Maryland Department of Aging Section 4H

      (a)      The Interagency Committee on Aging Services shall develop a system, coordinated among the various agencies, to provide services to frail or health impaired elderly persons at risk of institutionalization.

      (b)      The Department shall administer the services system for the Interagency Committee.

      (c)      The services shall include:

            (1)      Integrated screening and evaluation;

            (2)      Development of an individual plan of care;

            (3)      In-home services such as minor home repair, shopping assistance, homemaking, personal care, meal delivery or preparation, supportive services to group or shared living arrangements, transportation services and health services; and

            (4)      Other community services such as day care, congregate meals, and other programs which may be of assistance to the elderly person or the adult care givers in maintaining the elderly.

      (d)      To be eligible for participation in the system a county or counties shall establish a community-based plan which:

            (1)      Is developed by a local or regional committee composed of the directors of the local health department, department of social services, area agency on aging, and other relevant persons or agencies, such as local housing, transportation, employment and economic development officials;

            (2)      Is consistent with the Interagency Committee coordinated plan for elderly persons;

            (3)      Specifies administrative arrangements for evaluation and development of care plans for the frail or health impaired elderly;

            (4)      Encourages further coordination of service delivery and fosters individual contributions for services provided;

            (5)      Fosters the development of innovative service delivery;

            (6)      Fosters the development of services in conjunction with the private sector; and

            (7)      Fosters community involvement through the use of volunteers.

      (e)      The Interagency Committee on Aging Services, through the Department, shall work with local health departments, departments of social services, area agencies on aging, and local housing, transportation, and economic and employment development officials to:

            (1)      Develop a system for the designation of case managers to secure and manage the necessary services for each frail or health impaired elderly person in need; and

            (2)      Develop guidelines for establishing local or regional committees to coordinate the services system to implement the provisions of this section.