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Status Report: HCBS Settings Rule State Transition Plan
On April 13, 2016 by Danielle Salisbury
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has updated the Transition Plan for Home and Community-Based Services Settings web page with more information on the status of their statewide transition plan.
Welcome New Members
On April 13, 2016 by Jodi Boyne
LeadingAge Minnesota continues to grow as a diverse and statewide cohort of individuals and organizations working together to transform and enhance the experience of aging. Our Board of Directors last week formally approved the following new members:
Franken Introduces Elder Protection and Abuse Prevention Act
On April 13, 2016 by Jodi Boyne
Senator Al Franken has introduced legislation to help protect seniors from abuse. The Elder Protection and Abuse Prevention Act would implement a comprehensive network or elder abuse and prevention measures, including elder screening requirements in federally-supported senior services.
On Your Phone, Tablet or PC – Watch Capitol News Update
On April 13, 2016 by Jodi Boyne
Have you seen Capitol News Update this session? Our new format – a weekly taped video – is available on our YouTube channel. You can watch it at your convenience on your phone, tablet or PC. Our Advocacy Team provides a weekly update on all the happenings at the State Capitol and previews what’s in store for the week ahead. Stay informed. Watch Capitol News Update each week
Congress Re-Authorizes Older Americans Act
On April 13, 2016 by Jodi Boyne
The U.S. Senate took action last week to reauthorize the Older Americans Act for three years. Passage of this measure, which provides essential funding to home and community-based services, is the direct result of years of grassroots advocacy from LeadingAge and its members.
Adult Day Survey Results Identify Challenges in Capacity and Funding
On April 13, 2016 by Roni Falck
The results are in. Nearly 60 providers completed the inaugural LeadingAge Minnesota Adult Day Services Legislative Survey. From unused capacity and unreimbursed expenses to payer sources, the survey provides a snapshot of today’s marketplace for adult day services and the challenges providers face. Highlights include:
Board on Aging, EW Payment Issues and Shareholder’s Report Featured at April Board Meeting
On April 13, 2016 by Gayle Kvenvold
A theme of collaboration, reform and progress ran through the LeadingAge Minnesota Board of Directors meeting last week.
Apply Now: LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation Caregiver Scholarship Program
On April 13, 2016 by Lori Meyer
The LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation is now accepting applications for its third annual Caregiver Scholarship Program. This program funds scholarships to help employees of LeadingAge Minnesota member organizations access higher education and advance their careers in older adult services.
20 Questions on the Minnesota Food Code
On April 13, 2016 by Danielle Salisbury
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) addresses the most impactful proposed changes to the Minnesota Food Code in a new document, 20 Questions: The Proposed Major Changes of Concern to the Minnesota Food Code.
Long Term Care Imperative Bills Continue to Make Headway at State Capitol
On April 13, 2016 by Danielle Salisbury
We have now passed second committee deadline in which bills must have been heard in all policy committees in both the Minnesota House and Minnesota Senate in order to be considered further this legislative session. Our Long Term Care Imperative priorities, which include a funding increase for home and community-based services, senior care workforce promotional campaign, moratorium funding for nursing homes and long term care finance modeling, have all met the deadline. Here is a status report on these bills:
House GOP Releases Budget Targets
On April 13, 2016 by Jodi Boyne
Minnesota House Republicans released their budget targets last week, spending a majority of the $900 million state surplus on taxes and transportation. The Senate has not yet released its budget targets. For details on the House budget targets and what they mean for our priorities, see Senior Vice President of Advocacy Kari Thurlow's analysis on Capitol News Update.
Advocacy Alert: Tell Congress to Support Aging Services Technologies
On April 6, 2016 by Jodi Boyne
There are several bills before Congress that would advance technology solutions, such as Internet access, remote monitoring and telehealth, to help older adults age more independently in their homes. We need you to contact your U.S. Senators and U.S. Representative to tell them to support four bills:
Sammy Schmitz, Healthcare Services Group, Plays in The Masters
On April 6, 2016 by Jodi Boyne
Playing for the coveted Green Jacket at Augusta National Golf Club is every golfer’s dream. This week, Sammy Schmitz, a regional sales director with Healthcare Services Group, will be living the dream when he tees off in one of the most prestigious tournaments in golf – The Masters.
Leadership Academy Class of 2016-2017 Announced
On April 6, 2016 by Barbara Landeen
LeadingAge Minnesota is proud to announce the 32 leaders who have been accepted into the Leadership Academy for 2016-2017:
PENWorks 2016 Focuses on Creating Quality, Continuous Improvement & Organizational Excellence
On April 6, 2016 by Lori Meyer
The PENWorks 2016 Conference is just around the corner and LeadingAge Minnesota members interested in quality and organizational excellence are encouraged to attend. This annual event offered by the Performance Excellence Network (PEN) includes best practices for achieving -- and sustaining -- organizational excellence from over 25 high performing local, regional, and national organizations, as well as experts in the field of continuous improvement.
Key Long Term Care Priorities Advance at State Capitol
On April 6, 2016 by Danielle Salisbury
A busy week at the State Capitol came to an end with good news for several of our core legislative priorities. Here is an update on where these bills stand:
Important Budget Decisions Being Made - Call Your State Representative Today
On April 6, 2016 by Danielle Salisbury
The Minnesota House of Representatives will make important budget decisions within the next few days that will impact our ability to receive a rate increase for Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS). We need you to contact your lawmakers today to tell them to support the Best Life Alliance bill.
LeadingAge Minnesota to Partner with DHS on Workforce Summit
On April 6, 2016 by Adam Suomala
LeadingAge Minnesota participated in the first convening of the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) advisory committee to develop a Direct Care Workforce Summit. Envisioned as a one-day event, participants from a variety of stakeholder organizations will gather on July 26 for a discussion around ways to grow Minnesota’s direct care workforce.
Member Feedback Needed for Senior Housing Workforce Survey
On April 6, 2016 by Jeff Bostic
To help us illustrate the workforce challenges senior housing providers face in the current labor market, we are seeking member feedback on a new Senior Housing Workforce Legislative Survey.
DHS Seeks Comments on What Defines a Person’s Own Home
On April 6, 2016 by Bobbie Guidry
A 30-day comment period is now open to provide feedback on a new policy clarifying what determines when a setting is considered a person’s own home, and therefore does not require a residential program license, or if it is not the person’s own home and does require a residential license.
Don’t Get Cited for TB Deficiencies. Use Our New TB Compliance Guide.
On April 6, 2016 by Elizabeth Sether, RN, MHA, LNHA
Tuberculosis Prevention and Control has been and continues to be the most frequently cited tag in the Comprehensive Home Care Survey. This tag, in particular, is one members can reduce the likelihood of receiving by using our new Tuberculosis Compliance Guide.
Additional Workforce Funding: Summer Internship Program Deadline is April 15
On April 6, 2016 by Adam Suomala
The Summer Health Care Internship Program (SHCIP) is an often underutilized grant program of the Minnesota Department of Health Office’s of Rural Health & Primary Care, administered through a contract by the Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA). The program reimburses up to half the wages of summer interns working in skilled care centers, assisted living and home care providers, as well as hospitals and clinics.
Pathway Health Names Peter Schuna President and CEO
On April 6, 2016 by Jodi Boyne
Pathway Health, a leading post-acute consulting services, interim management, executive search and education company, announced that Peter B. Schuna has been named President and Chief Executive Officer. Schuna succeeds Debby L. Schuna, the company's founder who recently died from natural causes.
Now Available: New Dementia Training Video & Discussion Guide
On April 6, 2016 by Heidi Simpson
LeadingAge has just released a new film, Dining with Friends, to describe an innovative person-centered dining approach designed for people with Alzheimer’s.
Ebenezer Tower Apartments Hosts Rep. Clark and Councilmember Warsame
On March 30, 2016 by Danielle Salisbury
Ebenezer Tower Apartments invited Representative Karen Clark and Minneapolis City Councilmember Abdi Warsame to their community last week to meet with residents, staff and guests and see the newly- renovated building.
Standard Statewide GRH Contract Language Coming Soon
On March 30, 2016 by Bobbie Guidry
The promised standard statewide Group Residential Housing (GRH) Contract Language is currently under review at the Minnesota Department of Human Services with a planned implementation date for July 2016.
Older Americans Act Reauthorization Advances in Congress
On March 30, 2016 by Jodi Boyne
A bill to strengthen support services of seniors and their caregivers could soon be signed into law. The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2016 last week, and the Senate is expected to approve the amended bill.
St. Benedict’s Senior Community Residents Celebrate Winter in Style
On March 30, 2016 by Jodi Boyne
Winter Celebration festivities filled the care center at St. Benedict’s Senior Community in February as a winter wonderland was perfectly staged for residents, patients, guests and employees.
Member Feedback Needed on Assisted Living Home Care Nurse Leader Meetings
On March 30, 2016 by Elizabeth Sether, RN, MHA, LNHA
LeadingAge Minnesota is conducting a survey to evaluate the meeting effectiveness of the regional meetings for assisted living home care nurse leaders. We would appreciate every home care nurse leader take a few minutes to complete the brief survey that was sent to the attention of the assisted living manager yesterday. Survey responses are due April 11.
New Mini-Certificate Program Meets State Requirements for Dementia Care Training
On March 30, 2016 by Heidi Simpson
LeadingAge Minnesota’s highly acclaimed Dementia Care Certificate Program features a new element this year. Participants can earn a mini-certificate by completing four sessions to meet the new state mandated dementia care training requirements for home care agency and assisted living/housing with services staff.
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