The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:

(a) Programs shall be initiated, promoted, and developed through all of the following:

(1) Volunteers and volunteer groups.

(2) Partnership with local governmental agencies.

(3) Coordinated efforts of state agencies.

(4) Coordination and cooperation with federal programs.

(5) Partnership with private health and social service agencies.

(6) Participation by older individuals in the planning and operation of all programs and services that may affect them.

(b) It shall be the policy of this state to give attention to the unique concerns of our most frail and vulnerable older individuals.

(c) Recognizing the diversity in geography, economy, culture, and lifestyles in California and the diversity of local senior citizen networks, it shall be the policy of this state to encourage and emphasize local control to achieve the most effective blend of state and local authority.

(d) In recognition of the many governmental programs serving seniors, and as specified in paragraph (2) of subdivision (c) of Section 9102, the California Department of Aging should coordinate, as existing resources permit, with other state departments in doing all of the following:

(1) Promote clear and simplified access to information assistance and services arrangements.

(2) Ensure that older individuals retain the right of free choice in planning and managing their lives.

(3) Ensure that health and social services are available that do all of the following:

(A) Allow older individuals to live independently at home or with others.

(B) Provide for advocacy for expansion of existing programs that prevent or minimize illness or social isolation, and allow individuals to maximize their dignity and choice of living.

(C) Provide for protection of older individuals from physical and mental abuse, neglect, and fraudulent practices.

(4) Foster both preventive and primary health care, including mental and physical health care, to keep older individuals active and contributing members of society.

(5) Encourage public and private development of suitable housing.

(6) Develop and seek support for plans to ensure access to information, counseling, and screening.

(7) Encourage public and private development of suitable housing and recreational opportunities to meet the needs of older individuals.

(8) Encourage development of efficient community services including access to low-cost transportation services, that provide a choice in supported living arrangements and social assistance in a coordinated manner and that are readily available when needed.

(9) Encourage and develop meaningful employment opportunities for older individuals.

(10) Encourage the development of barrier-free construction and the removal of architectural barriers, so that more facilities are accessible to older individuals.

(11) Promote development of programs to educate persons who work with older individuals in gerontology and geriatrics.

(12) Encourage and support intergenerational programming and participation by community organizations and institutions to promote better understanding among the generations.

(e) The California Department of Aging shall ensure that, to the extent possible, the services provided for in accordance with this division shall be coordinated and integrated with services provided to older individuals by other entities of the state. That integration may include, but not be limited to, the reconfiguration of state departments into a coordinated unit that can provide for multiple services to the same consumers. Services provided under this division shall be managed, directly or through contract, by local area agencies on aging or other local systems.

(Repealed and added by Stats. 1996, Ch. 1097, Sec. 13. Effective January 1, 1997.)