(a) The Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 (United States Code, Title 42 §§4950 et seq.) and Code of Federal Regulations, Title 45, §2552.24 require the creation of advisory councils to secure community participation in the local operation of the Foster Grandparent Program (the Program). DADS operates the Program in eight geographically defined service areas where foster grandparents are recruited, enrolled, and assigned. An independent Foster Grandparent Program Advisory Council (FGPAC) is located in each service area.     
      (b) The tasks of an FGPAC include:      
        (1) assisting the Program to recruit volunteers and volunteer stations where foster grandparents are assigned;       
        (2) assisting the Program to meet its administrative and program responsibilities, including fund-raising, publicity, and volunteer recognition events;       
        (3) assisting with annual appraisals or surveys of the Program; and       
        (4) assisting the Program to recruit FGPAC members.       
      (c) An FGPAC is composed of no more than 15 members. A quorum of 5 members is required to convene a meeting and transact business.     
      (d) The membership of an FGPAC must be diverse and reflect the demographics of the geographically defined service area in which foster grandparents are assigned. Members must be knowledgeable of the human and social needs of the service area, competent in the fields of community service, volunteerism, and children's issues, and must be able to assist the FGPAC in completing the tasks described in subsection (b) of this section.     
      (e) An FGPAC meets no less than semi-annually and submits minutes of the meetings to the commissioner or designee.     
      (f) The FGPACs are abolished on March 1, 2026.     
     Source Note:        The provisions of this §89.5 adopted to be effective March 20, 2016, 41 TexReg 1971