Section 270.220  Organizational Standards and Responsibilities:  Regional Administrative Agencies

a)         Each regional administrative agency shall designate provider agencies within its planning and service area with prior approval by the Department on Aging. [320 ILCS 20/3(b)]

b)         The standard term for designation shall be for six years, unless such designation is terminated by action of the regional administrative agency or the Department, or unless a provider agency declines to continue its designation. The contract for services in a specified geographical area shall be awarded to a designated elder abuse provider agency for a period of one year. The contract for services may be renewed annually by the regional administrative agency, with the prior approval of the Department.

c)         A procurement process shall be held by the regional administrative agency for the designation of an elder abuse provider agency in each service area every six years, except as provided in subsection (f)(1).

d)         If a review of the proposals submitted during a procurement process fails to produce an acceptable provider agency for the service area, the regional administrative agency shall designate, with the prior approval of the Department, a qualified agency on an emergency basis.

e)         The regional administrative agency, after notification to, and concurrence by, the Department, may terminate the designation of an elder abuse provider agency for failure to provide services in accordance with the contract and this Part.

f)          If the designation of an elder abuse provider agency has been terminated, either at the initiative of the regional administrative agency or an elder abuse provider agency, the regional administrative agency shall designate, with the prior approval of the Department, a qualified agency on an emergency basis until such time that a subsequent procurement process produces an acceptable provider agency for the service area.

1)         When an organization or agency has been selected on an emergency basis, the agency shall be designated for the balance of the fiscal year in which such designation was awarded, and for up to one additional year.

2)         Not later than two years following the emergency designation, the regional administrative agency shall conduct a procurement process for the designation of an elder abuse provider agency for the specified service area.

g)         The regional administrative agencies shall provide technical assistance to elder abuse provider agencies and shall seek from Department staff policy clarifications and interpretations of standards and procedures.

h)         Regional administrative agencies shall monitor the performance of elder abuse provider agencies, according to Departmental policies.

(Source:  Added at 25 Ill. Reg. 5259, effective April 1, 2001)