News Archives
January 2022 Archives
Below is a list of all of the articles published in the selected month, ordered from most recent to least.
Applications Open for 2022 Leadership Academy Dates Announced
On January 27, 2022 by Barbara Landeen
Applications are being accepted for the 2022 Leadership Academy.
Since 2010, LeadingAge Minnesota’s Leadership Academy has mentored and cultivated more than 350 emerging transformational leaders in our field. During their year-long program, Leadership Academy provides an opportunity to explore and practice ideas, tools, principles, and theories that they leverage to strengthen their leadership and foster an organizational culture to lead in normal and not-so-normal times.
Volunteer Opportunities Still Available for the 2022 Institute & Expo
On January 27, 2022 by Heidi Simpson
Please join our volunteer crew as an Institute Session Host.
It takes a lot of behind-the-scenes work to make the Institute run as smoothly as possible.
Live Well at Home Grants Available Through DHS
On January 27, 2022 by Lori Meyer
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) is seeking proposals for the Live Well at Home grant program. The purpose of this initiative is to develop and provide services for older Minnesotans to live and age in the community of their choice by improving the capacity to develop, strengthen, integrate, and maintain culturally competent home- and community-based services for individuals aged 65 and older at risk of long-term nursing home use or spending down into Medical Assistance. Proposals may also include strengthening services for the caregiver support network.
LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation Still Seeking Silent Auction Donations
On January 27, 2022 by Lori Meyer
The LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation’s 2022 Silent Auction is just two weeks away! This annual Institute tradition raises funds to provide higher education scholarships to help our dedicated caregivers and other staff access the education they need to pursue careers in aging services.
Strategies for Managing Stress – Free AHRQ Resource
On January 27, 2022 by Julie Apold
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is offering free, five-minute learning modules designed to address the stresses and challenges frontline staff face during the COVID-19 pandemic.
CMS Expected to Post Weekend Staffing and Turnover Data to Care Compare This Week
On January 27, 2022 by Jonathan Lips
As of Wednesday, Jan. 26, CMS is posting new information to the public-facing Care Compare website for nursing homes.
First, CMS has added data about the level of weekend RN staffing and total nurse staffing (e.g., RN, LPN, and CNA), reported in terms of the average number of RN and total nurse hours worked per resident per day on weekends. As presented, the data compares a specific facility’s weekend staffing to the national average and the Minnesota average.
Updated Provisional Assisted Living License Application Now Available
On January 27, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Health Regulation Division has posted an updated provisional assisted living license application for providers interested in becoming an assisted living facility. The revised form has added instructional information and links to helpful statutory references.
BELTSS Board Assisted Living Director Updates and Concerns
On January 27, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry
The Board of Executives for Long-term Services and Supports (BELTSS) provided updates on the progress of licensing directors at the Jan. meeting held earlier this week. The Board also reviewed the first months of assisted living surveys and discussed potential implications for licensees.
CMS Updates Nursing Home Survey Tools for Staff Vaccination Mandate
On January 27, 2022 by Jonathan Lips
Thursday, Jan. 27, marks Minnesota's Phase 1 compliance deadline for the CMS staff vaccination rule. Surveyors are now reviewing for nursing home compliance with this requirement on all initial certification, standard recertification surveys, and all complaint surveys, regardless of what issue the complaint involves.
OSHA Withdraws Vaccination and Testing Emergency Temporary Standard
On January 27, 2022 by Jonathan Lips
OSHA has officially withdrawn its Vaccination and Testing Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) in light of the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision forbidding OHSA from enforcing it. The standard would have applied to all employers with 100 or more employees and required businesses to implement a vaccine mandate or weekly testing option for all employees.
DHS Postpones Transition to Fingerprint-Based Background Studies for MDH-Licensed Providers
On January 27, 2022 by Jonathan Lips
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has postponed the Wednesday, Feb. 2, transition date for Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) providers to return to fingerprint-based background studies.
2022 Leadership Academy Dates Announced, Applications Open
On January 20, 2022 by Barbara Landeen
The application for the 2022 Leadership Academy is now open!
Leading well through an extended crisis requires having solid skills and team relationships already in place. During their year-long program, Leadership Academy provides an opportunity for its participants to explore and practice ideas, tools, principles and theory that they leverage to strengthen their leadership and foster an organizational culture to lead in normal and not-so-normal times.
Scholarships Available Through LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation
On January 20, 2022 by Lori Meyer
Investing in the professional development of the aging services workforce is more critical now than ever. The LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation is excited to offer educational scholarships to eligible caregivers and other employees of our member organizations for 2022.
Advocacy Underway to Secure Broadband Funding for Older Adults
On January 20, 2022 by Libbie Chapuran
Following billions of dollars in broadband investments approved by Congress in the fall of 2021, federal and state governments have begun making plans to distribute funds and increase connectivity, potentially for affordable housing communities.
Advocating for Workforce Solutions: Engage Your Community
On January 20, 2022 by Matt Steele
The Minnesota Legislature will convene for the 2022 session on Jan. 31, and a strong grassroots network is an essential part of our strategy to drive action. We've created a tool to help you engage members of your community to add voices that can help us share the importance of increasing wages for caregivers and ensuring access to care for seniors.
Change of Information Form available on MDH website for Assisted Living Providers
On January 20, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has made the Change of Information Form available on the Assisted Living web page.
Health Care Worker Return-to-Work FAQs
On January 20, 2022 by Kari Everson
The CDC released revisions to their Interim Guidance for Managing Healthcare Personnel with SARS-CoV-2 Infection or Exposure to SARS-CoV-2 and Strategies to Mitigate Healthcare Personnel (HCW) Staffing Shortages on Dec. 23, 2021, significantly changing the return to work guidance for staff who experience high-risk exposures. Several questions have come up in the past few weeks regarding the complexities of the guidance.
Abbott Extends Use of BinaxNOW Antigen Testing Cards
On January 20, 2022 by Kari Everson
Abbott labs petitioned the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last week to extend the use life of their BinaxNOW antigen testing cards, and the FDA approved the change.
Health & Safety Requirement Updated for 2022 Institute; Still Time to Register
On January 20, 2022 by Heidi Simpson
The 2022 Institute & Expo is less than three weeks away, and we are looking forward to seeing so many of our members again after two years. There is still time to register your organization and staff for this multi-day conference which is in person at RiverCentre in St. Paul Feb. 9-11 and virtually Feb. 22-24. The registration deadline is Monday, Jan. 31.
OSHA Recordkeeping Requirements Still in Place for Healthcare Providers
On January 20, 2022 by Jonathan Lips
As we all know, the U.S. Supreme Court has blocked OSHA from enforcing the OSHA Vaccination and Testing Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) proposed in Nov. 2021. In addition, the June 2021 OSHA Healthcare ETS expired on Dec. 21, 2021, except for all of the non-recordkeeping provisions.
MDH Reinstates Flexibility Concerning Bed Capacity for COVID-Related Needs
On January 20, 2022 by Jonathan Lips
Last week, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) issued a Notice to Minnesota Health Care Providers of Optional COVID-19 Relief with relevance for hospitals and nursing homes.
Minnesota Licensed Assisted Living Directors Can Earn Required CEUs at 2022 Institute
On January 13, 2022 by Heidi Simpson
Licensed Assisted Living Directors (LALDs) are required by the Minnesota Board of Executives for Long-Term Services and Supports (BELTTS) to earn 30 clock hours in the two years before their license renewal.
2022 Institute Offers Sessions to Inform Strategic Planning
On January 13, 2022 by Heidi Simpson
The 2022 Institute & Expo includes a selection of education sessions designed to assist your organization's post-pandemic strategic planning. These sessions include:
Nurse Loan Forgiveness Program – Last Chance to Apply!
On January 13, 2022 by Jenna Kellerman
The Minnesota Health Care Loan Forgiveness program cycle is accepting applications through Monday, Jan. 17, 2022. The Loan Forgiveness program is available for various health care professionals serving in high-need areas, including nurses in nursing homes, assisted living, and home care settings. You can find general program information for long-term care on the MDH website.
HCBS Grant Applications Open Now
On January 13, 2022 by Jenna Kellerman
A request for proposals for the Home and Community Based (HCBS) Scholarship Grant is currently open, with applications due on Jan. 31. This grant is offered through the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), Office of Rural Health and Primary Care. You can find the HCBS Scholarship Grant details, including the RFP, on the MDH website.
Jan. 30 Ends CMP Grant Application to Retain Staff
On January 13, 2022 by Jenna Kellerman
Care centers have access to an engagement, retention, and leadership building platform for free through a grant for Align’s Employee Engagement Solution. The final grant window closes on Jan. 30. Download a webinar to learn more about the application process here.
LeadingAge Seeks Flexibility for Providers Affected by Kronos Ransomware Attack
On January 13, 2022 by Jonathan Lips
This week LeadingAge and the American Health Care Association sent a joint letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recommending accommodations for skilled nursing facilities impacted by a ransomware attack that human resources company Ultimate Kronos Group faced on Dec. 10, 2021.
HUD Service Coordinator Grant Applications Due Feb. 7
On January 13, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry
In late December, HUD opened renewal applications for existing Service Coordinator grants for Calendar Year 2022. Applications are due Feb. 7 and must include HUD's one-year budget form. The agency has applied a 5.9% Cost of Living Adjustment, higher than in previous years and falls in line with this year's Social Security benefits increase.
CMS to Add Weekend Staffing and Staff Turnover Data to Care Compare and Five-Star
On January 13, 2022 by Jonathan Lips
On Jan. 7, CMS posted QSO-22-08-NH stating that it will publish additional nursing home staffing data to the public-facing Care Compare website beginning this month:
Legacy Licensed Assisted Living Directors required to have 7 CEU’s on AL
On January 13, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry
The rules for Licensed Assisted Living Directors (LALD) require licensees licensed through the legacy pathways to complete within the first year of licensure at least seven hours of continuing education in topics related to assisted living settings. On an ongoing basis, a LALD must complete 30 continuing education credits in qualifying areas within two years of the license renewal.