There shall be a Department of Aging and Veterans Affairs, the head of which shall be the Director. The Director of the Department shall oversee the Hudson County Local Division on Aging and the Hudson County Office of Veterans' Affairs as well as the Office of Transportation Services. There shall be a Deputy Director who shall act in the absence of the Director.
[Added 2-22-2024 by Ord. No. 121-2-2024[1]]
Within the Department shall be the Division on Aging, the head of which shall be the Division Chief, said office shall have, exercise and discharge the functions, powers and duties of the Division of Aging as heretofore or hereafter provided by general law, ordinance or resolution. The Division shall serve as the Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) lead agency for the County, ensuring seniors, adults with disabilities and their caregivers have easy access to information and long-term services and support. The Division shall:
A.
Coordinate all programs on aging regardless of funding source, and serve as the central source for information and referral for services and programs.
B.
Prepare an area plan on aging, which shall include an analysis of the needs and existing service within the County and a comprehensive plan for the delivery of services to older adults, individuals with disabilities and their caregivers.
C.
Administer the annual allocation of Federal Older Americans Act and state funds from the New Jersey Division of Aging and Community Services for projects and services within the County.
D.
Monitor and evaluate projects funded under the area plan.
E.
Serve as advocate to increase the public's understanding of the aging population.
F.
Advise local governments and the New Jersey Division of Aging Services of unmet needs, and recommend legislation to the state where appropriate.
Within the Department there shall be an Office of Transportation Services, commonly known as "Transcend-Transportation Services Coordination for the Elderly and Disabled" under the direction and supervision of the Director.
A.
The Director may designate a program coordinator to oversee the day-to-day operation and all other aspects of the Office of Senior Citizen and Disabled Resident Transportation Assistance.
B.
The Director or the program coordinator shall be responsible for all activities whatsoever relative to the County inclusion and participation in the New Jersey Grant Program entitled "Senior Citizen and Disabled Resident Transportation Assistance Program" and/or related state or federal programs as they may from time to time become available.
C.
Responsibilities of the Office include the scheduling of drivers and aides if appropriate, the plotting of routes and schedules, including pickup and drop-offs, and the acquisition and maintenance of appropriate vehicles, including scheduled maintenance and urgent repairs, as some will be conducted within the Motor Pool as defined in this Code at Article XIII, Department of Roads and Public Property, under § 5-92.
The Office of Veterans' Affairs provides information, assistance and referral services to veterans residing in Hudson County in order to improve their quality of life, which is accomplished by carrying out the following activities:
A.
Connecting veterans to services and advocate for veterans to ensure their needs are met.
B.
Coordinating outreach and educational events highlighting veteran's entitlements and other services targeted to this population.
C.
Organizing recognition events to acknowledge the County's appreciation for their service to Hudson County.
D.
Assisting with burials of indigent veterans.
E.
Distributing and placing flags on Hudson County veterans' graves.