208.606. Public education, at-risk elderly, purpose--action steps to be devised, preference for contacts. - Missouri Statutes

Public education, at-risk elderly, purpose--action steps to bedevised, preference for contacts.

208.606. 1. The department of social services through itsdivision of aging, in collaboration with other state agencies,shall devise and implement a competent, thorough and ongoingpublic education program aimed at at-risk elderly persons. Thepurpose of this public education program is to identify regularlyand inform fully elderly citizens of the existence, eligibilitycriteria, means of access and location of existing federal andstate elderly service programs that would serve to alleviatepersonal situations that would otherwise lead to hunger anddeterioration of health. Such programs would include, but arenot limited to, the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary Program, theUSDA Food Stamp Program, the Medical Assistance SpenddownProgram, the availability of local food pantries, theavailability of caseworkers to take application in the home forelderly service programs, and any other program that might becomeavailable to assist elderly persons in the future.

2. This public education program shall devise action stepswith preference toward personal as opposed to mass mediacontacts. Among the methods to be used may be:

(1) Offering grants to local nonprofit service agencies tocarry out public education programs;

(2) Producing brochures in easy-to-read language andformats using enlarged lettering;

(3) Holding information sessions at senior nutrition sitesand with senior service agencies, such as the area agencies onaging, and with other agencies or service providers who serve theelderly;

(4) Organizing volunteer gatekeeper programs in communitieswith a high percentage of vulnerable elderly persons;

(5) Applying for a statewide Volunteers in Service toAmerica or the VISTA Program to assist the state in organizingvolunteer public education efforts.

(L. 1994 S.B. 426 § 3)