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Registration is open for the 2013 HCBS Conference
Let us tell you about this year's National HCBS Conference
The nation's long-term care system is in the midst of an historic shift from institutional care to individualized home and community services for older adults and people with disabilities. You are invited to attend one of the year's most important national conferences, the National Home and Community Based Services Conference (HCBS).
This conference showcases innovative national, federal, state and local delivery and policy developments vital for assuring Americans of all ages and abilities receive the highest quality community living supports, care, and services possible. Over 1,000 national, federal, state and local leaders, advocates, and champions for children, older adults, and individuals with disabilities from across the nation are expected to attend the conference. At last year's conference we had a strong presence from U.S. Health and Human Services ranging from ACL, CMS, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and more.
Due to the overwhelming success of last year's conference, many groups have decided to host special Pre-conference Intensives at this year's conference. NASUAD is working closely with the Administration for Community Living (ACL) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to develop content for both the Pre-conference Intensives and HCBS conference. The Pre-conference Intensives and HCBS conference are designed to meet specific federal grant requirements.
Registration - Don't miss the early bird rates. Reserve space at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City. The conference offers a variety of opportunities for your organization to get exposure. Review the Sponsorship Opportunities.
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New Report on Challenges and Opportunities within the Information and Referral/Assistance Networks
The National Aging and Disability Information and Referral/Assistance Support Center, administered by NASUAD with funding provided by the Administration on Aging, within the Administration for Community Living recently released the report, Aging and Disability Information and Referral/Assistance Networks: Challenges and Opportunities. This report documents the findings of a 2012 nationwide, survey of 294 I&R/A workers from state agencies on aging and disability; Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs); Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs); Centers for Independent Living (CILs); 2-1-1s; and other non-profit human service organizations. Several themes emerged from the survey data: Theme 1: Aging and disability networks continue to integrate; Theme 2: The use of technology in I&R/A service delivery has been slow to develop; Theme 3: The role of I&R/A organizations is expanding; and Theme 4: There are opportunities for improved coordination and quality service within I&R/A service delivery.
The report stressed that in a time of ongoing fiscal restraint, integrating and expanding service systems, and evolving technologies, the Aging and Disability I&R/A Network must continue to cultivate partnerships and opportunities that support the organizations' ability to provide person-centered access to I&R/A services. The report also represents a baseline for similar surveys in the future, and an opportunity for the Support Center to engage in increased partnership development with the disability community, 2-1-1s and other providers of I&R/A to older adults and people with disabilities.
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Pre-Conference I&R/A Intensives at NASUAD and n4a Conferences
Not able to make it to the AIRS Conference? There are two more opportunities to attend a full-day I&R/A Intensive. CIRS-A Training, CIRS-A Examination, and our new CIRS-A Train-the-Trainer session will be offered at both conferences:
- n4a Conference: Sunday, July 28, 8:30a-5p in Louisville, KY
- HCBS Conference: Monday, September 9, 9:30a-5p in Crystal City, VA just outside of Washington, DC
Description of Pre-Conference I&R/A Intensives:
NASUAD's Aging and Disability Information and Referral/Assistance (I&R/A) Support Center, funded by the Administration for Community Living/ Administration on Aging, and in collaboration with n4a, is hosting two I&R/A Pre-Conference Intensives which will include important information for I&R/A professionals of various experience levels. The agenda includes a session in which representatives from ACL, NASUAD and n4a will discuss Aging and Disability I&R/A from the federal perspective, reviewing program and service delivery changes, current trends, and new initiatives in the national policy landscape. Time will be provided for Q&A, guided discussion on timely I&R/A topics, and networking with other state, local and national I&R/A professionals.
The CIRS-A exam training will provide a concentrated review of the key competencies needed for AIRS certification as an aging I&R/A specialist; and the train-the-trainer session will review the background and training needed to administer a prep course for the CIRS-A exam. I&R/A Professionals intending to take the CIRS-A exam at either conference must meet the eligibility requirements and apply for the exam through AIRS. Click here for more information on the CIRS-A Exam.
Click here for more information on NASUAD's HCBS Conference; Please register for the pre-conference intensive (Mon. 9/9), the CIRS-A Training (Tues. 9/10) or the Train-the-Trainer Session (Wed. 9/11), by emailing Sara Tribe (stribe@nasuad.org).
Click here for more information on n4a's Annual Conference and to register for the Pre-conference intensive and both trainings. All three will be held on Sunday, July 28.
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2013 AIRS Conference Recap
Aging and Disability Symposium (June 2-5)
Thank you to all attendees and presenters for making the 2013 Aging and Disability Symposium a great success. The Aging and Disability Summit on June 2 included energetic discussion among state and local level I&R/A professionals on the following I&R/A-related topics: Outcome measures and quality assurance; Disaster management; AIRS Certification and training protocols; Social networking; and the Expansion of I&R/A Responsibilities over time. Throughout the Summit, attendees shared insight with one another and with the Support Center staff on what is happening in their state and organization, as well as helped finalize the Support Center's CIRS-A Train-the-Trainer materials. Train-the-Trainer materials will be made available to the I&R/A Network as soon as the suggested updates are complete.
Click here to access presentations from the Aging and Disability Track workshop sessions delivered June 3-5.
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Administration for Community Living |
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8th Annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day was launched on June 15, 2006 by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the United Nations World Health Organization. On March 9, 2012 the UN General Assembly resolution 66/127 established June 15th as a UN International Day.
On June 14, 2012, the Department of Health and Human Services, in partnership with the Department of Justice and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, hosted a daylong symposium at the White House to commemorate World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Video from this exciting day can be viewed on the 2012 World Elder Abuse Awareness Day page.
This year, the Administration for Community Living has joined with Human Resources and Skill Development Canada, the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, and other international partners to observe World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. On Friday, June 14, a symposium will be held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City.
The first session, from 1:15 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. ET, will be videotaped and archived by the United Nations for future viewing. Kathy Greenlee, Administrator of the Administration for Community Living and Assistant Secretary, Administration on Aging, and representatives from the UN, Canada, and other governments will give presentations on the government and United Nations perspectives on preventing elder abuse. The second session will begin at 3:00 p.m. and conclude at 4:30 p.m. ET. Speakers will include representatives from AARP, HelpAge International, and the UN NGO Committee . |
What Are You Planning to Commemorate 8th Annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Day?
On World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, individuals and organizations from across the world are urged to raise awareness of the various types of abuse to which older individuals are subjected. This year, take a stand in the fight against elder abuse and take a stand for dignity and respect of our elders. ACL provides information, tools, and resources to support partners in their efforts to raise public awareness about elder abuse and shed light on the importance of preventing, identifying, and responding to this serious, often hidden problem.
Check out the YEAP toolkit and WEAAD logos for resources when planning your activities.
The Administration on Aging's National Center on Elder Abuse also has an interactive map showing activities throughout the U.S. Share your event and see what others are planning.
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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CMS Releases Information Bulletin on Payment of Medicare Cost Sharing for Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries
This Information Bulletin, released by CMS on June 7, 2013, provides information for state Medicaid agencies and other interested parties regarding the treatment of claims for Medicare cost sharing for Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries (QMBs). The Bulletin also reminds states of the statutory requirement to process Medicare cost-sharing claims for QMBs from Medicare-certified providers, and to be able to document proper processing of such claims. This Informational Bulletin is provided as a companion to communications on this topic to Medicare providers in the form of a Medicare Learning Network Matters article and a CMCS Informational Bulletin published in 2012.
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Congressional Budget Office |
CBO Releases New Report on Dual-Eligible Beneficiaries of Medicare and Medicaid
Dual-Eligible Beneficiaries of Medicare and Medicaid: Characteristics, Health Care Spending, and Evolving Policies examines the characteristics and costs of dual-eligible beneficiaries, focusing on 2009, the most recent year for which comprehensive data were available when CBO began this analysis. The report also examines the different payment systems that Medicare and Medicaid use to fund care for dual-eligible beneficiaries and recent efforts at the federal and state levels to integrate those payment systems and to coordinate the care that such beneficiaries receive from the two programs.
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Long-Term Care Commission Elects Officers, Sets First Meeting for June 27
The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (ATRA), passed at the end of December 2012 to temporarily delay the sequester by revising tax policy and cutting spending, also repealed the Affordable Care Act's (ACA) Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) program, leaving in its place a newly-established Commission on Long-Term Care.
This 15-member Commission is charged with developing a plan to establish, implement, and finance a comprehensive system of long-term services and supports (LTSS), in part by examining the intersection of LTSS and Medicare, Medicaid, and private long-term care insurance, as well as issues regarding the LTSS workforce. President Obama, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Speaker John Boehner, and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi were each given three appointments to the Commission.
This week, the Commission made its first significant step forward by electing officers and selecting June 27 as the date for its first meeting. Bruce Chernof, President and CEO of the SCAN Foundation will serve as Chairman, and Mark Warshawsky, director of retirement research at the consulting firm Towers Watson, will serve as Vice Chairman.
The other members of the panel include Henry Claypool, Executive Vice President of the American Association of People with Disabilities and former Principal Deputy Administrator of the Administration for Community Living; Dr. Julian Harris, Director of the Massachusetts Office of Medicaid; Carol Raphael, Vice Chair for the AARP Board of Directors; Georgetown professor Judy Feder; SEIU United Long Term Care Workers' Union President Laphonza Butler; Dr. Javaid Anwar of Nevada; Judith Stein, founder and Executive Director of the Center for Medicare Advocacy; George Vradenburg, President of the Vradenburg Foundation and founder of USAgainstAlzheimer's; Judy Brachman of Bexly, long-time active member of Jewish Federations of North America's Board and a former NASUA President; Stephen Guillard, Chairman of the Alliance for Quality Nursing Home Care; Grace-Marie Turner, President of the Galen Institute; and Neil Pruitt Jr., Chairman of the American Health Care Association's Board of Governors. Bruce D. Greenstein, Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, was on the panel but resigned last month. His slot will be taken by Christopher Jacobs, a senior policy analyst at the Heritage Foundation.
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Aging Network's Volunteer Collaborative |
PowerUP! Training: Build Your Capacity with Volunteer Teams
The Aging Network's Volunteer Collaborative invites you to participate in their PowerUP! Training at the n4a Annual Conference. The PowerUP! Training helps Aging Network organizations learn how to engage with older adult volunteers to expand their organization's reach and better serve older adults using self-directed teams.
When:
- Pre-workshop Webinar: Thursday, July 18: 2:00 p.m. EST
- Training Workshop (at n4a Annual Conference in Louisville, KY): Sunday, July 28: Registration and Breakfast, 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m., Training: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
- Post-workshop Webinar: Date to be determined based on participants' availability
Where: Louisville Marriott Downtown - Louisville, KY
Click here to learn more.
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American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) |
AAPD and USBLN Join To Form Disability Equality Index (SM) Advisory Committee
The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and the US Business Leadership Network® (USBLN®) have jointly announced the formation of the Disability Equality Index(SM) Advisory Committee, a diverse group of thought leaders who have assembled to share with AAPD and the USBLN® their knowledge, expertise, and vision to enhance disability inclusion policies and practices in the workplace. The Disability Equality Index(SM) is under development and will be a transparent national disability inclusion benchmark tool that will offer major employers an opportunity to receive an objective score on their disability inclusion policies and practices.
Read the news release
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Family Caregiver Alliance National Center on Caregiving |
FCA Calls For Award Application
Nonprofit organizations, government agencies and universities are invited to apply for the sixth annual Rosalinde Gilbert Innovations in Alzheimer's Disease Caregiving Legacy Award. The application is available on the Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA) website.
Through a grant to FCA's National Center on Caregiving from The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation, three awards of $20,000 each will be given to organizations to recognize unique programs that address the needs of Alzheimer's caregivers. One award will be granted in each of three categories:
- Creative Expression
- Diverse/Multicultural Communities
- Policy and Advocacy
Family Caregiver Alliance oversees this national awards program. Review the award details or complete the online application.
The deadline for applications is August 16, 2013. Winners will be announced in late November 2013.
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National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) |
n4a Holds Annual Conference & Tradeshow in July
The National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) will hold 38th Annual Conference & Tradeshow (July 27-31, 2013) in Louisville, KY. The conference and tradeshow will showcase innovative policies, programs and services that assist older adults, persons with disabilities and their caregivers lead independent and productive lives.
Register for the conference. Pre-Registration closes on July 18, 2013. Onsite registration will be available.
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National Association of State Budget Officers (NASBO) |
NASBO Releases Spring 2013 Fiscal Survey of States Report
On June 13, 2013, the National Association of State Budget Officers released Spring 2013 Fiscal Survey of States Report. With data gathered from all 50 state budget offices and published jointly with the National Governors Association, this bi-annual report provides narrative analysis of the fiscal condition of the States and data summaries of state general fund revenues, expenditures, and balances. The spring edition details governors' proposed budgets, and the fall edition details enacted budgets.
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National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) |
NCIL Holds 2013 Annual Conference on Independent Living
The National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) will hold 2013 Annual Conference on Independent Living (July 24-27, 2013) in Washington, DC. The theme of the entire event will be regeneration, from the perspectives of all of the generations, communities, populations, and people that make the Independent Living Movement vibrant and powerful.
Click here to register for the conference.
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National Senior Citizens Law Center (NSCLC) |
Summary of Managed LTSS Guidance Shared with Advocates
Based on the federal government's recently-released, long-awaited guidance on managed long term services and supports (MLTSS), NSCLC prepared a summary of the guidance that sets forth 10 elements that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) believes should be incorporated into managed long term services and supports (MLTSS) programs. The guidance will be vitally important for any consumer advocacy regarding managed MLTSS. The summary may be of most interest and use to advocates working with states to design new MLTSS programs.
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Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) |
RWJF Releases Report on Bundled Payments
A new paper released by RWJF, Bundled Payments: Four Steps to Consider, lays out the challenges and offers lessons learned from efforts to implement bundled payments in two states: Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Bundled payments assign a fixed payment to cover a set of services-such as a surgery or a patient's diabetes care-over a defined time period. Both states are implementing this promising strategy with the hopes of lowering costs while raising the quality of care.
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June 14-20 is National Men's Health Week
Visit Men's Health Network and Men's Health Month for more information.
June 15, 2013 is 8th Annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
More Information on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.
June 22, 2013 is 14th Anniversary of Olmstead Decision
Click here for more information on Olmstead Decision.
June is PTSD Awareness Month and June 27 is PTSD Awareness Day
Click here for more infromation on PTSD.
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Measuring the Value of Prevention within the SMP Program
Grant Title: Measuring the Value of Prevention within the SMP Program
Agency Issuing Grant: Administration for Community Living
Eligible Applicants: Unrestricted
Close Date: July 8, 2013
Funding Opportunity Number: HHS-2013-ACL-AOA-SH0-0059
CDFA Number: 93.048
Grant Amount: $200,000 for 1 cooperative agreement
Description: This opportunity will describe how to best conduct research on prevention education, to determine how to best measure and quantify the effects of these efforts. This research may include, but is not limited to, identification of methodologies for measuring cost savings or avoidance associated with SMP's fraud prevention efforts. Specifically, ACL is interested in reviewing and supporting applications that will describe how the applicant will: Conduct a literature review of methods to quantify the effects of community education on prevention to identify an appropriate methodology for measuring these efforts in general and within the SMP context; Determine how to best measure and estimate the effects of community education on health care fraud prevention according to the identified methodology; and Develop and implement, in conjunction with selected volunteer SMP project grantees, a pilot study to demonstrate the above developed measures and tools using the SMP program and the program's Medicare fraud prevention efforts.
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Creating and Sustaining Dementia-Capable Service Systems for People with Dementia and their Family Caregivers
Grant Title: Creating and Sustaining Dementia-Capable Service Systems for People with Dementia and their Family Caregivers
Agency Issuing Grant: Administration for Community Living
Eligible Applicants: State governments
Close Date: July 17, 2013
Funding Opportunity Number: HHS-2013-ACL-AOA-DS-0055
CDFA Number: 93.051
Grant Amount: $3,039,238 for 6 awards
Description: This cooperative agreement is designed to ensure that people with dementia and their family caregivers have access to a sustainable home and community-based services (HCBS) system that is dementia capable. Grantees must specify a lead state agency for dementia capability and have working relationships with their state Medicaid agencies that enable creating and sustaining a dementia-capable HCBS system that meets two key objectives: create and sustain a dementia-capable HCBS system that includes a Single Entry Point/No Wrong Door (SEP/NWD) access for people with dementia and their family caregivers; ensure access to a comprehensive, sustainable set of quality HCBS that are dementia capable and provide innovative services to the population with dementia and their family caregivers. Services must be evidence-based or evidence-informed to the extent possible.
More Information on this funding opportunity.
Applicants must apply through www.grants.gov.
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Additional Job Opportunities
To see more job postings, please visit NASUAD.org.
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