71-2-416 - Adult day care and senior centers as model programs. - Tennessee Statutes

71-2-416. Adult day care and senior centers as model programs.

(a)  The department of finance and administration shall designate up to five (5) publicly or privately supported adult day care centers or senior centers within the state as model programs worthy of emulation with respect to one (1) or more of the following activities:

     (1)  Comprehensive health education programs;

     (2)  Nutrition assessment and screening;

     (3)  Nutrition counseling; or

     (4)  Health or nutrition referral services.

(b)  The selected model programs shall be programs that are designed to enhance the dignity and wellness of senior citizens and to encourage the independence and involvement of senior citizens in the community. The selected model programs must also be designed to achieve a tangible impact in areas that are traditionally socially and economically underserved.

(c)  Prior to designating the model programs, nominations shall be solicited from across the state. In selecting model programs, due consideration shall be given to the level of community acceptance and support for the programs and to the techniques by which the acceptance and support have been achieved.

(d)  Subject to the availability of funding for such purposes as contained within the fiscal year 2007-08 budget of the department of finance and administration, state grants shall be awarded to the model programs selected pursuant to this section. The dollar amount of each grant awarded shall be determined by the commissioner of finance and administration. Payment of any grant to any model program shall be conditional upon the willingness of the chief administrative officer of the program to provide informational and consultative assistance to those agencies of state or local government that may desire to emulate, in whole or in part, the model program. Any grant so received by a publicly supported agency shall be in addition to all other public funds that may be otherwise appropriated to the agency and it is not intended to supplant any other funding resource. Any funds not paid to a model program by June 30, 2008, shall revert to the general fund.

(e)  The commissioner of finance and administration shall undertake appropriate activities to publicize the department of finance and administration's activities in implementing this section and to publicize the activities and achievements of the model programs.

[Acts 2007, ch. 573, § 1.]