Section 270.215  Organizational Standards and Responsibilities:  Department on Aging

a)         The Department shall establish, design and manage a program of response and services for persons 60 years of age and older who have been, or are alleged to be, victims of abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation.  The Department shall contract with or fund, or contract with and fund, regional administrative agencies, provider agencies, or both, for the provision of those functions, and, contingent on adequate funding, with attorneys or legal services provider agencies for the provision of legal assistance pursuant to the Act. [320 ILCS 20/3(a)]

b)         The Department shall have the overall responsibility for designing, managing and monitoring the Elder Abuse and Neglect Program.

c)         The Department shall designate regional administrative agencies and approve the designation and termination of elder abuse provider agencies. Designated elder abuse provider agencies are agents of the Illinois Department on Aging.

d)         The Department shall design and manage the programmatic and financial reporting system for the program.  The Department shall develop and manage a monitoring/quality assurance system for the program.

e)         The Department shall develop and implement public awareness efforts designed to publicize the purposes and mode of operation of the program through public service announcements, posters, and brochures.

f)         The Department shall provide technical assistance, policy clarifications and/or interpretations to regional administrative agencies on adherence to the rules, standards, and procedures established for the program.  The Department may provide technical assistance in case handling directly to the elder abuse provider agencies.  The technical assistance provided by the Department may include legal advice and consultation. The Department's interpretation of policy and procedure shall prevail.

g)         The Department shall provide training to elder abuse provider agency staff who will assess reports of ANE or who will supervise staff performing the assessment function.  Regional administrative agency staff working in the program shall also be trained by the Department.

h)         The Department shall maintain a registry of all elder abuse provider agency and regional administrative agency staff who have successfully completed Department sponsored certification training and are employed in the program.

i)          The Department's "Senior HelpLine" and the "After Hours Line" shall receive reports of ANE and relay such reports to the appropriate elder abuse provider agency within the required timelines.

j)          The Department shall also be responsible for, contingent upon adequate funding, coordination of efforts with other agencies, councils, and like entities, which may impact awareness of, and response to, elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation, and promotion of prevention activities. [320 ILCS 20/3.5]

k)         The Department shall file with the Governor and the General Assembly, within 270 days after the end of each fiscal year, a report concerning its implementation of the Act during such fiscal year, together with any recommendations for future implementation. [320 ILCS 20/11]

l)          The Department shall reimburse elder abuse provider agencies under contract at a uniform rate established by the Department.  A separate rate shall be established for each of the following case activities completed by the elder abuse provider agency: assessment, case work, and follow-up.

m)        If a designated elder abuse provider agency terminates its contract to provide services, the Department, in coordination with the regional administrative agency, shall ensure that elder abuse services are available without interruption to eligible adults within the terminated elder abuse provider agency's service area.

n)         The Department shall establish and coordinate a training program on the unique nature of elder abuse cases with other agencies and councils, including the Office of the Attorney General, the State Police, the State Triad, and other similar agencies.

o)         The Department shall solicit financial institutions for the purpose of making information available to the general public warning of financial exploitation of the elderly and related financial fraud or abuse, including such information and warning available through signage or other written materials provided by the Department on the premises of such financial institutions, provided that the manner of displaying or distributing such information is subject to the sole discretion of each financial institution. [320 ILCS 20/3.5]

p)         The Department shall coordinate efforts with utility and electric companies to send notices in utility bills to explain to persons 60 years of age or older their rights regarding telemarketing and home repair fraud. [320 ILCS 20/3.5]

(Source:  Amended at 30 Ill. Reg. 8913, effective April 28, 2006)