§ 157.02. Powers and duties of the department.

The Department of Senior Programs and Services shall:

1.

Identity ^[] and prioritize the needs of the elderly, including the assessment of present and future needs of senior citizens in order to insure the continuance of beneficial programs and to implement additional services according to need and demographics, as well as including the assessment of present and future needs of disabled senior citizens;

2.

Create comprehensive and coordinated plans to meet the needs of the elderly;

3.

Advocate for policies, programs, actions, legislation and resources on behalf of the elderly;

4.

Conduct activities and develop programs and services to enhance the quality of life for the elderly;

5.

Provide information regarding opportunities and services for the elderly, including the gathering and dissemination of information relating to the needs of the aging and informing the public through an awareness program of the services and facilities available to senior citizens;

6.

Identify federal and state funding and grant sources for programs beneficial to senior citizens and, in accordance with law, submit applications for such federal and state funds and grants;

7.

Coordinate with the cities, towns and villages within the county for community-based programs for senior citizens and to cooperate with and assist cities, towns and villages in the development of local programs for senior citizens;

8.

Initiate and monitor programs to preserve the safety of senior citizens with respect to transportation in conjunction with the Westchester County Department of Public Works and Transportation and the Westchester County Office for the Disabled and initiate and monitor programs to preserve the safety of senior citizens with respect to crime prevention in conjunction with the Westchester County District Attorney and the Westchester County Department of Public Safety;

9.

Refer the public to appropriate departments and agencies of the state and federal government for advice, assistance and available services in connection with particular problems or issues;

10.

Consult and cooperate with schools and universities, colleges and institutions in the county for the development of courses of study for senior citizens and courses of study for persons engaged in public and private programs for senior citizens;

11.

Assist, to the extent permitted by law and to the extent of appropriations for this purpose, the courts in providing services and assistance to senior citizens who are the subject of proceedings pursuant to Article 81 of the Mental Hygiene Law; and

12.

Perform such other duties as may be prescribed by law or required by the County Executive or the County Board.

(Added by L.L. No. 9-2001; amended by L.L. No. 19-2010, § 6 ^[])