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f) Public hearings and public comment opportunities for the public to voice their opinions and comment on DEAP services. g) Participation on Committees, Panels, Workshops, Summits, Conferences, and meetings to inform and educate stakeholders about DEAP services.

502.

The DEAP program has been in existence since the early eighties and is well known to some populations; however, because the low-income population is not static, it is important that the program continue to reach out to new households to ensure that all families in need are made aware of the availability of benefits.

Moreover, the program serves a relatively large number of households. It is a gateway to other services offered by the sub grantee. Outreach opens up additional services to families who may need help beyond energy assistance.

Outreach planning is a coordinated effort between the OCS and the sub grantee.

503.

As part of the overall planning process, the sub grantee is required to maintain an Outreach Plan across their service area which is updated annually. The plan should (1) emphasize the at-risk group(s) to whom outreach efforts are to be targeted; (2) the specific efforts which will be employed to reach the group(s) and (3) the method which will be used to measure the outcome of the outreach efforts. The Plan and the results of the Plan will be monitored by the OCS during its annual administrative review of the sub grantee.

504.

Traditionally, the Delaware program has emphasized outreach to the elderly and disabled at-risk groups. While it is important to maintain this effort, the program should also make efforts to reach out to families with young children under six who may have a relatively high energy burden along with household expenses peculiar to that group. The DEAP is requesting that this group be addressed in the next Sub grantee Outreach Plan.

Outreach materials should include:

a) Name and purpose of the DEAP program, b) Sub grantee agency contact : name, address, central information, phone, website, c) Temporary intake site locations, availability dates, d) Available special application procedure, e) Name of the grant (LIHEAP) and state agency (DHSS), f) Statement of non-discrimination, g) Funded by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Health and Social Services, Division of State Service Centers (DHHS/DHSS/DSSC).