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National Prescription Take Back Day
Help older adults and persons with disabilities in your community empty their medicine cabinets of unwanted or expired medications on National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and its national and community partners are giving the public a chance to prevent accidental overdose, abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.
On Saturday, April 27th, 2013 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., DEA and local partners will hold a National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day at sites nationwide. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.
In the four previous Take-Back events, DEA in conjunction with state, local and tribal partners collected more than 2 million pounds (1,018 tons) of prescription medications.
If you are interested in partnering with a local law enforcement agency to provide a venue for your community to dispose of unwanted or unused medications click here. You will also find helpful resources to promote this event, such as the Partnership Toolbox.
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New Edition of the State Medicaid Integration Tracker Published
NASUAD has published the March Edition of the the State Medicaid Integration Tracker, a report which summarizes state actions in managed care for people who receive Medicaid-funded Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS), as well state initiatives relating to services for people who are dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare. This report is updated each month.
The State Medicaid Integration Tracker focuses primarily on state actions in managed care for people who receive Medicaid-funded LTSS and on state initiatives relating to services and costs of services for people who are dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare.
Because so many states have informed the federal Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation that they intend to participate in the State Demonstrations to Integrate Care for Dual Eligible Individuals, the Tracker pays close attention to the status of state participation in this demonstration. The Tracker also includes updates on states participating in the Balancing Incentive Program (BIP), states developing or implementing Medicaid State Plan amendments under 1915(i), and states pursuing the Communities First Choice Option under 1915(k).
A PDF of the Tracker can be found on the NASUAD website here.
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National HCBS Conference: Call for Sessions Deadline Extended!
The National Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Conference is the premier event showcasing promising practices in long-term services and supports. It has earned a stellar reputation for bringing together our nation's leaders in the field while offering exceptional learning and networking opportunities for professionals who administer home and community based services throughout the country.
NASUAD, together with the District of Columbia Office on Aging, Maryland Department of Aging, Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services, and an outstanding national committee, has opened the CALL FOR SESSIONS for this year's National HCBS Conference, September 9-12, 2013, in Arlington, VA. Those working on home and community-based programming for people of any age or ability are invited to submit their session's description now through April 12th.
Click here to submit your presentation for consideration.
Click here to learn more about the conference.
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Volunteers Matter: Excellence in Volunteer Services Award
NASUAD, with funding from the Volunteer Collaborative, is proud to announce the 2013 Volunteers Matter: Excellence in Volunteer Services Awards. This initiative is designed to highlight successful state-run programs that are leading the way in the creative use of volunteers in the long-term services and supports network. The award is open to programs that help older adults and persons with disabilities in the long-term services and supports system. Programs must be statewide in scope and operation. Winning programs will demonstrate innovations in one or more of the following:
- Promoting intergenerational interaction
- Incorporating Baby Boomers as volunteers
- Including Veterans as volunteers or recipients
- Creative strategies for recruitment and retention of volunteers of varying backgrounds, ages and abilities
Three awards will be given at the 2013 HCBS Conference. Winners will receive:
- A cash prize of $1,000 to be used to strengthen the winning volunteer program
- An all-expenses paid trip to the 2013 HCBS conference, September 9-12 in Washington, D.C. where each winner will be recognized and highlight their program's success with the other winners in a joint workshop
- A NASUAD press release highlighting the program along with recognition on the NASUAD website
Submissions will be accepted from January 31st through May 30th, 2013. Winners will be notified in June, 2013 to prepare for formal announcement at the 2013 HCBS conference.
Click here for descriptions from the 2012 winning programs.
Click here for a copy of the invitation to submit.
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Administration for Community Living
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Study Shows People Who Use Wheelchairs Can't Access 1:5 Specialty Doctors
recently published a study which found that 22% of 256 medical specialists said they were not able to serve a female mystery shopper who uses a wheelchair. The doctors represented several, common medical specialties in four U.S. cities. Nine of the doctors said the patient would be unable to get into the building and another 47 said they could not assist her onto an exam table.
Click here to read the blog post.
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Older Americans Month 50th Year
This May is Older Americans Month's 50th year, and to help communities get ready for the celebration the Administration for Community Living has updated its website for 2013. The site contains resources and ways to help spread the word about Older Americans Month and plan an event in your community. On the website, you will find information on:
- "Unleash the Power" Challenge: A contest in which organizations can nominate individuals who have used their talents and expertise to make a positive impact in their communities.
- Activity Ideas: Get inspirations and ideas on how you can celebrate Older Americans Month locally by unleashing the power of age through community and creativity.
- Social Media Gallery: Get content you can use to promote Older Americans Month to your social media networks.
- Download Center: Access a collection of images for your organization's website, and text for newsletters.
Click here for more information.
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Unleash the Power of Age in Your Community Challenge
The Administration for Community Living recently announced the "Unleash the Power in Your Community Challenge." This challenge, in celebration of Older Americans Month 2013, invites organizations to recognize older Americans by nominating people 60 or older who are putting their talents and expertise toward inspirational achievements in their communities and beyond.
Nominees can be volunteers or paid professionals whose contributions are improving society as a whole. Examples of eligible activities include civic engagement, creative arts, and technology and innovation.
After an initial screening process nominations will be evaluated by a panel of judges who will then select the top 10 entries. These finalists will be posted on Challenge.gov, and the public will be invited to vote to select the most inspirational individuals.
Click here to nominate and for more information.
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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Medicare Dashboard Advances ACA Goals for Chronic Conditions
Administrator Tavenner of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced a new Medicare Chronic Conditions Dashboard that furthers the Affordable Care Act's goals for health promotion and the prevention and management of multiple chronic conditions. The dashboard offers an easy-to-use tool to access current data on where multiple chronic conditions occur, which services they require, and how much Medicare spends helping beneficiaries with multiple chronic conditions. The dashboard is part of the Initiative on Multiple Chronic Conditions, developed to serve as a national roadmap for HHS as well as stakeholders to use to coordinate and improve the health of beneficiaries with multiple chronic conditions.
Click here to access the Chronic Conditions Dashboard.
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Department of Health and Human Services
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HHS Seeking Nominations for Alzheimer's Advisory Council
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) is soliciting nominations for a new, non-federal member of the Advisory Council on Alzheimer's Research, Care, and Services to fill the position of representative of a voluntary health association as described in Public Law 111-375 (42 U.S.C. 11225).
The Advisory Council consists of at least 22 members and meets quarterly to discuss the efficacy of government programs targeting the needs of individuals and caregivers coping with the consequences of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD). This Advisory Council provided comments on the National Plan for ADRD which was developed by HHS. On an annual basis, the Advisory Council shall evaluate the implementation of the recommendations through an updated National Plan.
Nominations must be submitted on April 12, 2013 before close of business to Helen Lamont, PhD at Helen.Lamont@hhs.gov.
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Alliance for Information and Referral (AIRS)
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AIRS Conference Registration Open
The Alliance of Information and Referral Systems (AIRS) Conference will be held June 2-5, in Portland, Oregon. In partnership with the Administration for Community Living (ACL) and the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a), NASUAD's I&R/A Support Center is coordinating the Aging and Disability Track for the AIRS Conference. Join us for the Aging and Disability Symposium including a pre-conference I&R/A Summit for Aging and Disability Professionals, and a full complement of workshops, panel discussions and lively conversation throughout the week.
The Aging and Disability Pre-Conference Summit on Sunday June 2, 9a-3p, will be different from pre-conference gatherings in past years and will include:
- A networking breakfast
- A discussion focused on state-to-state interaction and technical assistance where participants will share their experiences and ask questions about current trends, new initiatives and upcoming national events in I&R/A service delivery.
- The kick-off of the National I&R/A Support Center's Train-the-Trainer Initiative for the National coordination of CIRS-A (Certification for I&R Specialists in Aging) and Aging/Disability-related CRS (Certification for Resource Specialists) training.
There is no charge to attend this pre-conference event, though pre-registration is requested. Please contact Support Center coordinator, Sara Tribe at 202-898-2578 x305 or stribe@nasuad.org, to register, and to suggest topics that you would like to discuss at the Aging and Disability I&R/A Pre-Conference Summit.
Register for the AIRS Conference.
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Publication Alert: Studies Show States Containing Costs with HCBS
The AARP Public Policy Institute has published a report that reviews thirty-eight state evaluations of publicly funded home and community based services (HCBS) programs. States have made progress in providing greater access to HCBS services for people with low incomes, and are conducting studies to ensure that these services are cost effective. This report summarizes a collection of the relevant state studies.
Click here to access the report.
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American Society on Aging
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Webinar: Hiring a Caregiver
The American Society on Aging will be hosting a webinar on April 4 at 1:00 PM EDT on hiring a private caregiver, including what the right questions are to ask during the interview process. Participants will also learn the four most important points families should consider when hiring a caregiver, and the eight points of compatibility for a caregiver to ensure a safe and happy environment. This webinar includes free CEUs.
Click here to register.
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Webinar: Alzheimer's Care
The American Society on Aging will be hosting a webinar on April 10 or 17 at 1:00 PM EDT on managing family care for Alzheimer's patients. Participants will learn effective ways to cope with cognitive challenges, as well as the difference between mild cognitive impairment and serious cognitive problems. The potential causes will also be discussed. This webinar includes free CEUs.
Click here to register.
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The National Council on Independent Living
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Registration Open for the 2013 Annual Conference
Registration is now open for the National Council on Independent Living's 2013 Annual Conference on Independent Living. This year's theme is regeneration, and the week-long conference will take place from July 24-27 at the Grand Hyatt in Washington, DC. This conference is an opportunity for new leadership, new ideas, and fresh growth. This week-long experience will offer dozens of workshops and events designed to provide opportunity to gain new perspective from young advocates and learn from the success of veteran leaders.
All registrations received and paid before April 26, 2013 are eligible for the Early Bird registration rates.
Click here to register online or here for the printable form.
Click here for the annual conference guide.
Click here for more information.
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National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care
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Two Focus Groups for Consumers
The Consumer Voice is hosting two focus groups - one for nursing home residents and one for home care consumers - to get consumers' input and thoughts on issues related to their care and services. The Home Care Consumer Focus Group is ONLY open to individuals who receive long-term services and supports in their home. The Nursing Home Resident Focus Group is ONLY open to nursing home residents. Participants will have the opportunity to respond and react to ideas and suggestions for changes in long-term care, as well as share feedback about their care experiences. The feedback received will then be used to guide the Consumer Voice in their policy work.
The Home Care Consumer Focus Group will meet by telephone on a toll-free conference line on Monday, April 1st, 2013 from 2:00-3:30pm ET. Click here to register.
The Nursing Home Resident Focus Group will meet by telephone on a toll-free conference line on Monday, April 8th, 2013 from 2:00-3:30 pm ET. Click here to register.
For more information about the focus groups, click here for the Consumer Voice's website.
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National Council on Aging
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Webinar: Improving Care Transitions: Engaging Older Patients on the Issue of Preventing Re-Hospitalization
The National Council on Aging will be hosting a webinar onApril 4 from 1:30-2:30 PM EST on best practices and resources in avoiding re-hospitalization for older patients. Medicare has stopped paying hospitals for additional costs that result when preventable conditions result in re-hospitalization. The webinar will examine the role that senior care and aging professionals can play in providing support services, as well as the importance of educating and empowering older patients and caregivers as part of the efforts to reduce re-hospitalization.
Click here to register.
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The American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
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2013 Disability Policy Seminar
The American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, along with five other organizations will be hosting a Disability Policy Seminar from April 15-17 in Washington, D.C. During this seminar, advocates will learn about and discuss the most recent topics in intellectual and developmental disability public policy. There will be two days of informative in-depth sessions from disability policy experts, as well as opportunities to network with others from your state. The third day of the seminar will include breakfast on Capitol Hill before the opportunity to personally meet with elected representatives and their staffs. This seminar is an opportunity to advance the grassroots movement for people with I/DD and make sure elected officials know what's important to the disability community.
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Center on Disability at the Public Health Institute
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Persons with Disabilities Asked to Share Their Disaster Experience
The Center on Disability at the Public Health Institute along with the Center for Personal Assistance Services, University of California at San Francisco is collecting emergency and
disaster experience stories from individuals with disabilities who use personal assistance services (PAS). This is an opportunity to share what you have learned in surviving an emergency.
To participate, you must:
- Use one or more personal assistant (also known as an attendant or caregiver). This can be someone who you pay for, or someone who volunteers to assist you, including family members or friends.
- Have in the last 5 years (since 2008), lived through a large emergency such as, but not limited to, a storm, tornado, hurricane, earthquake, fire, flood, heat or cold wave, power outage, or chemical spill. In this case, a large emergency means an incident that effects a large physical area, affects many people and overwhelms local resources which leads to the state and possibly FEMA responding.
- Be interested in helping others understand and learn from your emergency experience.
- Be willing to share your written or recorded story on the Center for Personal Assistance Services website.
Click here to submit your story.
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Family Caregiver Alliance
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Webinar: Creating Peer-to-Peer Support Groups for Caregivers
Family Caregiver Alliance will be hosting a webinar on April 10, from 12:00-1:00 PM PDT on learning what it takes to create and sustain your own space for mutual support. This webinar, Empowering Families to Lead Peer-to-Peer Support Groups, will feature national speaker, author and radio show host, Kari Berit. Kari Berit spent this past year working with caregivers to help them start groups in their community, including at a local senior living community, college, church, corporation, in a local university, and at the workplace of a caregiver. She will be sharing what worked and what didn't work.
Click here to register.
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Infographic: Medicaid Expansion Under the Affordable Care Act
The Kaiser Family Foundation has published this month's Visualizing Health Policy infographic, which considers how expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act will impact low-income and uninsured people, as well as how these groups are affected in states who opted not to expand the program.
Click here for the infographic.
Click here for a complete list of Visualizing Health Policy infographics.
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High Rise Evacuation for People with Disabilities
This webinar is the next session in the Pacific ADA Center's free "Emergency Management and Preparedness - Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities Webinar Series."
When emergencies strike and people in high rise structures are involved, organized evacuation of the building is necessary. People with disabilities are often thought to be hindrances to this organized evacuation or, worse, are afterthoughts in the evacuation process - putting them at greater risk.
This session will include representatives from building code, evacuation chair development and fire agencies to discuss how planning, building codes and evacuation chair and other technologies are being used to improve the evacuation of people with disabilities from high rise buildings.
Date: Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Time: 2:00 p.m. EST
Click here to register.
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RWJF Roadmaps to Health Prize
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Roadmaps to Health Prize is awarded annually to honor outstanding community efforts and partnerships that are helping people live healthier lives. The prize honors the efforts and accomplishments of U.S. communities working at the forefront of health improvement.
Up to six winning communities will each receive a $25,000 cash prize and have their success stories celebrated and shared broadly with the goal of raising awareness and inspiring locally-driven change across the country.
The application deadline is May 23, 2013.
For more information on the RWJF Roadmaps to Health Prize, please contact Kirstin Siemering, Manager, RWJF Roadmaps to HealthPrize at RoadmapsPrize@match.wisc.edu
An informational webinar will be held on Tuesday, April 2, 2013 from 1:00-2:00 p.m. EST to discuss RWJF Roadmaps to Health Prize. Click here to register for the webinar.
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Grant Title: National Resource Center for LGBT Aging
Agency Issuing Grant: Administration for Community Living
Eligible Applicants: Unrestricted
Close Date: April 29, 2013
Funding Opportunity Number: HHS-2013-ACL-AOA-LG-0046
CDFA Number: 93.048
Grant Amount: $295,540 for 1 award
Description: This opportunity is to establish and provide ongoing technical assistance and support and build upon past advancements and innovations in serving this older LGBT individuals through new, efficient and sustainable approaches for ensuring high quality and culturally competent service delivery. Applicants to this FOA must demonstrate the capacity to work at the national level to provide training, technical assistance and support to aging network entities (State Units on Aging, Area Agencies on Aging, service providers), LGBT organizations, and older LGBT consumers.
Click here for more info on this funding opportunity.
Applicants must apply for this grant through www.grants.gov.
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Grant Title: National Alzheimer's Call Center
Agency Issuing Grant: Administration for Community Living
Eligible Applicants: Nonprofits
Close Date: April 22, 2013
Funding Opportunity Number: HHS-2013-ACL-AOA-AC-0045
CDFA Number: 93.048
Grant Amount: $985,135 for 1 award
Description: This opportunity is a new cooperative agreement to operate a national information and counseling service for persons with Alzheimer's disease, their family members and caregiver. The National Call Center will be available to people in 56 states and territories, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year to provide expert advice, care consultation, information and referrals nationwide, at the national and local levels, regarding Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). The grantee will maintain a national network of organizations that are effectively linked together and supported by a national office, and have an overarching capability of linking consumers to local entities that are prepared to provide accurate information, referrals to publicly and privately funded services and supports, counseling services, including crisis counseling, and detailed follow through to ensure consumers receive appropriate and high quality responses to their concerns.
Click here for more info on this funding opportunity
Applicants must apply for this grant through www.grants.gov.
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Grant Title: Nationwide Program for National and State Background Checks for Direct Patient Access Employees of Long Term Care Facilities and Providers - 9th Announcement
Agency Issuing Grant: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Eligible Applicants: State governments
Close Date: May 30, 2013
Funding Opportunity Number: CMS-1A1-13-002
CDFA Number: 93.506
Grant Amount: $15,000,000 for 5 awards
Description: This opportunity invites proposals from all States and U.S. territories to be considered for inclusion in this National Background Check Program. Federal matching funds are available to all who meet the requirements described in section 6201 of the Affordable Care Act. CMS has awarded a technical support contract to support the States that are selected to participate in the program.
Click here for more information on this funding opportunity.
Applicants must apply for this grant through www.grants.gov.
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Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
"Look Beyond" is the theme for Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month 2013. Click here to read a blog post from Sharon Lewis, Commissioner at the Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in the Administration on Community Living.
National Nutrition Month
The 2013 theme, "Eat Right, Your Way, Every Day," encourages personalized healthy eating styles* and recognizes that food preferences, lifestyle, cultural and ethnic traditions and health concerns all impact individual food choices. . This year is the 40th anniversary of National Nutrition Month® find resources at the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Women's History Month
This year's theme is "Women Inspiring Innovation Through Imagination: Celebrating Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics"
Click here to read the Presidential Proclamation.
Click here to read a statement from Secretary Sebelius.
Click here to learn more about Women's History Month.
Traumatic Brain Injury Awareness Month
This year U.S. Representatives Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ) and Thomas J. Rooney (R-FL) have announced the reintroduction of the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Act, which is legislation that advances both treatment and prevention of TBI.
Click here and here to learn more about Traumatic Brain Injury.
Click here for more information the TBI Act.
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There are three vacancies within FEMA's Reservist Program: Disability Integration Advisor (ASL Specialty (American Sign Language Interpreter)), Disability Integration Advisors and Disability Integration Advisor Lead position . As a part of FEMA's disaster workforce, Reservists serve the nation by assisting all citizens and first responders during disasters or emergency situations. As a Reservist you will have the opportunity to train, gain experience, and become qualified in a specific disaster role. Being a Reservist allows you to assist in the coordinated response and recovery efforts of impacted citizens, communities, Local, Tribal, and State governments. These are FEMA Qualification System (FQS) incident management positions.
- Lead Disability Integration Advisor AD-0301-00
- Disability Integration Advisor AD-0301-00
- Disability Integration Advisor (ASL Specialty (American Sign Language Interpreter)) AD-0301-00
To view other specific vacancy announcement select the appropriate position on the USAJOBS site. For additional information regarding FEMA's Reservist Program please see the Public Service Announcement link from Deputy Administrator Rich Seriono: Reservist Program Vacancy Announcements.
Application period for positions in the Reservist Program close at 11:59p.m. EDT on Friday, March 29, 2013.
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Additional Job Opportunities
To see more job postings, please visit the NASUAD website.
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