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NASUAD Releases New Sequester Analysis
NASUAD recently released a document to explain the operability of the Budget Control Act of 2011 (BCA)'s sequestration procedures in 2014 and beyond. The analysis, entitled "Sequestration in 2014," answers several frequently-asked-questions and will be updated as additional information becomes available.
The BCA established a Congressional Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction to propose legislation that would reduce federal deficits by $1.2 trillion over ten years. The law also created a backup sequestration procedure to ensure that this level of deficit reduction would be achieved if lawmakers failed to reach an agreement, which is what happened. As a result, the BCA's sequester mandates cuts to defense and non-defense funding totaling $109.3 billion each year through 2021.
Absent Congressional action, the 2014 sequestration is set to begin in mid-January. To view NASUAD's analysis of how the potential cuts will impact federal funding next year, please follow this link.
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National I&R Support Center
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Webinar: Resources for People with Alzheimer's and Related Dementias, and Their Caregivers
The National Information and Referral Support Center will hold a webinar on Tuesday, December 10, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET, entitled, Resources for People with Alzheimer's and Related Dementias and Their Caregivers. The December technical assistance call will include an overview of the National Alzheimer's Call Center, as well as their numerous available on-line resources.
Presenters will focus on various special populations such as aging parents of adult children with physical and developmental disabilities where dementia may be affecting the parent and/or adult child with disabilities, and younger people with dementia. Amy Wiatr-Rodriguez, Aging Services Program Specialist at the Administration for Community Living (ACL) will provide a brief overview of ACL-supported dementia resources; and Ruth Drew, Director of Family and Information Services at the Alzheimer's Association will present on the Call Center.
After registering, you will receive a link to join the webinar.
You must also call in by dialing 888-346-3659;
Passcode: 382574
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AIRS Conference: Call for Proposals
AIRS is accepting proposals for its 2014 Conference, from now through March 1, 2014.
AIRS seeks workshops across the length and breadth of I&R: aging and disabilities, management, disaster, technology, 2-1-1, resource database, I&R service delivery, serving the military and anything else that can help I&R agencies and their staff continue to meet their ongoing challenges.
Contact Sara Tribe, manager of the AIRS Conference Aging and Disability Track, with questions or to discuss proposal ideas.
Click here for more information on the conference.
Click here for the Call for Proposals.
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| Aging Network Volunteer Collaborative |
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PowerUp! Webinar: Learn about Experiences of Self-Directed Success
Join the Aging Network's Volunteer Collaborative on December 19th form 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. ET to learn from two presenters on why and how self-directed teams are critical to the future of volunteerism with older adults and the impact they have achieved in their organizations and local communities.
Presentations will be from Christine Beatty, Director, Madison Senior Center, Wisconsin and Scott Martin, Self Directed Volunteer Network Facilitator, Delaware
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Administration for Community Living
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Evaluation of the National Family Caregiver Support Program
The Administration for Community Living is directing a national, comprehensive evaluation of the National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP). The evaluation will assess the impact of the program at several levels and will document how NFCSP goals are being met and how programs are being implemented in the field. Details about the evaluation goals and process are available here.
The Federal Register Notice for public comment regarding the proposed NFCSP Evaluation information collection activities was posted on November 20, 2013.
Click here to access the Federal Register Notice.
Written or electronic comments on the proposed information collection activities must be submitted to Alice-Lynn.Ryssman@acl.hhs.gov by January 21, 2014.
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Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Updated 2014 Medicaid Income and Resource Standards for SSI Released
CMS recently announced the release of the updated 2014 Medicaid income and resource standards in accordance with changes in the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) federal benefit rate, and the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
Click here for the full CMS announcement.
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Data Shows Affordable Care Act Saved Seniors $8.9 Billion on Prescription Drugs
CMS announced last week that seniors and people with disabilities with Medicare prescription drug plan coverage saved $8.9 billion to date on their prescription drugs as a result of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
During the first 10 months of 2013, nearly 3.4 million people nationwide who reached the coverage gap (known as the "donut hole") this year, have saved $2.9 billion, an average of $866 per beneficiary. These figures are higher than at this same point last year, when 2.8 million beneficiaries had saved $1.8 billion.
Click here for state-by-state information on savings of Medicare beneficiaries due to new ACL coverage gap rules.
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Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
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CFPB Seeks Advocate Feedback on Illegal Debt Collection Practices
The Federal Government for many years has received more consumer complaints about debt collectors than about any other single industry. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) prohibits debt collectors from engaging in unfair, deceptive, abusive, and other unlawful collection practices, but until recently, no Federal agency was vested with authority to issue general implementing regulations prior to the creation of the CFPB. The CFPB is considering whether rules governing the collection of debts are warranted under the FDCPA or other CFPB authorities, and if so what types of rules would be appropriate.
The CFPB is taking the first step towards considering new consumer protection rules for the debt collection market. Through the Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR), the CFPB is collecting information on a wide array of debt collection topics.The ANPR asks several questions about issues that may be of particular interest to older consumers.
The CFPB requests information from advocates with firsthand knowledge about debt collection issues that affect older consumers. Click here to learn more and to post your comments to CFPB staff.
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Social Security Administration
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The Social Security Administration Is Going Paperless
As of February 2014, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will no longer offer Social Security number (SSN) printouts and benefit verification information in thier field offices. However, to ensure a smooth transition, they will continue providing these services if requested until April 2014. SSA is making these changes to meet the increasing demands for their services at the same time that the agency budget has been significantly cut by over $1B in each of the last three years.
During this same time period, SSA has invested in technology that offers more convenient, cost-effective, and secure options for customers to obtain certain services without visiting a local office. As a result of the changes, SSA beneficiaries and recipients needing a benefit verification letter can obtain one immediately by registering for a my Social Security account, or through the mail within 5-7 days by calling SSA's national toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213.
SSA is asking agencies to help by using available data exchanges to acquire necessary verifications and, when possible, assisting the public with using my Social Security, or contacting them to request a replacement Social Security card.
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New Video Summarizing Ticket to Work Program
In a new four minute video that explains the Ticket to Work program, you can meet Ben, who receives disability benefits but wants to work, and learn more about his journey to navigate the Ticket to Work program, and his options for finding services to help him along the way. In the video, Ben learns what happens when you contact the Ticket to Work Help Line, his options for selecting a service provider to help him meet his work goals and how to make a plan for going to work.
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Adult Day Achievement Act Reintroduced
Rep. Barbara Lee reintroduced the Adult Day Center Enhancement Act of 2013 (H.R. 3221), which if passed, would: Initiate a comprehensive survey of current adult day programs that provide care and support to individuals including young adults living with neurological diseases or conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson's disease, traumatic brain injury, or any similar disease or condition; Establish a grant program for adult day programs that provide care and support to individuals including young adults living with neurological diseases or conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, traumatic brain injury, or any similar disease or conditions; and produce a report to Congress on the grant program, no later than one year after the initial award of grants, and annually thereafter.
Over 400,000 people are estimated to be living with multiple sclerosis, nearly 1 million people live with Parkinson's disease, and about 1.4 million people suffer traumatic brain injuries every year.
Typically, people suffering from these neurological diseases or conditions require support from family caregivers to carry out the activities of daily living. Adult day programs can offer a range of services to assist individuals with disabilities, including medical care, rehabilitation therapies, nutrition therapy, social interaction and transportation. This legislation was also introduced in the last Congress.
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AARP Public Policy Institute
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New Report Examines the Assessment of Needs of Family Caregivers in HCBS Programs Under Medicaid
The AARP Public Policy Institute has released a new research report entitled, Listening to Family Caregivers: The Need to Include Family Caregiver Assessment in Medicaid Home and Community-Based Service Waiver Programs. The report presents findings from a 50-state survey examining how well the needs of family caregivers are assessed during the process of evaluation of older people and adults with disabilities who qualify for Medicaid home- and community-based services (HCBS) programs.
This report is the first detailed analysis of family caregiver assessment tools and processes in use by the states in Medicaid waiver programs. The report also highlights promising practices in family caregiver assessment in three states, and offers policy recommendations to expand HCBS to strengthen caregiving families.
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Survey Seeks Information about Health and People with Disabilities
The Arc's HealthMeet initiative, which aims to reduce health disparities among people with intellectual/developmental disability (I/DD), is launching a short, internet-based survey intended to be completed by family or staff who support people with intellectual disability. This survey asks about the health status of people with intellectual disability, and can also be used as a checklist to help people identify red flags about the health of an individual.
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National Academy of Social Insurance
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Report Highlights Challenges During End of Life Care
The National Association of Social Insurance (NASI) released a brief by Anne Montgomery which lays out the challenges and opportunities individuals and their families face in the health care system when they try to secure the care they want during advanced illness and at the end of life.
Ms. Montgomery explores recent policy developments and calls for honest conversations among patients, providers, and family members, as well as between policymakers and stakeholders to ensure that individuals get the care they want.
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National Coalition on Health Care
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Forum: Improving the Quality of Life through Palliative Care
The National Coalition on Health Care (NCHC) in partnership with Representative Eliot Engel, will host a forum on December 9, 2:30-4:00 pm ET, at the Rayburn Office Building on the topic of palliative care. Research demonstrates that while patients are often not offered the option to pursue it, palliative care can improve outcomes and patient satisfaction.
Palliative care provides an extra layer of support for people of any age and at any stage of a serious disease such as cancer, and can be provided alongside curative treatment. This type of care relies on interdisciplinary teams of providers to coordinate and deliver care centered on patients' needs and preferences.
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National Council on Aging
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Report on Medicare Special Enrollment Periods
The 2013 Medicare open enrollment period comes to a close on Dec. 7. After this deadline, Medicare beneficiaries can still take advantage of several Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs), including the 5-star SEP, which starts each year on Dec. 8. The star-rating system is intended to offer incentives, including awarding bonus payments to Medicare Advantage plans that provide better quality care of services to their members.
The National Council on Aging (NCOA) had compiled two reports to help beneficiaries, caregivers, and aging and disability specialists understand the important rules associated with the 5-star SEP. The reports are also intended to help beneficiaries find a plan that best meets their needs.
Click here to learn about the star quality rating and related SEP.
Click here to review the most commonly used Part D Special Enrollment Periods.
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Grant Opportunity: Teaming Up with Walmart to Enroll Seniors in SNAP
NCOA, with support from the Walmart Foundation, is leading an initiative to alleviate senior hunger and enroll more older adults into the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
State agencies, senior centers, community and faith-based organizations, and coalitions are invited to apply for grants of up to $50,000 to help seniors apply for and enroll in SNAP. The application deadline is January 3.
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2013 Falls Prevention Awareness Day Report
The 6th Annual Falls Prevention Awareness Day (September 22, 2013) was the biggest event to date, with 47 states and the District of Columbia participating.
The National Council on Aging has completed a report entitled, Falls Prevention Awareness Day: A Compendium of State and National Activities. The report includes data from participating states, as well as photos, YouTube links, highlights, challenges, and opportunities that may be useful in planning falls prevention activities.
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National Council on Independent Living
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Survey on Disability Employment
The National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) is seeking broad support to get public input on its disability employment survey. Findings from the survey are intended to shape disability policy and will be widely shared.
Click here to view and/or take the survey.
For more information about this 10-minute survey, please contact Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi at jlm@laszlostrategies.com.
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National Senior Citizens Law Center
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Webinar: Lessons Learned from Dual Eligible Demonstrations: New York, Virginia and South Carolina
On December 17, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET, The National Senior Citizens Law Center (NSCLC) is hosting a webinar on the lessons learned from the dual demonstration projects in New York, Virginia and South Carolina. In 2013, each of these states received approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for their state's dual eligible demonstration project. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for these three states builds on MOUs from previous state demonstrations, and includes features of interest to advocates in other states.
The webinar will review specific features of the state programs, including the appeals process, care continuity, plan evaluations and ombudsman programs. Presenters include: Krystal Knight, Medicare Rights Center; Georgia Burke, National Senior Citizens Law Center; and Fay Gordon, National Senior Citizens Law Center.
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National Council on Aging: 2014 Annual Conference on Independent Living, Call for Workshop Proposals
This year's conference will be held July 28-31, 2014, at the Grand Hyatt in downtown Washington, DC. The National Council on Independent Living seeks workshop facilitators for the 2014 Annual Conference on the following themes:
- Enhancing skills and resources for fundraising and development
- New federal, state, and local funding opportunities for CILs and SILCs
- Allowable strategies for resource development at SILCs
- Sustainability through new leadership, including young and minority advocates
NCIL's Annual Conference Committee encourages conference workshops that seek to improve the skills and resources of staff to carry out the four core services of CILs and operate strong SILCs.
Click here to submit a workshop proposal.
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NASI Conference
The National Academy of Social Insurance's 26th annual conference will be held January 29-30, 2014 at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. It goes in depth on "Strengthening the Web of Financial and Retirement Security," including issues such as:
Rethinking the American Social Contract: Building On What Works
- How Can We Pay for What Americans Want?
- Social Security Disability Insurance: The Untold Story
- What Are the Consequences of Medicare Beneficiaries Paying More for Health Care?
- The War on Poverty: A Fresh Perspective
- Breaking Through: Changing the National Conversation
Click here for more event information and to register for the conference.
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Executive Director - Meals on Wheels of Middle Georgia, Inc
Meals on Wheels of Middle Georgia, Inc. posted the following Executive Director position:
The Executive Director will assume responsibility for the overall planning and operation of the agency: assess the client needs that can be met by the agency and the agency needs; formulate goals and a plan of action for maintaining/improving/developing agency projects (with the involvement of the board of directors, staff, and volunteers); and direct the implementation of the agency plan.
Click here for the complete job description.
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