ID/DD Digest: April 2018

Wednesday, April 25, 2018

Secretary Azar to Speak at Congressional Briefing

Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Alex Azar will address attendees at the 2018 AHCA/NCAL Congressional Briefing. The Secretary will speak to post-acute and long-term care providers the morning of Tuesday, June 5, before the group goes to Capitol Hill to meet with lawmakers.

Secretary Azar was confirmed by the Senate on January 24 and was sworn in by Vice President Pence on January 29. He was formerly Deputy Secretary of HHS under George W. Bush from 2005 to 2007 and General Counsel of the agency prior to that. Before being confirmed as Secretary, Mr. Azar was President of the U.S. division of Eli Lilly and Company, a major pharmaceutical drug company.

Held on June 4 and 5 in Washington, D.C., Congressional Briefing offers attendees the chance to network with their peers, receive legislative briefings from professionals in the sector, as well as hear from other top voices in Washington. The Advanced Registration Deadline is May 7 and prospective attendees are encouraged to register as soon as possible.

Call for Entries: AHCA Awards Program

We are now accepting entries for the AHCA Awards Program. AHCA honors individuals who are committed to improving the quality of life for residents. The categories are as follows:

ID/DD Hero of the Year
Not for Profit Trustee of the Year
Not for Profit Program of the Year
Volunteer of the Year

Young Adult (Ages 13-19)
Adult
Group

Nominations packets are available on AHCA's website. In a change from previous years, Volunteer of the Year nominations may be submitted directly by centers in good standing with the state affiliate.

Please spread the word and take the time to submit a nomination. Honorees will be recognized at AHCA/NCAL's 69th Annual Convention and & Expo in San Diego.

Data Submission for AHRQ Nursing Home Survey

Nursing Homes that have administered AHRQ’s Nursing Home Survey on Patient Safety Culture can submit their data to the Database June 1-21, 2018. The results of this database, a Nursing Home User Database Report, will provide average scores and percentiles on the survey items and composites to help nursing homes assess their own results to identify strengths and opportunities for improvement. Nursing Homes must have licensed nursing home beds and be located in the U.S. or U.S. territories in order to submit.

Nursing Homes who have not previously administered the survey may still do so. The survey, toolkit materials, and information about data submission are available at http://www.ahrq.gov/professionals/quality-patient-safety/patientsafetyculture/nursing-home/index.html.

If you have any questions, call 888-324-9790 or email: DatabasesOnSafetyCulture@westat.com.

2018-2019 AHCA Elections and Solicitation for Candidates

The 2018-2019 election cycle has officially opened for AHCA members in good standing interested in running for the AHCA Board of Governors. The AHCA elections are for three officer positions (Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary/Treasurer), one Not for Profit Representative, one Multifacility Representative and three At-large Representatives. AHCA members interested in running for an AHCA Board position may obtain the necessary candidacy materials online. Applicants must complete and electronically submit the AHCA candidacy materials by close of business on May 21, 2018. Candidates will submit completed materials by sending an e-mail to Christy Herle.

The AHCA elections will take place during the second Council of States meeting at the AHCA/NCAL 69th Annual Convention & Expo, October 7 - 10 in San Diego, CA. Once the application phase has ended, the AHCA/NCAL Credentialing Committee will hold an in-person meeting to conduct a certification process for each candidate. Once certification occurs, AHCA will announce the slate of candidates to the membership. If you have further questions, contact Christy Herle.

2018-2019 NCAL Elections and Solicitation for Candidates

The 2018-2019 election cycle has officially opened for NCAL members in good standing interested in running for the NCAL Board of Directors.

· The NCAL elections are for three officer positions (Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary/Treasurer) and seven At-Large Representative positions. NCAL members interested in running for an NCAL Board position may obtain the necessary candidacy materials online.

· Applicants must complete and electronically submit the NCAL candidacy materials by close of business on May 21, 2018.

· Candidates will submit completed materials by sending an email to Katherine Preede.

· Once the application phase has ended, the AHCA/NCAL Credentialing Committee will hold an in-person meeting to conduct a certification process for each candidate. Once certification occurs, NCAL will announce the slate of candidates to the membership.

· The NCAL elections will take place during the second Council of States meeting at the NCAL/NCAL 69th Annual Convention & Expo, October 7-10 in San Diego, CA.

Please send any additional questions to Katherine Preede.

ICF/IID Reports

AHCA's Research Department has released the following June 2017 updates for use by AHCA/NCAL members:

If you have any questions relating to these reports, which include important ICF/IID state and national data, please contact AHCA’s Senior Research Analyst, Kiran Sreenivas.

Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Grassroots Advocacy – Facility Visits Over Recess

Holly Jarek, AHCA's ID/DD Committee Chair, encourages AHCA's ID/DD providers to participate in our grassroots advocacy efforts in 2018. AHCA would like to help you get facility tours and in-district meetings set up over future recess days. Please provide your name, facility address, and email address and we will craft the invite and send it to you to send to the Congressional office. The four brief steps for a successful facility tour visit can be found here. Please feel free to contact Matthew Smyth and Dana Halvorson who can help you with all of the logistics.

AHCA’s ID/DD Committee members, Renee Naylor (pictured to the left) and Kelly Head-Halladay (pictured to the right), met with Representative Kurt Schrader (D-OR-5), during AHCA’s ID/DD Residential Services Providers annual Hill Fly-In event.

U.S. Congressional Calendars

As you are planning your visits with members of Congress and their staff in Washington, D.C., or in your district, the Congressional calendars will be of assistance to you. The U.S. House of Representatives calendar for the 115^th Congress, second session, can be found here. The U.S. Senate schedule for 2018 can be found here.

AHCA/NCAL Advocacy App

If you haven’t already heard about it, then we wanted to alert you to a great app that allows you to keep abreast of AHCA advocacy efforts. Among other things, it provides important talking points, issue briefs and features that allow you to take action. It will be useful not only to you, but serves as a great way for providers to weigh in. You can get the app by clicking on the appropriate black box below.

Download our advocacy app!

VOR Corner

VOR is a national nonprofit organization advocating for high quality care and human rights for all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). VOR empowers its members to make and protect quality of life choices for individuals with developmental disabilities. Founded in 1983, VOR is a national 501(c)(3) organization governed by a volunteer board of directors and funded solely by dues and donations. VOR represents primarily individuals with intellectual disabilities and their families/guardians. VOR advocates that the final determination of what is appropriate depends on the unique abilities and needs of the individual and desires of the family and guardians. More information about VOR can be found here.

VOR's 2018 Annual Meeting and Legislative Initiative will take place from June 9 - 13, at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill. The Annual Meeting (June 9-10) will include State of the State Reports, presentation of new officers and Board members, and reports from the President and Excutive Director. Speakers to be announced. The Legislative Agenda (June 10 - 13) will include protecting Medicaid among other issues. For more information, contact info@vor.net or call us toll-free at 877-399-4867.

Developmental Disabilities Nurses Association (DDNA) and 2019 Annual Conference

As the premier resource for practicing I/DD nurses, DDNA is committed to providing quality education programs that include cutting edge content with practical application. The DDNA 27^th Annual Education Conference will be held in New Orleans, LA, from June 7 – 10, 2019. For more information about the DDNA conference or to become a member, visit their website at: DDNA.org.

We’ve Got You Covered! AHCA/NCAL Insurance Solutions Website

AHCA members have access to key Medicaid and Medicare information through the State of the States Clearinghouse. The AHCA State of the States Clearinghouse is a one stop shop for key Medicaid and Medicare information impacting the long term care profession.

This resource provides valuable data, including:

Overview of the demographic landscape;
State-specific nursing center occupancy and ownership breakouts;
Certificate of Need requirements for nursing centers and state licensure requirements;
State data on the cost of care for long term services and supports;
State data on the total number of Medicare enrollees;
Data on state Medicare Advantage plan enrollees and comparisons to the national average;
State and national Medicaid expenditure data;
State Medicaid rates, costs and shortfalls;
And other significant state-specific data related to payment structure, managed long term services and home and community based services coverage.

AHCA will continue to provide the most up-to-date information through the Clearinghouse and share new data/resources as they become available. Also be sure to visit the AHCA Medicaid Page to learn more about the program and to access additional AHCA members-only Medicaid resources.

AHCA’s State of the States Clearinghouse

This resource provides valuable data, including:

Overview of the demographic landscape;
State-specific nursing center occupancy and ownership breakouts;
Certificate of Need requirements for nursing centers and state licensure requirements;
State data on the cost of care for long term services and supports;
State data on the total number of Medicare enrollees;
Data on state Medicare Advantage plan enrollees and comparisons to the national average;
State and national Medicaid expenditure data;
State Medicaid rates, costs and shortfalls;
And other significant state-specific data related to payment structure, managed long term services and home and community based services coverage.

Articles and Resources of Interest

5 Ways to Improve Your Charity’s Transparency – trust.guidestar.org
Consider ACHCA Administrator Credentialing as Part of Your Professional Growth Plan – longtermcareleader.com
RNs with Strong Gerontological Nursing Skills Help Reduce Rehospitalizations – longtermcareleader.com
The Number of Open LTC Jobs Doubles in April – longtermcareleader.com
Gero Nurse Prep Spring Sale Ends April 30: Register Your RNs Today! – longtermcareleader.com
Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) on Community Living and Participation for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities – grants.gov
For Aspiring Doctors With Disabilities, Many Med Schools Come Up Short – disabilityscoop.com

Legislative and Agency Corner

Summary of ACL Stakeholder Discussion: Opioid Public Health Emergency – acl.gov
Pandemic Basics – cdc.gov
National Pandemic Strategy – cdc.gov
Monitoring for Influenza Viruses – cdc.gov
CMS ICF/IID Memorandum Recently Released – longtermcareleader.com
HCBS Settings Rule: Spotlight on Memory Care – longtermcareleader.com
Updated OIG Work Plan – longtermcareleader.com

OIG Report Summarizing Activity by Medicaid Fraud Control Units – longtermcareleader.com
Trump Signs Bill Adding Protections For Social Security, SSI Recipients – disabilityscoop.com
Despite Law, Funds To Address Wandering Remain In Limbo – disabilityscoop.com
Caregivers Lobby For Better Pay – disabilityscoop.com
Lawmakers Seek Reparations For People Sterilized – disabilityscoop.com

AHCA/NCAL Learning Management Website

AHCA/NCAL has a comprehensive online Learning Management System to support the training needs of its members. The website, known as ahcancalED, contains a wealth of information including educational programs, webinars, instructional videos, training courses, and other tools. It is available free to AHCA/NCAL members.

"We created ahcancalED for our members who do not have the time or budget to develop the newest in-service training," said Dr. David Gifford, AHCA/NCAL Senior Vice President of Quality and Regulatory Affairs. "Our objective also was to provide the best and latest educational tools, especially as CMS increases its regulatory requirements about staff training and competency in a number of areas. ahcancalED is designed to help individuals in our profession do a better job of caring for patients and residents and advance in their careers."

The information on ahcancalED is structured to make the online learning experience engaging, meaningful, and interactive for users. The fresh graphics and clearly defined sections within the site make it easy for users to navigate and find the information they need. The site also allows users to track their own learning progress.

Teams of experts from around the country working with AHCA/NCAL staff helped to create the content. "We will constantly be adding new programs and materials so that we can keep the site fresh and dynamic," said Gifford. "We'll continue to look for new ways the site can grow and serve our members. It's a great value-added benefit and a tangible example of our commitment to enhancing quality."

ahcancalED can be accessed at https://educate.ahcancal.org/. Suggestions for content or other site enhancements can be submitted to the ahcancalED team at educate@ahca.org. AHCA/NCAL welcomes ideas that will help improve quality and strengthen the knowledge, skills and attitudes of staff in the long term and post-acute care community.

Webinars of Interest

Stay informed and tune in to ahcancalED for several pre-recorded and live webinars on topics impacting the long-term care profession. Webinars that might be of interest are noted below.

You also might be interested in an AADMD Virtual Grand Rounds Aging in Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities webinar, which can be viewed here. The ARC has also has webinars this year that might be of interest.

From the Blog of Josh Linkner

Noted on the Josh Linkner blog, “To Josh Linkner, creativity and innovation are the lifeblood of all human progress. As such, he’s spent his career harnessing the power of creative disruption. His journey has been non-traditional at every step. As the founder and CEO of four tech companies, Josh built his businesses from a blank page into a combined value of over $200 million. As a hyper-growth CEO of over 20 years, he’s used innovative approaches to topple competitors, fight through adversity, and achieve at the highest levels.” The bio section of Linkner’s blog goes on to include that, “Josh is an internationally-recognized thought leader and top-rated keynote speaker on innovation, creativity, reinvention, and hyper-growth leadership. His keynotes are focused on not only inspiring audiences, but also sharing actionable strategies to drive meaningful outcomes.”

Read some of Linkner’s blogs below. In addition, you can view some of his keynote speaking addresses here.

National Association of States United for Aging and Disabilities

The National Association of States United for Aging and Disabilities (NASUAD) holds a monthly call or webinar concerning topics of interest to those who work in the field of aging and disability. One of the past calls focused on resources for people with Alzheimer’s and related dementias and their caregivers. Information about future calls, and audio recording of previous ones, can be found here.

Upcoming 2018 Events

2018 National Skilled Nursing Care Week – May 13-19, 2018
AHCA/NCAL Congressional Briefing (Washington, D.C.) – June 4-5, 2018
AHCA/NCAL 69th Annual Convention and Exposition (San Diego, CA) – October 7-10, 2018

2018 Health Care Observances

May 2018 marks, among other observances, National American Stroke Month, Healthy Vision Month, Employee Health and Fitness Month, Older Americans Month, and Better Hearing and Speech Month. The 2018 Healthcare Observances Calendar can be found here.