Illinois § 64

§ 64.

Advisory Committee on Geriatric Services. (a) The Department shall establish an Advisory Committee on Geriatric Services to advise the Department on matters pertaining to the mental health needs of the elderly population within the State. The Secretary shall designate a person to serve as a liaison to the Advisory Committee and to the public. (b) The Committee shall consist of 13 members. (c) The members shall be appointed by the Secretary, and shall be representative of different geographical sections of the State and Statewide organizations, so far as possible, representing the limited English-speaking elderly, the protective service interests of vulnerable adults, the agencies providing case management services to the elderly, and administrators of model projects serving the mental health needs of the elderly through coordination of service delivery systems. One member of the Committee shall be the Director of the Department on Aging or his or her designee. (d) The appointments of the Committee shall be for 2 year terms. Members may serve more than one term. Vacancies among the members shall be filled by the Director. (e) The Committee shall provide for its organization and procedure including the election of the Chairperson and such other officers as deemed necessary. (f) The members of the committee shall receive no compensation for their services but shall be reimbursed by the Department for any ordinary and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. (g) The Committee shall have the following duties: (1) To assess the mental health needs of the elderly population in the State. (2) To recommend treatment methods and programs that are sensitive and relevant to the characteristics of the elderly population. (3) To provide consultation, technical assistance, training programs, and reference materials to service providers, organizations, and other agencies. (4) To promote awareness of geriatric mental health concerns, and encourage, promote, and aid in the establishment of geriatric services. (5) To disseminate information on available geriatric services. (6) To provide adequate and effective opportunities for the elderly population to express their views on Departmental policy development and program implementation. (h) For the purpose of this Section "geriatric" or "elderly population" shall mean and include any persons who are 60 years of age or older. (Source: P.A. 89-507, eff. 7-1-97.)