9-2-1204. Powers and duties; rules and regulations; addressing problems of senior citizens; funds and grant awards; development of senior citizen programs; report to governor.

(a) The department of health shall:

(i) Adopt rules and regulations necessary to implement this act;

(ii) Operate as the clearinghouse for issues concerning senior citizens within the state;

(iii) Identify critical problems facing senior citizens, develop guidelines to contend with these problems and develop a statewide comprehensive plan for addressing the problems of senior citizens;

(iv) Offer to review the services to senior citizens provided by state agencies and assist the agencies in developing senior citizen services;

(v) Contract with any governmental agency, private group or person to provide services for senior citizens;

(vi) Receive and disburse funds authorized by P.L. 89-73, the "Older Americans Act", or funds appropriated by the legislature, or from private gifts or grants;

(vii) Ensure that any grant award and any disbursement of grant funds are contingent upon the demonstrated assurance of the credibility, the capability and the accountability of the grantee or subgrantee agency or organization in accordance with appropriate federal regulations, state law or generally accepted public policy;

(viii) Upon request from a local governmental unit, assist in the planning and development of senior citizen programs by local governments;

(ix) Employ field representatives in senior centers strategically located in the state to provide technical assistance, education and information to the state and its political subdivisions;

(x) Assist in the planning and development of programs to educate the public on the aging process, its consequences and problems;

(xi) Collect and analyze data relating to senior citizen population, programs and needs, resources available to meet these needs and programs, governmental agencies involved in senior citizen programs and other pertinent information;

(xii) Inform the governor, the legislature and the public of the problems and needs of senior citizens;

(xiii) Review applications for funding submitted to the department and, if requested, conduct hearings thereon in accordance with the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act;

(xiv) Operate the state as a single planning and service area under section 305 of the "Older Americans Act", P.L. 89-73, as amended, and establish policies for the administration and implementation of programs under P.L. 89-73;

(xv) Report to the governor as required by W.S. 9-2-1014;

(xvi) Administer the community based in-home services program as provided by W.S. 9-2-1208; and

(xvii) Administer the licensed shelter care program for eligible senior citizens as provided in W.S. 9-2-1209.