All News
Hot Topic: Health Care Workers Travel & Quarantine
On March 3, 2021 by Kari Everson
Heath care workers (HCW) and travel is a topic that continues to elicit questions because of the complexity and multivariate nature of the guidance. Current guidance from the Minnesota Department of Health recommends abstaining from travel due to the pandemic. If HCWs decide to travel, you should consider the following information as you create organizational protocols that best address your expectations regarding travel to keep staff and residents safe.
At the Capitol: Vaccine Rollout Remains Top Priority for Lawmakers
On March 3, 2021 by Matt Steele
As March begins, state health officials reported a new vaccine milestone. As of March 2, 53% of Minnesota seniors received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Building off this announcement, Governor Tim Walz stated that his administration will not move on from the current vaccine distribution phase until 70% of Minnesotan’s ages 65 and over have been fully vaccinated. With the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine arriving in Minnesota this week, Walz believes the state can reach the 70% senior benchmark by April. Here is what you need to know about what’s happening at the Capitol:
Good Governance: Emerge Strong and Strategically Focused from COVID
On February 24, 2021 by Barbara Landeen
To survive and thrive in a post-COVID reality, nonprofit providers will need to maintain their missions of service while operating and performing like a business. Our two-part governance workshop, Next Gen Governance for a Next Gen World is for executive and board teams will explore governance practices that will help your organizations emerge strongly through the pandemic and beyond.
Safe Care for Seniors 3-part Virtual Workshop
On February 24, 2021 by Julie Apold
Attend a 3-part virtual workshop A Practical Guide to Providing Safe Care for Seniors starting April 6. This series is for organizations wanting to learn about this initiative and staff in participating organizations who have not yet completed training.
Legacy Licensed Assisted Living Director Application Process Featured in Coaching Room March 18
On February 24, 2021 by Bobbie Guidry
Join us on March 18 at 10 a.m. for an open discussion on the application process for licensing as an Assisted Living Director (LALD). The session will provide an overview of the application process for individuals who qualify as legacy directors. There will be ample time for individual questions.
Cassia joins Allina Health and Presbyterian Homes in ownership of Genevive
On February 24, 2021 by Libbie Chapuran
Cassia, a LeadingAge Minnesota member organization, has acquired a minority ownership share in Genevive, complementing the existing ownership of Allina Health and Presbyterian Homes & Services (PHS). Genevive is a geriatric medical practice and care management organization providing comprehensive care for over 7,000 older adults throughout the Twin Cities and greater Minnesota.
HCBS Educational Scholarship Now Open
On February 24, 2021 by Jenna Kellerman
The Minnesota Department of Health, Office of Rural Health and Primary Care, is soliciting grant proposals from providers of adult day care, home care, and housing with services to provide educational scholarships for their employees. You can find the HCBS Scholarship Program details, application, and forms on the MDH website.
Safe Care for Seniors: Will You Be Recognized at this Year’s Institute?
On February 24, 2021 by Julie Apold
Last year, we recognized the first fifty-one LeadingAge Minnesota members who had been named to the Safe Care for Seniors Action Honor Roll. This year we are on track to recognize several additional organizations that have demonstrated key actions within each of the 5 Safe Care Action Steps. We will also be recognizing our first group of members who have achieved the highest level of Safe Care – the Excellence Level.
DHS Announces Cycling Without Age Grant Program
On February 24, 2021 by Lori Meyer
The Minnesota Department of Human Services, through the Nursing Facility Rates and Policy (NFRP) Division and the State Civil Monetary Penalties (CMP) Initiative, is seeking proposals from qualified Minnesota Medicaid-Certified Nursing Facilities that are interested in implementing a Cycling Without Age (CWA) Program.
National Partner LeadingAge Starts Work Groups for Affordable Housing Members
On February 24, 2021 by Bobbie Guidry
Our partners at LeadingAge Housing Advisory Group now have five Workgroups to share information among members, to improve programs, and to inform LeadingAge advocacy to HUD and to Congress.
HUD opens 2021 Service Coordinator Renewals
On February 24, 2021 by Bobbie Guidry
On February 19, HUD opened the application period for Calendar Year 2021 (CY21) Service Coordinator program renewals in GrantSolutions. Under a compressed timeline for the delayed grant renewals, applications are due by March 22, with disbursements projected for June or July.
LeadingAge Obtains CMS Clarification on Emergency Preparedness Exercises
On February 24, 2021 by Jonathan Lips
Under CMS emergency preparedness regulations, nursing facilities are required to conduct two emergency preparedness testing exercises annually – with exercises alternating between full-scale functional exercises and exercises of choice (mock drill, table-top exercise, workshop).
MDH to Host A Conversation about Customized Living and Assisted Living Licensure
On February 24, 2021 by Bobbie Guidry
The Minnesota Department of Health will host a presentation regarding assisted living licensure and customized living (waiver services) on Thursday, March 4, from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
BELTSS Extends CEU Period for 2021, Awards Clock Hours for COVID-related Education
On February 24, 2021 by Bobbie Guidry
In a message sent to current licensees last week, the Board of Executives for Long-Term Services and Supports (BELTSS) communicated several important messages to currently licensed Nursing Home Administrators.
Sens. Housley and Eken, Key Aging Committee Leaders, Slated for Week at the Capitol Discussion
On February 24, 2021 by Matt Steele
Assistant Majority Leader Karin Housley (R – St. Mary’s Point), Chair of the Minnesota Senate Aging and Long-Term Care Policy Committee, and Sen. Kent Eken (DFL – Twin Valley), the committee’s ranking minority member, will join LeadingAge Minnesota members for a bipartisan discussion about long-term care issues at this year’s LeadingAge Minnesota Week at the Capitol.
Resilience Tip: Embracing “Good Enough”
On February 24, 2021 by LeadingAge
Featuring Dr. Alyson VanAhn from Associated Clinic of Psychology
Today we’re focused on the drive to be perfect (or darn close). It’s not inherently bad; in fact, it has propelled many of us to get to our current status in personal and professional arenas. It can, however, take its toll on our well-being to be in pursuit of perfection versus accepting of “good enough.”
COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics Progressing
On February 24, 2021 by Jeff Bostic
According to a Minnesota Department of Health survey reflecting data through last Wednesday, 98% of care centers have completed two vaccination clinics, and almost all assisted living settings had completed a first clinic. Additionally, 12% of assisted living had conducted a second clinic, a number which will rise rapidly in the next couple of weeks.
Rural COVID-19 grants Available through LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation
On February 24, 2021 by Terri Foley
LeadingAge Minnesota members operating in rural Minnesota can now access a second round of COVID-19 related grants through LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation (LAMF).
At the Capitol: Legislature Prepares for February Forecast Release
On February 24, 2021 by Matt Steele
The Minnesota Office of Management and Budget will release the February Forecast, a major indicator of the financial health of the state, this Friday afternoon. Lawmakers and policy experts anticipate an improved economic situation from the December Forecast and are beginning to have conversations on how it will influence the two-year budget-making process already well underway. Here is what you need to know about what’s happening at the Capitol:
DHS Amends Temporary Modifications for Adult Day Services
On February 24, 2021 by Roni Falck
The Department of Human Services is further amending temporary modifications to certain licensing requirements for Adult Day Services to allow more people to receive services and to allow license holders to increase daily shift hours.
Effective Feb. 17, the following licensing requirements are modified for adult day centers:
Register Today: Next Gen Governance for a Next Gen World
On February 17, 2021 by Barbara Landeen
Next Gen Governance for a Next Gen World is a two-part workshop designed for executive and board teams to explore governance practices that help our organizations emerge strongly through the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.
2021 Leadership Academy Applications Open
On February 17, 2021 by Barbara Landeen
Applications for the 2021 Leadership Academy are now open. This immersive leadership development program begins with a June virtual session with plans to resume in-person meetings as soon as it is safe to do so.
Safe Care for Seniors News: New to Safe Care for Seniors? Our 3-part Workshop is for You
On February 17, 2021 by Julie Apold
We are proud to introduce a new Safe Care for Seniors virtual workshop designed for those of you who are new to the program. The 3-part program will begin on Tuesday, April 6 and continue weekly with subsequent sessions on April 13 and 20.
Lifesprk Wins National Top Workplaces Award
On February 17, 2021 by Libbie Chapuran
Lifesprk been named a Top USA Workplace and #1 in healthcare for mid-size companies in the Top Workplaces Industry and Culture Excellence Awards.
Welcome Jim McAlpine as Ecumen’s Senior Vice President - Legal Affairs and Corporate General Counsel
On February 17, 2021 by Libbie Chapuran
Ecumen, a nonprofit provider of housing and services for older adults, has announced that Jim McAlpine has joined its senior management team as senior vice president, legal affairs and corporate general counsel.
RFP for Customized Living Quality Improvement Grant Announced
On February 17, 2021 by Bobbie Guidry
The Aging and Adult Services Division at the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) is seeking proposals from providers to improve the overall quality of customized living services. Qualified responders must have provided customized living services in calendar year 2020 (i.e., between Jan. 1, 2020, and Dec. 31, 2020) to people on the following waivers:
2022 Grants to Support Community Based Services and Dementia Care
On February 17, 2021 by Lori Meyer
Two grant opportunities are available to support community-based services and dementia care: Live Well at Home Grants through the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) and Dementia Grants through the Minnesota Board on Aging.
LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation Receives $475,000 COVID Grant
On February 17, 2021 by Lori Meyer
The LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation (LAMF) has just been awarded $475,000 in funding to provide COVID grants to rural LeadingAge Minnesota members.
NHSN Training Opportunities for Care Centers
On February 17, 2021 by Jonathan Lips
The CDC’s National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) team will offer trainings to review updates to the LTCF COVID-19 Module, Resident Impact & Facility Capacity Pathway, that took effect in late November 2020.
Congress Continues Discussions on COVID-19 Relief
On February 17, 2021 by Kari Thurlow
Congress is now in the process of considering the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package proposed by President Biden. This legislation, being considered through a budget-reconciliation vehicle that only needs simple majorities in both the House and the Senate and may be passed exclusively with Democratic-votes.