(a) The area agency shall serve as the public advocate for the development or enhancement of comprehensive and coordinated community-based systems of services in each community throughout the planning and service area.

(b) In carrying out this responsibility, the area agency shall:

(1) Monitor, evaluate, and, where appropriate, comment on all policies, programs, hearings, levies, and community actions which affect older persons;

(2) Solicit comments from the public on the needs of older persons;

(3) Represent the interests of older persons to local level and executive branch officials, public and private agencies or organizations;

(4) Consult with and support the State's long-term care ombudsman program; and

(5) Undertake on a regular basis activities designed to facilitate the coordination of plans and activities with all other public and private organizations, including units of general purpose local government, with responsibilities affecting older persons in the planning and service area to promote new or expanded benefits and opportunities for older persons; and

(c) Each area agency on aging shall undertake a leadership role in assisting communities throughout the planning and service area to target resources from all appropriate sources to meet the needs of older persons with greatest economic or social need, with particular attention to low income minority individuals. Such activities may include location of services and specialization in the types of services must needed by these groups to meet this requirement. However, the area agency may not permit a grantee or contractor under this part to employ a means test for services funded under this part.

(d) No requirement in this section shall be deemed to supersede a prohibition contained in the Federal appropriation on the use of Federal funds to lobby the Congress; or the lobbying provision applicable to private nonprofit agencies and organizations contained in OMB Circular A-122.