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~MO~NDUM continued Page 3 An important function specifies that the cc~amittees can establish linkages with the operators of the nc~es and the county Department of Social Services in order to maintain the splrit of the Bill of Rights. This linkage is important in that it Should assure the implementation of the provisions as they are stated in the law, and provides for a mechanism to assist the county Department of Social Services in identifying violations of these rights. The law also provides that the committee shall have access co the facility, its ~esidents, and the staff. Finally, in order for a facility to be licensed it must cooperate with the committee, where they exist. The Divisio~-of Aging, in its--advocate role for the state's older adult population strongly,..~ . · -end°rses the ..... concept,, of.local., community advisory . ~ mittees, that on the o~e:ha~.ehal!~k,'~improve.,the q~ality of life for the institutionalized ~ldgrlf~':'~bilg"gt[~h~,-e.a~'~fme i~crease the community'~in- volvement in assisting 'i~etitutl'ons"to'~tf~r~e~ this'group of people. Under this new law~ it -s up to ~he couD~y commissioners to decide w~ether or not to se ect a cu~unity advisory cotmmittee.to help.implement the intent of the law. It is' our experience from working with the 77 Nursing Home Community Advisory Committees for over the past two years that there are important benefits for the county in having an active advisory co{mmittee. Our records show that in addition ~o the required quarterly visits to each nursing hc~e, the Nursing Home Advisory Committees have made over 3 000 individual visits to residents in the homes during the past year. This significant display of concern and involvem~nt by volunteers throughout the state is being recognized around thn country as a most successful and innovative advocacy program for the institu- tionalized elderly. Moreover, the state's legislators are very supportive of this initiative, thus encouraging the appointment of the co~ittees in the law. Since there are no funds to support this initiative, they did not wish to man- date this part of the law on the counties. However. the selection of committees involves a volunteer program, and the Department of Human Resources is prepared co assist the committees in implementing their functions as specified under the law. Specifically, the Division of Aging through its Long Term Care ~sbudsman Program will train the co~m~ittees about their, roles ~d responsibilities under the law, and will provide ongoing technical assistance to committee members. The county Departments of Social Services as well as the Area Agencies on Aging will also assie~ in this endeavor. With the tightening and reduction of govern- ment funds to support human service programe, it is imperative that we use volunteer resources where possible to fill the gaps, and we believe that this program is capable of doing just that. We hope the couuty c_~m. mzssioners see the merit in this program and will appoint community advisory committees Lu serve the residents of domiciliary homes by January 1, 1982. If there is any way in which the Division of Aging c~ assist you, please contact us. It is our understanding that you will be receiving a complete copy of tbe Domiciliary Home Residents' Bill of Rights in the near future (if you have not received it already) from the Department of Human Resources. This will thoroughly explain the provisions of the law, and the role of the community ad- visory committees. The following information will hopefully be of assistance to you in selecting appropriate individuals to serve on the committees. a) ~pp6ih~< ~6m~dh{t~ '~d~sd~f~it'[ee ~tI ~i~'6Wn ~ption in a ~6u6ty h~i6g ~"le~st%~e'lic'~h~da6~icili~r~ home. b) De.~9~.~iA~,,.~,qoi~p0sit~on,"ahd ~i~ng~h~pf tgr~. o~ comm~hit~ ad~'isory ~"{mi~Wee~ Th~ l~w'does impose'the following require- ments on the composition of the cotmmittee: I-I '