and conducted jointly with the ten AAAs annually. A copy of the 2010
				  schedule and a copy of a public information "flyer" is provided in the State
				  Plan. Hearings subject matter includes Title III services and VII programs for
				  Elder Rights Protection as well as other programs funded through the
				  AAA.
3. Serving as an
				advocate for older persons in the State
The DAAS serves as the effective and visible advocate for the
				  elderly by engaging in direct action; encouraging and supporting participation
				  by older persons in activities which help them promote their own interest; and
				  assuming a strong leadership role to guide, direct, and support other State
				  advocacy efforts. Direct advocacy includes such activities as: representing the
				  interests of older persons before legislative and other formal bodies within
				  the State; drafting or reviewing proposed legislation upon request from the
				  legislative body; and reviewing and commenting on State agency plans, budgets,
				  and policy impacting older persons and long-term care systems. The DAAS also
				  guides, facilitates, and supports other elderly advocates within the State by
				  providing technical assistance, training, and support to AAAs, organizations
				  representing the elderly, and other coalition groups, associations, or
				  individuals advocating for older persons.
4. Dividing the State into Planning and
				Service Areas (PSA)
The DAAS has divided the state into PSAs which are geographic
				  regions composed of one or more local government boundaries. PSAs correspond
				  geographically with the ten multi-purpose, non-profit, quasi-governmental,
				  economic development districts called Planning and Development Districts
				  (PDDs). The following factors are considered when identifying PSAs:
				  distribution of persons age 60 and over, including those with greatest economic
				  or social needs; services needed and the resources to meet the needs; views of
				  local public officials; and boundaries of local government, regional planning
				  councils, Indian Reservations, and economic development
				  districts.
5. Designating
				and funding AAAs within PSAs
Upon definition of PSAs, AAAs for each PSA are designated and
				  funded to develop comprehensive coordinated service delivery systems to meet
				  the needs of older persons in the local communities. The ten AAAs are
				  designated as a separate organizational unit within a multi-purpose agency
				  (PDD). See attached map of the geographic boundaries of the
				  PSA/AAA.
6. Coordinating
				strategic planning for systems and activities relating to the OAA purpose
The DAAS develops strategic plans and policy to guide and
				  direct AAAs, improve upon existing relationships and establish new linkages
				  among federal, state, area, and community agencies and organizations to enhance
				  the coordination of service delivery. Pilot programs and new service models
				  established on the state level will be used by the AAAs to replicate planning
				  for and delivery of services at the community level.