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Public Involvement Process Strategies and Desired Outcomes This section describes how Erie County Department for the Aging will disseminate vital agency information and engage the public in the decision-making process. We will seek out and consider the input and needs of interested parties and groups traditionally underserved by transportation systems. These groups may face challenges accessing our services, such as minority and limited English proficient (LEP) persons. Underlying these efforts is our commitment to determining the most effective public involvement methods for a given project or population. Erie County Department for the Aging serves clients who have registered for services that are residents of Erie County, NY, 60 years of age or older, or are under the age of 60 and are disabled. These services are funded by the New York State Office for Aging (Funder). The Funder, as a recipient of federal financial assistance, must comply with all Title VI requirements in the development and delivery of their programs. Erie County Department for the Aging serves all individuals who are determined by the Funder to be eligible for services, without regard to race, color, or national origin and low-income status. Public Outreach Activities Erie County Department for the Aging’ program decision-making public involvement is limited to the population that meets the eligibility criteria set by the New York Office For Aging (Funder). The Funder is the lead agency for public involvement in the decision-making process with the goal of offering minority and low-income individuals the opportunity to comment on the benefits of the program services being provided with federal financial assistance. The Funder outreach consists of relationship building with agencies and stakeholders (such as Northwest Buffalo Community Center, North Buffalo Community Center Schiller Park Senior Center, Matt Urban Center, and Hispanics United of Buffalo) that provide services to minority, low income and LEP communities Erie County Department for the Aging assists the Funder during events and the enrollment period as well as promoting the Funder’s public involvement campaign to a diverse community. Members of the public who request notices and or handouts in a language other than English will be referred to staff who can provide interpretation assistance or to the Funder for assistance. Strategies and Desired Outcomes Erie County Department for the Aging is required to develop and implement an Annual Implementation Plan (AIP). This document describes the proactive strategies, procedures, and desired outcomes that underpin our organization’s public participation activities. The determination of how specific public participation activities should take place, and which specific measures are most appropriate is based on the following: • A demographic analysis of the persons Erie County Department for the Aging serves and/or are eligible to receive services. • The type of transportation program and/or service Erie County Department for the Aging provides. • The resources available to Erie County Department for the Aging for public outreach. 77 | P a g e – E r i e C o u n t y G o i n g P l a c e s P o l i c y a n d P r o c e d u r e