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NASUAD Announces Call for Sessions for 30th Annual HCBS Conference
The National Association of States United for Aging and Disabilities (NASUAD) announced the Call For Sessions for the 30th Annual National Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Conference on September 15-18, 2014 in Arlington, VA. The conference offers a blend of policy, program and practice issues for professionals interested in home and community-based waivers and services for all ages and abilities. Last year's conference had a strong presence from the agencies of the US Department of Health and Human Services including Administration for Community Living (ACL), Administration on Aging (AoA), and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Proposals are currently being accepted for workshops, and the due date is March 31, 2014.
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Webinar: Aging Network Leaders - Encourage Agencies to Find New Volunteers
Join us on March 18, 1:00 p.m. ET 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
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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
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Administration for Community Living
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Webinar:
Disaster Preparedness Planning for Family Caregivers
The Administration for Community Living (ACL) and the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) have partnered to present a webinar focused on disaster preparedness to support family caregivers on April 16, 2014, 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m ET. Participants will learn:
- How to help family caregivers develop an emergency plan for themselves and their family members who have health or functional needs.
- Compelling reasons to develop an emergency plan.
- The unique aspects of disaster planning for vulnerable populations.
- Tips from experts with experience working with vulnerable populations in disasters.
Guest Speakers include:
- Dr. Cheryl Levine, At-Risk Team Lead with HHS/ASPR
- Greg Link, Aging Services Program Specialist and Team-Lead, with HHS/ACL
- Peg Kinsell, Director of Public Policy with the Statewide Parent Advocacy Network in New Jersey
- Della Sanchez, LGSW, Alabama Cares Coordinator, Support for Caregivers, SARPC/Area Agency on Aging, Mobile, Alabama
- Jed Levine, Executive Vice President, Director of Programs and Services, Alzheimer's Association, New York City Chapter
- Iris Terashima, developer and trainer for the National Disaster Preparedness Training Center: Natural Disaster Awareness for Caregivers of Senior Citizens
Click here to register for the webinar.
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Center for Medicare and Medicaid and Services
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Final Rule and Payment Notice: Basic Health Program
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) presented the final rule for the Basic Health Program (BHP) and the final funding methodology for BHP program year 2015 at the Federal Register. These policies will be used to calculate the federal BHP payment rates for states in 2015.
The BHP is an optional program, created by the Affordable Care Act for states to implement and provide health coverage to individuals with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL). In states that implement BHP, enrollees will receive health care coverage through the state's BHP instead of receiving the premium tax credit (PTC) and cost-sharing reductions (CSRs) to purchase coverage in the Health Insurance Marketplace. As currently proposed, States will receive 95 percent of the PTC and 95 percent of the CSRs that the individual would have received if he or she enrolled in coverage offered through the Marketplace.
Click here to view the Federal Register notices, and additional information about BHP.
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FMAP Guidance on 12-Month Continuous Eligibility for Adults
In guidance given by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on May 17, 2013, states were given the option of adopting a 12 month continuous eligibility policy for parents and other adults. The guidance stated that CMS would work with states interested in this strategy on ways to apply the appropriate Federal Medical Assistance Percentages (FMAP) to the extent that individuals remain enrolled despite not meeting the requirements for newly eligible FMAP. CMS has developed an FMAP adjustment that will be applied in order to take this factor into account.
Calculating the FMAP Adjustment
CMS has reviewed the analysis of health policy researchers at George Washington University (GW). These researchers studied the impact of continuous eligibility on enrollment continuity for children, after the enactment of the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 (CHIPRA), when seven states adopted 12-months continuous eligibility policies for children.
Based on the information from the GW analysis for this population, 97.4% of the member months could be matched at the enhanced rate. In addition, 2.6% of the member months would be matched at the regular FMAP to account for the proportion of member months that beneficiaries would have been dis-enrolled due to excess income in the absence of continuous eligibility.
Implementing the FMAP Adjustment
Implementation of the FMAP adjustment would occur through the 1115 waiver that authorizes 12-month continuous eligibility for adults. Therefore, any changes to the FMAP documentation would happen simultaneously with any changes to the 1115 demonstration. Under this approach:
- The individuals would be enrolled in the adult group (1902(a)(10)(A)(i)(VIII) and claimed at the Affordable Care Act enhanced match.
- CMS would make an adjustment through CMS-64W to account for the proportion of member months in which beneficiaries were enrolled under continuous eligibility. Also, it includes beneficiaries which would have been dis-enrolled due to excess income in the absence of continuous eligibility.
For budget neutrality purposes, CMS would treat the population as a "hypothetical" population, which means that the state would not have to spend budget neutrality savings (or have any budget neutrality savings to spend) to implement continuous eligibility.
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Department of Housing and Urban Development
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HUD Announces $120 Million for People with Disabilities
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently announced about $120 million in funding (Section 811 PRA) for state housing agencies to provide long-term rental assistance. This funding program will help prevent many people with disabilities from experiencing homelessness or unnecessary institutionalization. The program also reinforces the guiding principles of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the landmark 1999 Supreme Court ruling in Olmstead v. L.C., which require state and local governments to provide services in the most integrated settings appropriate to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities. Applications for the Section 811 PRA are due May 5, 2014.
Click here to view the press release.
Click here to view the Notice of Funding Availability.
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Department of Health and Human Services
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Study: People with Mental Illness More Likely to be Victims of Violence
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released a new study entitled, People with Mental Illness More Likely to Be Victims of Violence on Healthfinder.gov.The study shows that people living with mental illness are much more likely to be victims of violent crime than to commit acts of violence. During the six-month study period, the study revealed that nearly one third of adults with a mental health disorder were victims of violence. The study also reports a strong connection between being a victim of a violent act and committing one.
Click here for more information.
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Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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Webinar: Transforming Lives Through Supported Employment Program Grant
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is holding an informational Technical Assistance Webinar on March 25, 2014, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. ET for organizations interested in applying for the Transforming Lives through Supported Employment Grant Program. The purpose of this program is to enhance state and community capacity to provide and expand evidence-based supported employment programs (such as the Individual Placement and Support model) to adults with serious mental illnesses including persons with co-occurring mental and substance use disorders.
The expected outcome of the program is for states to have the necessary infrastructure in place to maintain and expand supported employment services throughout the state and increase the number of individuals with serious mental illness and co-occurring mental and substance use disorders who obtain and retain competitive employment. The webinar will be recorded and available 48 hours after the webinar ends.
Call 877-918-3032, Participant passcode: 9857326
Click here to join the event directly.
Click here for more information on this grant opportunity.
Call 877-855-4797 for technical assistance in participating in the webinar.
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Congressional Recess
The House and Senate are in recess this week.
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American Association on Health and Disability
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New Fact Sheet for the National Disability Navigator Resource Collaborative
The American Association on Health and Disability (AAHD) released a new fact sheet for the National Disability Navigator Resource Collaborative (NDNRC). Fact sheet #4: Rehabilitation and Habilitation Services and Devices is intended to help navigators and other enrollment specialists answer specific questions that people with disabilities might ask about a health plans' coverage of rehabilitation and habilitation services and supports as well as devices including wheelchairs, prosthetics, low vision aids and augmentative communication devices. This is the fourth fact sheet in a series designed to support navigators and other enrollment specialists as they assist consumers with disabilities in enrolling for coverage through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplaces.
Click here to view the fact sheet and a 2 page executive summary.
Click here to view the entire list of fact sheets, both available and forthcoming.
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ARCH National Respite Network
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Call for Presentations Due March 21: 2014 National Lifespan Respite Conference
The ARCH National Respite Network, in collaboration with the Tennessee Respite Coalition, will host the 2014 National Lifespan Respite Conference in Nashville, TN on
October 7-9, 2014, at the Nashville Marriott at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. Participants are invited you to submit a proposal for a breakout session on any aspect of planned or emergency respite service delivery, access, research, evaluation, best practices or innovation. The conference theme, Get in Tune with Respite, reflects the great musical city of Nashville and challenges conference attendees to learn and share how respite can create harmony for families in caregiving situations. The Call for Presentations is now open and proposals for breakout sessions are being accepted. The deadline for submissions is March 21, 2014.
Click here to download the Call for Presentations and complete the Presenter Application Form online.
Click here for more information on the conference.
Click here to contact the TN Respite Coalition.
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The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials
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Webinar: Healthy Aging: Cognition & Injury Prevention
The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) is holding a webinar entitled, Cognition and Injury Prevention, on March 17, 2014, 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET. The webinar will explore areas for synergy between existing state-based efforts to prevent injury among those with Alzheimer's and other dementias. It will also highlight integrated injury prevention initiatives and policies encompassing public awareness and education, partnerships, data and research, and community-based programs. This is the second webinar of a Healthy Aging webinar series focusing on strategies and partnerships for improving and sustaining the health of older adults and their communities. Pre-registration is required.
Click here to pre-register for the webinar.
Click here to access the first webinar recording of the Healthy Aging webinar series.
Click here to view ASTHO's Healthy Aging website for recent resources and recommendations.
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| Center on Budget and Policy Priorities |
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Help Seniors Maximize Tax Savings
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities has announced the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (VITA/TCE) programs, which provide free tax filing assistance for seniors earning less than $52,000 a year and tax filers aged 60+. Low- to moderate-income working seniors may qualify for the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) to save money during the tax season.
Click here to view the EITC outreach materials.
Click here to learn more about VITA/TCE. |
| National Academy of Social Insurance |
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When to Take Social Security
The National Academy of Social Insurance (NASI) has developed a new toolkit to educate workers approaching retirement about their options for taking Social Security benefits, and why it can pay to wait. Social Security beneficiaries can begin receiving Social Security benefit payments any time between ages 62 and 70, but there are sound financial reasons for seniors to delay taking Social Security benefits if possible, including higher monthly benefit payments. The toolkit includes a video, fact sheet and additional resources.
Click here to access the toolkit.
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| National Council on Aging |
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Webinar: Why SNAP is Important for Seniors
The National Council on Aging (NCOA) and the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities are holding a webinar entitled, Why SNAP is Important for Seniors, on March 25, 2014, 2:00 p.m. ET. The webinar is the first in a four-part webinar series on SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). It is intended to provide a basic foundation on SNAP and its importance to the senior population with each subsequent webinar building on the information provided in the previous webinar. This webinar is for new advocates in the field of SNAP but also for advocates who want additional information about how SNAP works and why it is important for seniors.
Click here to register for the webinar.
Click here to learn about SNAP.
Click here to view the application process using NCOAs SNAP map.
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Save the Date: 2014 Consumer Voice Annual Conference
The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care is holding the 2014 Consumer Voice Annual Conference from
November 15-19, 2014 in Arlington, VA. Attendees will have the opportunity to network with advocates and colleagues from across the country; interact directly with long-term care consumers; hear from the best speakers in the field; receive the latest long-term care policy updates from key experts; and acquire tools and resources that will re-energize their work and help put advocacy into action.
Click here to receive updates on registration and conference agenda details.
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National Academy for State Health Policy: Senior Program Director
The National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP) seeks a Senior Program Director to be based in Portland, Maine or Washington, DC. This position is responsible for development and management of NASHP's long term and chronic care program. The successful candidate will combine substantive health policy knowledge, strong analytic and writing skills, and ability to work with state officials, other stakeholders and NASHP staff, to successfully develop, manage, and complete projects consistent with the mission of the organization. NASHP will consider candidates with substantive health policy knowledge in a broad range of chronic and long term care areas, including behavioral health.
Click here to apply for the position.
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Scripps Gerontology Center: Research Assistant/Associate
The Scripps Gerontology Center seeks a Research Assistant/Associate to assist with and manage various ongoing research projects in order to support research growth and development. The Research Assistant/Associate will support and enhance the organization's successful research through data preparation, analysis support and ongoing project management. The candidate will assist with the design and implementation of quantitative research data collection; assist with cleaning, assembling, and analyzing data from multiple sources using SAS or SPSS; provide day-to-day project management including coordination of project teams, maintaining regular communications with partner/funding organizations; contributing to grant proposal development; assisting with the design and refinement of reports/manuscripts; and other duties as assigned.
Click here to apply for the position. Click "Search Postings" and enter the posting number: 0002348.
Click here to contact Dr. Tiffany Major with questions.
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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 for more information on how to start a fundraiser, download free material, get merchandise, and more.
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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. 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.
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March is Social Work Month
Social Work Month 2014, aims to educate the public about improving social conditions and quality of life opportunities for everyone. These values are essential to improving relationships within families, making social support systems more effective, and building stronger communities. This year, the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) selected a theme and logo to help raise awareness about the American social work profession's 116-year commitment in pursuing social change to benefit a wide variety of individuals, families and communities. Social workers across the globe continue to believe that all people have dignity and deserve respect. The 2014 Social Work Month theme is "All People Matter."
Click here for more information on 2014 Social Work Month.
Click here to send questions or requests.
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Supported Employment Program Grant
Full Title: Mental Health Transformation Grant Program: Transforming Lives through Supported Employment
Issuing Agency: The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Eligible Applicants: Mental health authorities in states, territories, and the District of Columbia; federally recognized American Indian/Alaska Native tribes and tribal organizations, or urban Indian organization authorized to develop or direct the state/tribal-sponsored supported employment programs.
Funding Level: $4,800,000
Close Date: April 21, 2014
Funding Opportunity Number: SM-14-011
CFDA Number: 93.243
Description: The purpose of this program is to enhance state and community capacity to provide and expand evidence-based supported employment programs (such as the Individual Placement and Support model) to adults with serious mental illnesses including persons with co-occurring mental and substance use disorders. The expected outcome of the program is for states to have the necessary infrastructure in place to maintain and expand supported employment services throughout the state and increase the number of individuals with serious mental illness and co-occurring mental and substance use disorders who obtain and retain competitive employment.
Click here for more information on this grant opportunity.
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