The department shall do all of the following:

(a) Enter into agreements and negotiated contracts with any nonprofit organization or governmental entity to operate the local sites, consistent with the criteria adopted pursuant to Section 9563. In letting these contracts, the department shall not anticipate future appropriations.

(b) Make grants to local sites from available funds.

(c) Monitor local sites.

(d) Cause the service sites to be evaluated in accordance with the established criteria.

(e) Seek and utilize any available federal, state, or private funds that may be available for carrying out the purposes of this chapter.

(f) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, local sites established pursuant to this chapter may contract with the Director of Health Services as Medi-Cal programs pursuant to Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 14200) of Part 3 of Division 9. Contracts with the local sites shall be deemed to be for the purposes specified in Section 14494, and may utilize funds appropriated from the Health Care Deposit Fund pursuant to Section 14157.

(g) Assist in coordinating local site programs with local governmental programs and services for older individuals.

(Added by Stats. 1996, Ch. 1097, Sec. 13. Effective January 1, 1997.)