§16-5S-5. Powers and duties of the Bureau of Senior Services.

The bureau shall be the designated state agency to:

(a) Develop and administer the state plan as required by the federal administration on aging;

(b) Be the primary agency responsible for the planning, policy development, administration, coordination, priority setting and evaluation of activities related to this article;

(c) Serve as an effective and visible advocate for older West Virginians;

(d) Divide the state into distinct planning and service areas and designate for each area a public or private nonprofit agency or organization as the area agency on aging as required by the federal administration on aging;

(e) Provide technical assistance and information to area agencies on aging and local service providers as appropriate and conduct monitoring of area agencies on aging to ensure compliance with applicable rules, regulations and standards;

(f) Maintain client and service data using a standardized computer client tracking system through which all providers shall report required information;

(g) Maintain letters of agreement with the Department of Human Services to provide program operations of the personal care and aged and disabled waiver programs; and

(h) Maintain a registry of companies and organizations that provide free medications or provide assistance to persons in securing medications, and make this information available to consumers through all local senior programs.