Legislative and Agency Corner

• Congress Returns for Busy September – longtermcareleader.com
• Report to Congress: Young Adults and Transitioning Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder – hhs.gov
• National Research Summit on Care, Services and Supports for Persons with Dementia and Their Caregivers: Pre-Summit Activities – aspe.hhs.gov
• The ABLE Act: A Tool for Financial Stability and Employment Outcomes National Online Dialogue – epolicyworks.org
• Feds Clarify New Rule For Special Needs Trusts – disabilityscoop.com
• States Get Guidance On ABLE Accounts, Medicaid Eligibility – disabilityscoop.com
• Court Weighs Justice Department Role In ADA Enforcement – disabilityscoop.com
• Rental Market Unkind To Those With Developmental Disabilities – disabilityscoop.com
• Feds Award Millions For Autism Research – 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 coming up that might be of interest are below.  

• Quality Initiative Series Webinar on Customer Satisfaction
• 2017 HUD Updates on Residential Care Facilities Asset Management

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.  Finally, in October, there will be a State of the Science: Advances at the Intersection of Aging and Long-Term Disability webinar series hosted with support from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research and the National Council on Aging.  More details on this webinar series, including how to register, can be found here.  

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.

• 7 Powerful Lessons from Ancient Japanese Wisdom
• Planting Seeds
• How One Pizza Delivery Inspired the Nation
• Four Powerful Questions
• Here’s What Happened When a Brilliant Entrepreneur Got Ticked  
• A Life-Changing 2.97%

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 2017 Events

• 68th Annual AHCA/NCAL Convention & Expo in Las Vegas – October 14-18, 2017
• ID/DD Day at the AHCA/NCAL Convention & Expo – October 17, 2017

2017 Health Care Observances

October 2017 marks, among other observances, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, National Dental Hygiene Month, Residents’ Rights Month and National Physical Therapy Month.  The full 2017 health care related observances calendar can be found here.