<p> FAMILY CAREGIVER COUNCIL 1 GUIDELINES</p><p>PURPOSE To advise the Director of the New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) on issues relating to family caregivers. The family caregiver council should address and include five basic elements: (a) a strong statement of support for family caregivers; (b) a comprehensive mapping and evaluation of existing services and family caregiver needs; (c) a review of key policies and practices; (d) the establishment of a mechanism to coordinate these activities and to propose new and expanded services and policy implementation; and (e) a focus on strengthening local agencies to reach, assess, and support caregivers. </p><p>MEMBERSHIP Council members will include varying types of caregivers (including spouses/partners, adult children, parents of children with special health needs, family friends, faith group members and grandparents and other relative providers), organizations representing and serving persons of all ages with disabilities and their caregivers and other experts in the field of caregiving. Ex-officio members will include the DOH, OMH, OMRDD, OASIS, SED, OTDA, NYS Women’s Advisory, Commission of Quality Care and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities and other state agencies that provide services to patients/clients cared for by voluntary caregivers. </p><p>The Council shall consist of at least 20 members appointed by the Director.</p><p> A Chairperson of the Council is selected by the Director and shall serve as chairperson at the discretion of the Director;</p><p> a majority of members should be actively involved as family caregivers;</p><p> members are selected from all regions of the state </p><p> to promote continuity of its mission, members are appointed for staggered terms of up to three years, assuming state budget funding will continue to support this Council beyond the 2007-08 SFY. Any member chosen to fill a vacancy created other than by a term expiration will be appointed for the unexpired term of the member(s) he succeeds.</p><p>RESPONSIBILITIES OF MEMBERS  To attend regularly scheduled meetings. If a member has two consecutive absences, the term may be deemed vacant for purposes of nomination and appointment of a successor.</p><p> To review materials specific to agenda items sent prior to meetings in order to discuss issues;</p><p>1 Please note: The title of this Council is derived from statute but the intent is to be inclusive of all relationships that provide voluntary caregiving, including partner, friend and faith community member as well as those already included in legal definitions of family.</p><p>1  To advise the Director of NYSOFA, who in turn will convey information to the Governor and appropriate state agencies, on issues relating to state policy affecting family caregivers.</p><p> To become knowledgeable about caregiving problems, issues, and programs. To accomplish this, members should direct NYSOFA to engage in the following activities:</p><p> a. Mapping and evaluation of existing services, identifying service gaps and unmet needs of caregivers b. Identifying and reviewing current policies that affect caregivers c. Ensuring that addressing the interests and needs of caregivers are integral to the operation of local systems that manage access to services</p><p>RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE NEW YORK STATE OFFICE FOR THE AGING The Office for the Aging will provide the Council with:</p><p> staff designated by the Director to support the Council in fulfilling its functions;</p><p> additional staff resources for consultation and technical assistance as indicated by agenda items;</p><p> background information and materials necessary to assist in the development of Council recommendations; </p><p> travel expenses to attend meetings, including funds for respite care as needed within budget constraints, a meeting place, appropriate meals and provisions for communications with staff between meetings;</p><p> liaison opportunities with staff from state agencies outside of NYSOFA to ensure comprehensive agenda items, background information, discussion, and deliberations.</p><p>MEETING INFORMATION</p><p> Council meetings will be held 3-4 times a year, beginning in September 2007; </p><p> The Director will ensure participation of appropriate NYSOFA staff. In the absence of a Chairperson, the Director will appoint an Acting Chairperson to conduct a meeting.</p><p> The exact dates, location and times of meetings will be determined by NYSOFA in consultation with the Council. Members will be given sufficient notification.</p><p> Committee agendas are developed by the Chairperson in consultation with the NYSOFA staff. Members may submit items for meeting agendas. Minutes will be sent to all members.</p><p>2</p>