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HCBS Conference Early-Bird Registration Deadline Approaching
Early-bird registration for this year's National Home and Community Based Services Conference ends on
August 5th. Don't miss your chance to receive discounted conference registration rates! Click here to register today.
When: September 9-12, 2013
- Pre-Conference workshops: September 9
- HCBS Conference: September 10 - September 12
Where: The Hyatt Regency Crystal City, Arlington, VA
The full HCBS Conference agenda is now available online! Click here to view the full agenda. |
| Department of Health and Human Services |
Health Insurance Marketplace Training: Becoming a Certified Application Counselor Organization
Want to find out how your organization can help millions of Americans get health coverage? If you're interested in training your staff and volunteers to assist people applying for coverage through the Federally-facilitated Marketplace (including a State Partnership Marketplace), you can apply to be a Certified Application Counselor (CAC) organization. Applications are now available here for interested organizations.
Join CMS for a foundational training session that will cover what you need to know to become a Certified Application Counselor (CAC) organization. Topics include:
- requirements for a CAC organization
- how to apply to be a CAC organization
- overview of training requirements
- Marketplace eligibility and enrollment
- Medicaid expansion
- The streamlined application process
Choose the session that works for you below and click on the Webinar link to register:
August 5, 2013 1:30-3:00 PM ET (link to register)
August 7, 2013 1:30-3:00 PM ET (link to register)
Visit HealthCare.gov to learn more about the Health Insurance Marketplace. Open enrollment begins on October 1, 2013 for coverage starting as early as January 2014.
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HHS Releases New Information To Show How the Affordable Care Act Benefits Americans
On July 29th, 2013, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released new information showing how the Affordable Care Act benefits the Americans.
Click here to view an interactive map that shows how the Affordable Care Act is improving healthcare in each state.
According to HHS, over 6.6 million people with Medicare have saved over $7 billion on prescription drugs as a result of the Affordable Care Act. These savings average $1,061 per beneficiary in drug costs while a beneficiary is in the "donut hole" (a coverage gap currently built into Medicare Part D) that the law closes over time. HHS also announced that 16.5 million people with traditional Medicare took advantage of at least one free preventive service in the first six months of 2013. Click here to read the press release. |
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services |
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CMS to Hold a Webinar On Improvements In Section 1915(c) HCBS Waiver Quality Requirements
CMS is offering a Quality webinar for the states regarding enhancements to the Continuous Quality Improvement process states must incorporate in their 1915(c) Home and Community-Based (HCBS) waiver applications. The webinar will be held on Tuesday, August 6, 2013, 3:30-5:30 p.m. ET and repeated on Tuesday, August 13, 2013, 3:00-5:00 p.m. ET.
CMS has worked with the National Association of Medicaid Directors (NAMD), the National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services (NASDDDS) and the National Association of States United for Aging and Disabilities (NASUAD) along with 14 representatives from 10 states to review and evaluate the current Continuous Quality Improvement System process states must incorporate in their 1915(c) Home and Community-Based (HCBS) waiver applications. The goal was to determine how the system can be adjusted and/or enhanced. This webinar will discuss the findings and final recommendations of that group. CMS will discuss the timeline for operationalizing the changes and the options states will have available to them to continue to improve their CQI system.
You must pre-register to attend this event:
Click here to register for the August 6 webinar.
Click here to register for the August 13 webinar: (which will repeat the August 6 content).
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CMS SNF/LTC Open Door Forum
The CMS Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF)/Long-Term Care (LTC) Open Door Forum (ODF) addresses the concerns and issues of both the Medicare SNF, the Medicaid NF, and the nursing home industry generally. Discussed during this forum are issues related to the Minimum Data Set; SNF Consolidated Billing; the roles and responsibilities of different SNF, NF or LTC professional staff under CMS regulations; clarifications of issues that are covered during a survey and certification process; and the many rules and requirements under which different related services can be payable. Timely announcements and clarifications regarding important rulemaking, quality program initiatives, and other related areas are also included in the forums.
The most recent CMS Skilled Nursing Facilities/Long Term Care Open Door Forum took place on August 1, 2013.
Click here for more information on the forum.
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Administration for Community Living
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2013 Webinar Series on Alzheimer's Disease and Resources
The National Institute on Aging (NIA) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Administration for Community Living (ACL) are collaborating to host a five-part webinar series with the goals of 1) improving coordination of federal resources available to assist people with Alzheimer's disease or other dementias and their family caregivers and 2) encouraging awareness of research participation opportunities. NIA & ACL invite you to take advantage of these opportunities. You can register for all of the webinars or just the one or two that most interest you. Registration will open approximately two months in advance of each webinar.
The next webinar, Webinar #4: Younger Onset Dementia, will take place on Tuesday, August 20, 2013, 1:30-3:00 p.m. ET. The focus of this webinar will be on dementias that typically occur before age 65: Alzheimer's disease, behavioral variant frontotemporal degeneration and primary progressive aphasia. This session will also discuss the specific developmental, relational, and financial impacts of younger onset dementias, as well as detection, diagnosis, resources and research directions.
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DoD Publishes a Guide to Help Civilian Nonprofit Organizations Provide Support to Military Families
The Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Military Community & Family Policy under the U.S. Department of Defense recently released the Primer for Civilian Nonprofit Organizations; Providing Support to Our Military Families through MilitaryOneSource. This primer provides demographic information that highlights the factors that make military families unique along with some general information about the types of ongoing and occasional support they may need. The guide also helps the reader understand the challenges service members and their families face, what support is available through the military community, and how to link military families to existing resources. |
| National Council on Disability |
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NCD Releases A New Report On Court Decisions Under the ADA Amendments Act
The National Council on Disability (NCD) recently released a report entitled "A Promising Start: Preliminary Analysis of Court Decisions Under the ADA Amendments Act," which reviews the court decisions that have been rendered to date applying the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA), and reveals significant changes in how courts are interpreting protections intended for coverage under the ADA. The report offers 23 findings and three recommendations based on an analysis of court decisions made under the ADAAA by examining decisions rendered under ADA amendments that were agreed on across both sides of the aisle in Congress. The report suggests that the ADAAA has made a significant positive difference for plaintiffs in ADA lawsuits thus far.
Click here for the executive summary of the report
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| Social Security Administration |
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Social Security Benefits for Same Sex Couples
Last month, after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the federal Defense of Marriage Act, President Obama stated, "I've directed the Attorney General to work with other members of my Cabinet to review all relevant federal statutes to ensure this decision, including its implications for Federal benefits and obligations, is implemented swiftly and smoothly." Social Security is now working with the Department of Justice to determine how the court decision affects their programs and benefits, and is encouraging individuals who believe they may be eligible for Social Security benefits to apply now, in order to protect against the loss of any potential benefits. The Social Security Administration reports that they will process these claims and begin paying benefits to same sex couples as soon as they have finalized instructions for claim development.
Click here to see Social Security Administration's press release on this topic.
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Bipartisan Legislators Seek Relief for Older Adults with Chronic Illnesses
Attempting to help thousands of seniors afford their needed medications, while saving hundreds of dollars over time, a bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced legislation today to allow Medicare Part D beneficiaries to request lower co-pays for high-cost specialty drugs used to treat chronic illnesses. The proposal, the Part D Beneficiary Appeals Fairness Act, is lead by Sens. Bill Nelson (D-FL) and Susan Collins (R-ME) in the Senate, and U.S. Reps. Hank Johnson (D-GA), Walter Jones (R-NC), David McKinley (R-WV) and Bruce Braley (D-Iowa) in the House. The Senate bill is S. 1365 and the House measure is H.R. 2827.
The lawmakers' legislation was filed in response to the rapid rise of tiered prescription benefit plans that shift high-cost medications to a specialty category that requires Medicare Part D beneficiaries to pay a larger share of the drug's cost. Insurers use the tiers to differentiate among generic, brand name and "non-preferred" brand name drugs.
Click here for the Senate Special Committee on Aging press release.
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The Arc Releases A Guide For Non-Profit Employers On ACA
The Arc, an organization that advocates for and serves individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, recently released the guide, "The Affordable Care Act: What Non Profit Employers Need to Know," which explains the basic provisions of the law for employers. The publication provides an overview of what the ACA requires of employers, what penalties are imposed on large employers, an explanation about whether employers keep their current health insurance, how non-profits can apply for tax credits, and what additional provision apply to non-profits.
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| Association of Travel Instruction |
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Association of Travel Instruction To Hold Annual Conference in August
The Association of Travel Instruction (ATI), a nonprofit organization dedicated to the professional development of public transportation travel trainers and travel instructors for individuals with disabilities and seniors, will hold its 13th Annual Conference at the Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza Hotel in downtown Chicago from August 15 to August 18, 2013. Interested persons who become ATI members and who register for the ATI Conference on or before July 15, 2013 receive a $125 discount. Presentations at the ATI Conference include developing community connections to expand a travel training program, and growing two separate senior citizen travel training programs in one community.
Click here to register and for more information on the conference.
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The Consumer Voice Holds 37th Annual Conference
The Consumer Voice Annual Conference will be held in Hilton Crystal City at Washington Reagan National Airport from October 24 to 27, 2013. A preliminary draft agenda is now available.
2013 Conference attendees will:
- Engage in one-on-one dialogue with consumers of long-term services and supports;
- Get the latest policy updates directly from key experts at the federal level;
- Learn about best practices nationwide;
- Attend skills trainings and acquire tools and resources;
- Leave the meeting with specific information and takeaways to help you put your systems or individual advocacy into action.
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NPR Show on The Green House Model
NPR's show, All Things Considered, recently aired a radio story titled, "Move Over Nursing Homes-- There's Something Different." This segment spends time in The Green House residences of Stadium Place in Baltimore. Interviews with older adults, direct care staff and Dr. Bill Thomas, assist the listener in understanding the details of a Green House home. The Green House Project offers a model for long term care designed to look and feel less like an institution and more like a real home.
Click here to listen to and read the full NPR Story.
Additionally, a short video by The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation was recently released to define the goals of this movement in the larger realm of long term care.
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Join 2013 Walking Summit in DC in October
2013 Walking Summit, sponsored by Kaiser Permanente, will take place in Washington, DC on October 1-3, 2013. Join national and local leaders to engage in inspiring conversations and sessions that will build capacity, develop strategies, increase momentum, and showcase best practices to increase investments in walking and walkability.
Click here to register. Early-bird registration ends on August 12, 2013. |
| Mathematica Policy Research |
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CMS and Mathematica Policy Research Release an Issue Brief on Personal Assistance Services
CMS and Mathematica Policy Research recently released an issue brief entitled, "Implications of State Methods for Offering Personal Assistance Services," which explores the implications of different state methods for providing personal assistance, including the rates of personal assistance use, and the overall balance of states' long-term care spending. Many individuals who need long-term services and supports use personal assistance services to help them with routine activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, and transferring in and out of chairs or the bed. The issue brief compares state-level measures of service utilization and expenditures for personal assistance services in states that offer these services through a state plan versus through 1915(c) waivers alone.
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| National Council on Independent Living |
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NCIL Holds a Teleconference on ADRC/NWD Network Partnership
National Center for Independent Living (NCIL) will hold a teleconference on August 6, 2013, 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. ET. State and local ADRC networks have created strong partnerships across aging and disability organizations and assumed critical roles in the conversation and planning on re-balancing LTSS. The teleconference will review how attendees can build on these partnerships to take advantage of new funding opportunities, expand funding from existing sources, and share resources with partners. NCIL members from Vermont and Connecticut will share some of their successes.
Click here to reserve your spot on the teleconference.
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Call For Applications: Practice Change Leaders for Aging and Health Program
Practice Change Leaders is accepting 2014 applications for Practice Change Leaders for Aging and Health Program. This is a national program to develop and expand the influence of organizational leaders who are committed to achieving transformative improvements in care for older adults. State and local leaders will be considered if they have direct responsibility for care, sufficient agency support and meet other selection criteria. Especially encouraged to apply are leaders in mental health and community-based organizations. The application deadline is Monday, September 23, 2013 5:00 p.m. ET.
Click here for more information on the program.
Click here to view the application announcement.
Interested persons are encouraged to join one or more of the informational teleconferences on this application opportunity.
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Webinar: Health Care for Aging Adults with Intellectual/ Developmental Disabilities
Examining the Organization of Healthcare for Aging Adults with Intellectual Disabilities, a Canadian research project funded by the Vancouver Foundation, examines the implementation of healthcare policies into practice for adults aging with intellectual disabilities. Health Services for Community Living (HSCL) is a British Columbia provincial program established following the closure of large institutions to specifically address the healthcare needs of people with ID living in the community. The webinar will examine policy-practice gaps in the implementation of HSCL and other relevant services and policies across five regional health authorities.
Held on Wednesday, August 21, 2013 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. ET, the webinar will focus on the following key areas: 1) the practical policy implications of transitioning from "Person with Disabilities" to "Senior Citizen" status; 2) the lack of knowledge among healthcare professionals to provide appropriate care for this population; 3) the availability of informal supports for aging parents and siblings; and 4) end of life care.
Click here to register for the webinar.
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Rosline Gilbert Innovations in Alzheimer's Disease Caregiving Legacy Award
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
The Family Caregiver Alliance oversees this national awards program. The deadline for applications is August 16, 2013, and winners will be announced in late November 2013.
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Rapid Secondary Analysis to Optimize Care for Patients with Multiple Chronic Conditions
Grant Title: Rapid Secondary Analysis to Optimize Care for Patients with Multiple Chronic Conditions (MCC)
Agency Issuing Grant: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Eligible Applicants: State governments, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) and Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
Close Date: August 28, 2013
Funding Opportunity Number: RFA-HS-14-001
CDFA Number: 93.226
Grant Amount: $1,600,000 for 4 grants
Description: This opportunity seeks to fund research studies that can be conducted rapidly and will provide evidence to optimize processes, care, treatments and health of MCC patients. The goal is to provide scientific evidence and information for use by patients and the clinical community to best manage care of MCC patients.
Click here for more information on this funding opportunity.
Applicants must apply for this grant through www.grants.gov.
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Network and Infrastructure Support for Development of Interdisciplinary Aging Research
Grant Title: Network and Infrastructure Support for Development of Interdisciplinary Aging Research
Agency Issuing Grant: National Institutes of Health
Eligible Applicants: State governments, Nonprofits, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) and Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
Close Date: September 25, 2013
Funding Opportunity Number: PAR-13-287
CDFA Number: 93.866
Grant Amount: Not announced.
Description: This opportunity provides network and infrastructure support to foster development of novel interdisciplinary research approaches on aging research related to multiple chronic conditions (MCCs). It uses the Resource-Related Research Project activity code (R24) to support research networks that will advance interdisciplinary collaboration through activities such as meetings, conferences, data exchange, small scale pilots, short term training opportunities, visiting scholar programs and dissemination activities to encourage growth and development in the science related to older adults with MCCs.
Click here for more info on this funding opportunity.
Applicants must apply for this grant through www.grants.gov. |
CMS MFP Tribal Initiative Funding
On July 23, 2013, CMS announced a Money Follows the Person (MFP) Tribal Initiative (TI) funding opportunity. The MFP-TI offers existing MFP state grantees and tribal partners the resources to build sustainable community-based long term services and supports (CB-LTSS) specifically for Indian country. The TI may be used to advance the development of an infrastructure required to implement CB-LTSS for American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) using a single, or a variety of applicable Medicaid authorities.
Funding is intended to support the planning and development of:
- An in-state Medicaid program CB-LTSS (as an alternative to institutional care) tailored for AI/AN who are presently receiving services in an institution; and
- A service delivery structure that includes a set of administrative functions delegated by the state Medicaid agency to Tribes or Tribal organizations (T/TOs), such as enabling tribe(s) to design an effective program or package of Medicaid community-based LTSS, and operating day to day functions pertaining to the LTSS program(s).
- The TI may be used to cover costs necessary to plan and implement activities consistent with the objectives of this funding and within Federal grant regulations. The funds are subject to all the terms and conditions of the MFP Program.
Click here for more information on MFP and the funding opportunity.
Applicants must apply for this grant through
www.grants.gov.
Closing date for applications is October 17th, 2013.
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Building Evidence: Effective Palliative/End of Life Care Interventions
Grant Title: Building Evidence: Effective Palliative/End of Life Care Interventions
Agency Issuing Grant: National Institutes of Health
Eligible Applicants: State governments, Nonprofits, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) and Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
Close Date: June 9, 2016
Funding Opportunity Number: PAR-13-289
CDFA Number: 93.361
Grant Amount: Not announced.
Description: This opportunity announcement seeks to stimulate research that develops and tests optimal palliative and end-of-life care interventions (models of care) based on measurable outcomes. Palliative Care and End-of-Life (PCEOL) interventions are increasingly needed for all individuals with Life Limiting Illnesses (LLI's) in some form or other, including those who are culturally diverse or aging. Adverse impacts have been shown to extend to the caregivers and families of patients with LLIs. Many individuals with LLI's also may concurrently be suffering from multiple complex comorbidities (MCC's), placing an increasing burden on health, health systems and costs.
Click here for more info on this funding opportunity
Applicants must apply for this grant through www.grants.gov. |
Caregiver Homes Seeks Texas State Director
The State Director is responsible for the development of a statewide strategy for Caregiver Homes' business operations in Texas and the implementation annually against that strategy. The State Director will ensure the delivery of the highest quality services to consumers (elders and individuals with disabilities) and their caregivers; and will be the primary representative of Caregiver Homes in Texas with payers (managed care plans, state agencies), referral sources (payers as well as clinical professionals), other professionals (trade associations, legislators, consultants) and community resources (advocates , community programs). The Director will lead staff to embrace a culture of growth and empowerment of caregivers and consumers.
Click here to learn more and to apply for this job online.
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