Administration of Eldercare Trust Fund; powers of department

In administering the Eldercare Trust Fund, the department may, but is not limited to: (1) assess the critical needs of the frail elderly and establish priorities for meeting these needs; (2) receive gifts, bequests, and devises for deposit and investment into the trust fund for awarding grants to public and private nonprofit organizations; (3) solicit proposals for programs that are aimed at meeting identified service needs; (4) provide technical assistance to public and private nonprofit organizations, when requested, in preparing proposals for submission; (5) establish criteria for awarding grants; and (6) enter into contracts for the awarding of grants to public and private nonprofit organizations.