March 7, 2014
In This Issue
*NASUAD Analyzes the Administration's FY15 Budget Request
*Got an Hour?: Webinar: Aging Network Leaders
*Got an Hour?: Webinar: Are you Looking for New Volunteers?
*ACL Announces Aaron Bishop as AIDD Commisioner
*FCC: Call for Nominations: Awards for Advancement in Accessibility
*FEMA: Call for Applicantions: National Advisory Council
*HHS: dverse Events in Skilled Nursing Facilities
*NIA: Information and Tips for Alzheimer's Caregivers
*NIA: Preventing Alzheimer's Disease
*Congressional Recess
*AcademyHealth: Webinar: Making the Business Case for Payment and Delivery Reform
*JVR: Employment and Adults with Intellectual Disabilities
*Consumer Voice: Richard Gelula Appointed as Executive Director
*NCOA: New infographic Celebrates CDSME Success
*Viscardi Center: Call for Nominations: Henry Viscardi Achievement Award
*CMA: First Annual National Voices of Medicare Summit and Senator Jay Rockefeller Lecture
*Just for Fun!
*Job Announcements
*March Observances
*Funding Opportunities
*Friday Updates Archive


Save the Date! 

30th Annual National HCBS Conference

September 15-18, 2014 

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From NASUAD  

NASUAD Analyzes the Administration's FY15 Budget Request

On March 4, President Obama submitted his $3.9 trillion fiscal year (FY) 2015 budget request to Congress. His plan outlines the Administration's overall fiscal policy and federal program priorities for the FY that will begin on October 1, 2014. Included in the budget are funding requests for all federal executive departments and independent agencies.  

As in prior years, NASUAD conducted a preliminary analysis of the President's budget request on the day of its release.   This report, which will be updated as additional information continues to become available, includes agency-specific breakdowns of the proposed funding levels, with a focus on initiatives of particular interest to the aging and disability communities, as well as next steps in the federal budget process. In addition, NASUAD created a draft budget chart, which compares proposed, final, and enacted funding levels for key health programs.

 

Click here to access the President's proposed budget.

Click here to view NASUAD's Preliminary Analysis of the President's FY15 budget request. 

Click here to view NASUAD's Draft FY15 Budget Chart.

Got an Hour? Campaign
Webinar: Aging Network Leaders - Encourage Agencies to Find New Volunteers

Join us on March 18, 1:00 p.m. to learn more about how you can help encourage aging network agencies to find new volunteers with the Got an Hour? Give it Back Campaign. The "Got an Hour?" Campaign is designed to help local agencies attract volunteers to programs that work with seniors.  The webinar will review the "Got an Hour?"  Campaign's downloadable materials, webinars, and a search tool (powered by VolunteerMatch.org) to help connect prospective volunteers with opportunities and programs in their own neighborhood.

 

Your office can help encourage local agencies and programs to post their volunteer opportunities on the site, and use our marketing materials to draw new volunteers to the network.

 

Click here to join the visual component of the webinar. 

 

To join the audio component, call 888-346-3659, Passcode: 39660

Webinar: Are you Looking for New Volunteers? Ideas on How to Reach More People

Join us on March 25, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. ET to learn about new resources for growing your volunteer base. The "Got an Hour?" Campaign is designed to help local agencies attract volunteers to programs that work with seniors. The webinar will review the "Got an Hour?" Campaign's downloadable materials, webinars, and a search tool (powered by VolunteerMatch.org) to help connect prospective volunteers with opportunities and programs in their own neighborhood. 

 
The "Got an Hour?" Campaign was developed to help local agencies throughout the country attract volunteers to programs that work with seniors.  

Click here to join the visual component of the webinar.
To join the audio component, call 888-346-3659, Passcode: 39660
From the Administration
Administration for Community Living

ACL Announces Aaron Bishop as AIDD Commisioner

The Administrator of the Administration for Community Living, Kathy Greenlee, announced the appointment of Aaron Bishop as Commissioner, Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AIDD). Since November 2013, Mr. Bishop has been serving as Acting Commissioner.

 

Mr. Bishop has almost 20 years of experience working with and for individuals with disabilities in both the direct practice and public policy sectors. He was the Executive Director of the National Council on Disability from November 2010 until February 2013. In 2006, he received a Kennedy Foundation Public Policy Fellowship to work on federal disability policy and legislation for the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.

 

Mr. Bishop's previous experience also includes serving as the Project Coordinator for the Waisman Center University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities. In this position, he managed projects that advanced the rights of individuals with disabilities. He also served as the Site Coordinator and Director of Technical Assistance for the National Service Inclusion Project for the Association of University Centers on Disabilities.

 

Mr. Bishop received his Master of Science in Social Work degree with an emphasis in public policy, and two Bachelor of Science in Natural Sciences degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

 

Click here to read the full announcement. 

Federal Communications Commission

Call for Nominations Due March 31: Third Annual Chairman's Awards for Advancement in Accessibility 

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is seeking nominations for the third annual Chairman's Awards for Advancement in Accessibility. The awards honor outstanding private and public sector initiatives that advance accessibility for people with disabilities. Awards will be given in several categories. The contest is open to any individual or entity in the public or private sector, or a combination thereof. Self-nominations and those made by a third party will be accepted. Winners and honorable mentions will receive their awards from FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler in June 2014. Nominations must be emailed by March 31.

 

Click here to read the FCC press release.  

Click here to email a nomination.

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Call for Applicantions Due March 14: FEMA National Advisory Council

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) seeks individuals that are interested in serving on the National Advisory Council (NAC). There is one position open for an expert in disabilities. The NAC is an advisory council established to ensure effective and ongoing coordination of federal preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation for natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters. The NAC also consists of up to 35 members, all of whom are experts and leaders in their respective fields. The members of the NAC are appointed by the FEMA Administrator and are composed of federal, state, tribal, local, private sector, and non-profit leaders and subject matter experts in a wide range of disciplines including disabilities. Applications are due by March 14.

 

Click here for more information and application guidelines.

Health and Human Services

HHS Releases Report on Adverse Events in Skilled Nursing Facilities

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released a new report entitled, Adverse Events in Skilled Nursing Facilities: National Incidence among Medicare Beneficiaries.  The study estimated the national incidence rate, preventability, and cost of adverse events in Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs) by using a two-stage medical record review to identify events for a sample of 653 Medicare beneficiaries discharged from hospitals to SNFs for post-acute care. Sample beneficiaries had SNF stays of 35 days or less. According to the report, an estimated 22 percent of Medicare beneficiaries experienced adverse events during their SNF stays. Also, an additional 11 percent of Medicare beneficiaries experienced temporary harm events during their SNF stays. Physician reviewers determined that 59 percent of these adverse events and temporary harm events were clearly or likely preventable. The study confirms the need and opportunity for SNFs to significantly reduce the incidence of resident harm events.

 

Click here to view the report.

National Institute on Aging

Information and Tips for Alzheimer's Caregivers

The National Institute on Aging announced a guide entitled, Caring for a Person with Alzheimer's Disease. This guide offers easy-to-understand information and advice for at-home caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease. The guide also addresses all aspects of care, from bathing and eating to visiting the doctor and getting respite care.

This comprehensive, practical guide offers:

  • An overview of changes that come with Alzheimer's disease
  • Ideas for everyday care and ways to manage daily activities
  • Safety advice
  • Tips and resources for planning ahead
  • Information for coping with the last stages of Alzheimer's
  • Advice to help caregivers care for themselves

Click here to read, download, or order free print copies. 

Preventing Alzheimer's Disease

The National Institute on Aging (NIA) has released a publication entitled, Preventing Alzheimer's disease: What Do We Know? The publication describes the latest NIA-funded research about prevention of Alzheimer's disease and age-related cognitive decline, from physical exercise and diet to social engagement and cognitive training. The publication also includes tips for staying healthy as people grow older.

 

Click here to view the publication.

From Congress

Congressional Recess

The House and Senate are in recess this week.

From Other Organizations

AcademyHealth

Webinar: Making the Business Case for Payment and Delivery Reform

AcademyHealth is holding a webinar entitled, Making the Business Case for Payment and Delivery Reform on March 28, 2014, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. ET. The webinar will describe a 10-step process to develop a clear business case and enable healthcare providers to successfully deliver high-quality care in a financially sustainable way under the new payment system.  The webinar will also describe the four major types of data that are needed to inform the business case design process, provide valuable information for those who are working to develop payment structures within an Accountable Care Organization (ACO) or total cost of care models, and outline ways to develop win-win-win solutions for providers, purchasers, and patients to achieve and enjoy the benefits of payment and delivery system reform. 
 

Click here to register for the free webinar.

Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation 

Research on Employment and Adults with Intellectual Disabilities

The Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation released a research paper entitled, National Snapshot of Adults with Intellectual Disabilities in the Labor Force. The paper was sponsored by Special Olympics and represents the first-ever nationally-representative data set on the employment situation for adults with intellectual disabilities. The findings showed that unemployment among people with intellectual disabilities is more than twice as high as for the general population. However, for those who are employed, most experience job stability, want to work, and have proven that they are capable of being employed.

 

Click here to read about the major findings of the study.
Click here to read the full research paper.

National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care

Richard Gelula Appointed as Executive Director of Consumer Voice

The Governing Board of The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care selected Richard Gelula to be the nonprofit organization's executive director on March 1, 2014. Trained as a social worker in social policy and organizational management, Mr. Gelula joins the Consumer Voice following experiences as an executive of several nonprofit health organizations and as a consultant to dozens of others.


For the past six years, Mr. Gelula was a consultant and principal of his own firm, Next Steps Consulting, LLC.  He worked with local and national nonprofit organizations to plan and develop strategies to advance their missions and programs.  Previously, Mr. Gelula was Executive Director and CEO of the National Sleep Foundation and Chicago Hearing Society.  He was also Vice President of Development of the Alzheimer's Association and Associate Executive Director of the National Osteoporosis Foundation.  Throughout his career, Mr. Gelula has worked to develop sustainable human services and to improve social conditions through advocacy and collaborative efforts.

 

Click here to read the full article.   

Click here to contact Richard Gelula at the Consumer Voice.

Contact Lori Smetanka at 202-332-2275 for more information.

National Council on Aging

New infographic Celebrates CDSME Success

The National Council on Aging (NCOA) has announced a new info graphic that celebrates Management Education (CDSME) success. Since 2006, more than 200,000 people have participated in the CDSME program and NCOA has developed a new infographic to help the aging network share information about the program's success. NCOA has also created a fillable PDF, so organizations can customize the data for their particular state.

 

Click here to get the infographic.

Click here to receive the fillable PDF.

The Viscardi Center

Call for Nominations Due March 15: Henry Viscardi Achievement Award

The Viscardi Center announced a call for nominations for the Henry Viscardi Achievement Awards. The Awards pay tribute to exemplary leaders in the disability community who have had a profound impact on shaping attitudes, raising awareness and improving the quality of life of people with disabilities. The Awards will recognize individual, academic, athletic, community, government, nonprofit, military, corporate, and business leaders who are working to improve the lives of people with disabilities. Individuals of any age, with any type of disability, are eligible. Nominations may be self-submitted or made on behalf of another individual. All nominations must meet the Awards Criteria and be submitted using the online form by no later than March 15, 2014, 5:00 p.m. ET. The Award recipients will be announced on May 5, 2014.
 

Click here to read the Viscardi Achievement Awards Criteria.
Click here to make a nomination.

Events

First Annual National Voices of Medicare Summit and Senator Jay Rockefeller Lecture

The Center for Medicare Advocacy is holding its 1st Annual National Voices of Medicare Summit and Senator Jay Rockefeller Lecture on March 21, 2014, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in Washington, DC. The summit will connect leading experts and advocates to discuss best practices, challenges and successes in efforts to improve health care, long term services and supports, and quality of life for older people and people with disabilities.  
 
Click here for more information and to register for the summit.
Just for Fun!

PSAs Challenge Assumptions about People with Disabilities

Disability.gov recently introduced public service announcements (PSAs) featuring eight of its No Boundaries participants to challenge assumptions about people with disabilities. For more information and to participate in the second No Boundaries photo project, read the articl here.

 

Seniors Hit the Red Carpet for GW Prom

On March 4, more than 130 senior citizens attended the George Washington University's (GW) 12th annual senior prom. This year's celebration boasted a regal Hollywood theme for senior guests. The D.C. Office of the Aging attended to provided resources and information for seniors. Read the article here.

Job Announcements
NCIL 2014 Youth Transitions Fellowship

The National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) is accepting applications for a paid fellowship position with the organizations' disability youth transition and collaboration work. The fellowship is ideal for a person with a disability who has an interest in youth career transitions and employment solutions. The fellowship starts in June 2014, and continues for 12 months. Under the supervision of NCIL's Executive Director, the Youth Transitions Fellow (YTF) will gain exposure to youth programs serving people with disabilities and will have the opportunity to facilitate collaboration among internship, fellowship, and apprenticeship programs based in the Greater Washington, DC area.

 

 The application deadline is April 18, 2014.

 
Click here for additional information on the fellowship and how to apply.
March Observances

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

In February 2000, President Clinton officially dedicated March as National Colon Cancer Awareness Month. Colorectal cancer (cancer of the colon or rectum) is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Every year, about 140,000 Americans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and more than 50,000 people die from it.

 

As part of March and colon cancer awareness, the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable (NCCRT) introduced the Blue Star as the symbol of the fight against colon cancer in 2004. The star represents the eternal memory of those whose lives have been lost to the disease and the shining hope for a future free of colon cancer.

 

Click here to learn more about colorectal cancer.

Click here to learn more about the Blue Star.

Click here to start a fundraiser, download free material, get merchandise, and much more. 

March is National Nutrition Month

National Nutrition Month� is a nutrition education and information campaign sponsored annually by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The campaign is designed to focus attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. National Nutrition Month� also promotes the Academy and its members to the public and the media as the most valuable and credible source of timely, scientifically based food and nutrition information. The 2014 National Nutrition Month Theme is "Enjoy the Taste of Eating Right."

 

Click here to learn more about National Nutrition Month�.

Click here to view the media materials.

Funding Opportunities
Health Impact Project
Full Title: Pew Health Impact Project

Issuing Agency: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) and The Pew Charitable Trusts

Eligible Applicants: State, tribal, or local agencies; tax-exempt educational institutions; or tax-exempt organizations as described in Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code and are not private foundations or non-functionally integrated Type III supporting organizations

Funding Level: $1,350,000

Close Date: April 2, 2014, 6:00 p.m. ET

Funding Opportunity Number: N/A

CFDA Number: N/A 

Description:  This Funding Opportunity will

promotes the use of Health Impact Assessments and related approaches to help policy-makers in a wide range of fields incorporate health considerations into new policies, programs, plans, and projects, and make decisions that reduce unnecessary health risks, improve health, and decrease costs. 

 

Click here for more information on this grant opportunity.

Friday Update Archive

 

Did you miss a previous issue?  

Check out past Friday Updates.