(1) An area agency on aging shall have the following duties:

(a) To develop and administer an area plan, consistent with the state plan, for a comprehensive and coordinated system of programs in the planning and service area;

(b) To assist older persons in obtaining their rights, benefits, and entitlements currently available under the law;

(c) To identify special needs or barriers to maintaining personal independence;

(d) To involve older persons in the area in the development and planning of services delivered within the area;

(e) To assess the needs for services within the planning and service area to determine the effectiveness of existing services available within the area;

(f) To conduct public hearings on the needs and problems of older persons and on the area plan in conjunction with the area's advisory council;

(g) To designate an interagency committee composed of public or private nonprofit agencies within the planning and service area, including, but not limited to, health systems agencies and health transportation agencies, private service providers, and senior citizen organizations in order to improve the coordination of services;

(h) To review and provide comment on program plans of other agencies that affect older persons;

(i) To provide information to the state office on the special needs of older persons within the planning and service area;

(j) To establish communication with the local news media to inform the public of available services and opportunities to contribute to the planning and implementation of said services;

(k) To coordinate and assist local public and nonprofit private agencies in the planning and development of programs to establish a comprehensive and coordinated system of programs and opportunities for older persons;

(l) To act as an advocate for and represent the issues and concerns of older persons; and

(m) To provide services or to contract with local providers to provide services under the family caregiver support program.