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The Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board, created during the past legislative session, met for the first time last Thursday.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published the nursing home minimum staffing standards proposed rule in the Federal Register on Sept. 6 and proposes standards that include minimum staffing for Registered Nurses (RNs) and nurse aides (NAs). 

American Baptist Homes of the Midwest (ABHM), an Eden Prairie-based not-for-profit provider of senior living and health care, is pleased to announce the appointment of Austin Blilie as the new Chief Operating Officer.

In a Sept. 12 letter to leadership at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), LeadingAge requested “urgent action” on HOTMA implementation.

Employers can sign up now to become an employer partner for the next round of the Next Generation Nursing Assistant or NextGen “barrier-free” training program.

As Minnesota high schoolers head back to school this fall, they have new incentives to work in caring careers.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published the nursing home minimum staffing standards proposed rule in the Federal Register on Sept. 6 and proposes standards that include minimum staffing for registered nurses (RNs) and nurse aides.

DHS has continued to receive questions about the August 1 payments that were sent to all nursing homes. As a result, they have revised the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document to assist providers in understanding the allowable uses of the funds.

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has decided to extend the application deadline for the Nursing Facility Workforce Incentive Grant Program to Friday, Sept. 15. DHS has posted a revised version of the RFP and application form for Workforce Incentive Grants on the Nursing Facility Provider Portal.

Register today for the sixth webinar in our MDS series, Minnesota Medicaid Program to Require Use of the Optional State Assessment, on Sept. 14 from 1 – 2 p.m.

LeadingAge Minnesota’s Nurse Leadership Certificate Program supports new and emerging nurse leaders. Nurse leaders in skilled nursing care centers, assisted living, or home care settings, new to or moving into leadership positions, came together for five months of networking, learning, and support.

The US Department of Labor (DOL) Wage and Hour Division provides notice it will issue a notice of proposed rulemaking to restore and extend overtime protections. In its news release, the DOL stated the proposed federal rule would guarantee overtime pay for most salaried workers earning less than $1,059 per week, about $55,000 per year.

Despite the current workforce reality, the evidence that no single staffing level would guarantee quality care, and our ardent advocacy to negate the most troubling portions of this rule, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has proposed a rule that will impose minimum staffing ratios. We are disappointed our calls to moderate and mitigate the potentially devastating impacts of the rule were not heeded.

Our extensive learning library has on-demand education and training for busy professionals when and where you need it.

The Three Links and St. Francis Health Services Boards of Directors have announced their intent to merge the two organizations. The merger will officially take place on Nov. 1, 2023.

In a final direct rule published Aug. 25, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) issued a final rule to remove unnecessary barriers to the fair, efficient, and expeditious resolution of representation questions.

On Thursday, Sept. 14, employers are invited to learn more about “Follow Your Heart to a Caring Career” – a campaign launched by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) aimed at helping providers attract, hire, and retain the workforce needed to care for the older adults and people with disabilities in Minnesota.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is reporting an increase in COVID-19 cases as of last week. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) COVID-19 status update shows Minnesota’s cases are increasing, especially in people 85 and older.

A nursing home minimum staffing feasibility study commissioned by CMS was leaked this week. The key findings provide important insights into the challenges of proposing and implementing staffing ratios in nursing homes.

Members and staff of the House and Senate Human Services Committees went into the community last week to experience firsthand the care given by long-term care providers, see the impact of their legislative actions, and talk about priorities for 2024. Over a single day, they visited five providers of senior care and disability services.

The Quality Specialist Certificate Program, starting Oct. 24, supports individuals working in aging services who are serving as quality leads within their organizations or are interested in expanding their knowledge of quality, safety, and performance improvement.

Register today for the sixth webinar in our MDS series, Minnesota Medicaid Program to Require Use of the Optional State Assessment, on Sept. 14 from 1 – 2 p.m.

The nomination deadline for the 2024 Stars Among Us Awards is Monday, Sept. 11 - that is less than three short weeks away. Share your stories to recognize these people in your organization for statewide recognition:

LeadingAge Minnesota Solutions is pleased to announce a preferred pharmacy agreement with Omnicare and Merwin.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) broke down how $12 million in new Congressional funding, for which LeadingAge advocated, will increase Section 202 rents as communities with Project Rental Assistance Contracts (PRACs) go through Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) conversion.

Four new resources requested by members are now available in LeadingAge Minnesota’s Resource Library related to cannabis, education requirements, staffing in assisted living, and background checks.

The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) released the minimum-wage rate information that begins on Jan. 1, 2024. Minnesota's minimum wage rates will be adjusted for inflation on Jan. 1, 2024, to $10.85 an hour for large employers and $8.85 an hour for other state minimum wages.

The Quality Specialist Certificate Program, starting Oct. 24, supports individuals working in aging services who are serving as Quality leads within their organizations or are interested in expanding their knowledge of quality, safety, and performance improvement.

LeadingAge Minnesota’s 2023 Assisted Living Conference on Aug. 16-17 provided aging services professionals with training, timely updates, and resources needed to confidently meet state requirements and provide quality care for seniors.

Effective Aug. 1, 2023, two modifications were made to consumer surveys for assisted living, adult day services, and home care.