§ 3021. Purpose and program
(a)
Congressional declaration of purpose
(1)
It is the purpose of this subchapter to encourage and assist State agencies and area agencies on aging to concentrate resources in order to develop greater capacity and foster the development and implementation of comprehensive and coordinated systems to serve older individuals by entering into new cooperative arrangements in each State with the persons described in paragraph (2), for the planning, and for the provision of, supportive services, and multipurpose senior centers, in order to—
(A)
secure and maintain maximum independence and dignity in a home environment for older individuals capable of self care with appropriate supportive services;
(2)
The persons referred to in paragraph (1) include—
(D)
the providers, including voluntary organizations or other private sector organizations, of supportive services, nutrition services, and multipurpose senior centers;
(F)
organizations that have experience in providing training, placement, and stipends for volunteers or participants who are older individuals (such as organizations carrying out Federal service programs administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service), in community service settings.
(b)
Administration of program
(1)
In order to effectively carry out the purpose of this subchapter, the Assistant Secretary shall administer programs under this subchapter through the Administration.
(2)
In carrying out the provisions of this subchapter, the Assistant Secretary may request the technical assistance and cooperation of the Department of Education, the Department of Labor, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of Transportation, the Office of Community Services, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration,,[1] and such other agencies and departments of the Federal Government as may be appropriate.
(c)
Ombudsman program
The Assistant Secretary shall provide technical assistance and training (by contract, grant, or otherwise) to State long-term care ombudsman programs established under section
3027
(a)(9) of this title in accordance with section
3058g of this title, and to individuals within such programs designated under section
3058g of this title to be representatives of a long-term care ombudsman, in order to enable such ombudsmen and such representatives to carry out the ombudsman program effectively.
(d)
Use of funds
(1)
Any funds received under an allotment as described in section
3024
(a) of this title, or funds contributed toward the non-Federal share under section
3024
(d) of this title, shall be used only for activities and services to benefit older individuals and other individuals as specifically provided for in this subchapter.
[1] So in original.