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Our Apologies
Constant Contact, the site we use to send the Friday Update was down on Friday. We apologize for the delay for this issue of Friday Update.
NASUAD.org has an active and updated calendar, grant and job section which also shares the information on this newsletter. The site allows visitors to submit items, as well. For more information, click here.
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Updated State Medicaid Integration Tracker Published
The National Association of States United for Aging (NASUAD) has published the April 2014 Edition of the State Medicaid Integration Tracker, a report which summarizes state actions in managed care for people who receive Medicaid-funded Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS), as well state initiatives relating to services for people who are dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare. This report is updated each month.
The State Medicaid Integration Tracker focuses primarily on state actions in managed care for people who receive Medicaid-funded LTSS and on state initiatives relating to services and costs of services for people who are dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare.
The Tracker also pays close attention to the status of state participation in demonstrations to integrate care for dual eligible individuals.
Click here to download a PDF of the entire tracker.
To search the tracker by state, click here.
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NASUAD Announces Staff Updates
Mr. Damon Terzaghi will be joining NASUAD at the end of the month to serve as a Senior Project Director over NASUAD's Medicaid portfolio. Mr. Terzaghi most recently served as Associate and Vice President for the Marwood Group LLC where he developed reports on Medicaid issues including managed care and Home and Community Based waivers.
Mr. Byron Phillips joins NASUAD as the Executive Assistant to the Executive Director after serving as Executive Assistant to the Chief of Staff and the Medical Director of the American Psychiatric Association for seven years.
NASUAD is sad to report that Mr. John Michael "Mike" Hall will be leaving. For the past two years, Mike has served as a senior member of NASUAD primarily focusing on Medicaid Managed Long Term Services and Supports (MMLTSS). In his tenure at NASUAD, Mike helped states, area agencies on aging, and centers for independent living focus on improving their business acumen and prepare for the new realities of working in private pay and in the managed care environment. Mike's next position will be as executive director of the largest area agency in the state of Vermont, the Champlain Valley Agency on Aging (CVAA). CVAA is the largest AAA in Vermont, serving the four counties in northwestern Vermont, including the Burlington metropolitan area. Please join in wishing Mike well in his next adventure.
For more information on these staff updates, click here.
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National Information and Referral Support Center
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NCIL to Participate in the AIRS Conference
The National I&R Support Center is excited to announce the participation of the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) staff in the Aging and Disability Track at the 2014 AIRS Conference. NCIL has joined NASUAD, n4a, and the U.S. Administration on Community Living on planning the Aging and Disability Symposium within the AIRS Conference. The Symposium includes a pre-conference I&R/A Summit for aging and disability professionals, a full complement of workshops, panel discussions, an Aging and Disability luncheon, and lively conversation throughout the week. NCIL will also present during the Aging and Disability Summit (Sunday, June 1) and the National Aging and Disability Policy Updates (Monday, June 2, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.). Early bird registration for the AIRS Conference ends on Friday, April 18.
Click here for more information on the Aging and Disability Symposium.
Click here to register for the AIRS Conference and the Aging and Disability Summit (same form).
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Webinar: Introduction to LGBT Aging
Please join the National I&R Support Center for an interactive webinar on Thursday, May 15, 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET., addressing the culture and needs of LGBT older adults. Presenter Tim R. Johnston, PhD, Manager of Education and Training for the National Resource Center on LGBT Aging, will review LGBT history, the unique vulnerabilities and needs of LGBT older adults, and best practices for making aging network services providers welcoming to LGBT older adults.
The National Resource Center on LGBT Aging is the country's first and only technical assistance resource center aimed at improving the quality of services and supports offered to lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender older adults. Established in 2010 through a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the National Resource Center on LGBT Aging provides training, technical assistance and educational resources to aging providers, LGBT organizations and LGBT older adults.
Click here to join the visual component of the webinar.
To join the audio component of the webinar, call 888-346-3659, passcode: 382574
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Aging Network Volunteer Collaborative
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New Volunteer Recruitment Tools Including a Radio Spot
The Aging Network Volunteer Collaborative recently announced the "Got an Hour? Give it Back" Campaign to encourage community members to volunteer within the aging network.
The Campaign's website, GiveitBacktoSeniors.org, includes a search tool for individuals to find local volunteer opportunities with seniors in their neighborhoods. The search tool works in connection with the website VolunteerMatch.org.
In addition, the site offers materials that agencies can use to advertise the campaign. Among these materials include a series of customizable postcards, which agencies can use to fill in their programs and include their organization's logo. These are available to download or order hard copies for free.
The Got an Hour? Campaign has recently added a radio ad that can be downloaded and shared with networks, local radio stations, or included on local organization's websites. The radio ad hopes to bring new prospective volunteers to the giveitbacktoseniors.org website to search for volunteer opportunities.
There site also offers a sample press release and letter to an elected official that agencies can use to get the word out about the campaign and to drive new volunteers for Older Americans Month.
Click here to view these materials and download the radio ad.
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Administration for Community Living
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Medical Loss Ratio Tip Sheet
The Administration for Community Living has developed the Medical Loss Ratio Tip Sheet to help community-based organizations understand Affordable Care Act (ACA) requirements for managed care organizations. The ACA requires all health insurance plans to submit data on the proportion of premium revenues spent on clinical services and quality improvement programs, also known as the Medical Loss Ratio. The ACA also sets a minimum standard for all insurance plans. Understanding these ratios can help community-based organizations negotiate contracts with managed care organizations.
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Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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State Medicaid Directors Letter: Family Planning and Family Planning Related Services Clarification
On April 16, 2014, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a guidance letter to states providing clarification regarding the coverage of family planning-related services. These services are provided to individuals eligible under the optional categorically needy state plan group created by section 2303 of the Affordable Care Act. Individuals who would qualify under this new family planning eligibility group, if the state elects to offer it, are defined as individuals (men and women) who are not pregnant, and whose income does not exceed the income eligibility level established by the state plan. The state option was effective March 23, 2010.
Click here to view the guidance letter.
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Federal Communications Commission
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FCC Workshop for Older Americans Month - Stay Safe, Stay Healthy, Stay Connected
In recognition of Older Americans Month, the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau will host a workshop on Thursday, May 22, 2014, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET in Washington, D.C. The workshop will provide information on online safety, communicating during emergencies, and how broadband and other technologies can be used to facilitate aging in place and telehealth. The workshop is free and open to the public and will include technology demonstrations. An agenda, with a list of presenters, will be released at a later date. In addition, a free webcast of the live event, with open captioning over the Internet, will be available.
Click here to view the webcast of the live event.
Click here to learn more about the workshop.
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Social Security Administration
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Social Security's Vision for 2025
The Social Security Administration (SSA) is developing their Vision for 2025 as an interactive endeavor that will enable SSA to continue to deliver top customer service to the public for the next 10 to 15 years. While SSA has extensive research and experience in public service, they are constantly seeking ways to enhance their service to the public and rely on the active involvement of others, including concerned organizations, to provide input and give fresh perspectives. Between April 15 and May 2, SSA invites the public to share creative ideas and suggestions about all of the programs Social Security administers and supports.
Click here to submit thoughts, share ideas, discuss and vote on other ideas.
Click here to view the Fiscal Year 2014-18 Agency Strategic Plan.
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Center for Health Care Strategies
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Webinar: Seizing the Opportunity: Early Medicaid Health Home Lessons
The Center for Health Care Strategies is holding a webinar on
April 24, 2014, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET. The webinar will cover elements critical to the implementation and sustainability of health homes. It will feature on-the-ground perspectives from two early adopter health home states: Missouri and New York. This webinar can inform other states looking to develop health home programs. The agenda includes:
- Introduction
- Overview of Lessons from Early Adopters
- Frontline Perspectives on Health Homes
- Moderated Q&A / Discussion
Click here to register in advance for the webinar.
Click here to view the brief on the topic of Medicaid Health Homes.
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Employer Assistance and Resource Network
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EARN Hosts Webinar on Small Businesses Employing People with Disabilities
The Employer Assistance and Resource Network (EARN) is holding a webinar entitled "Opening the Doors of Small Business to People with Disabilities: Keeping the Doors Wide Open"that will help small businesses learn about employing people with disabilities. The webinar will be held on April 22, 2014, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET. Topics include creating a workplace where employees with and without disabilities excel; strategies for on-boarding and providing reasonable accommodations; employee resource groups and mentoring; and best practices and successful initiatives that fit a small business budget.
Click here to register for the webinar.
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Webinar on the Workforce Development System
The LEAD Center is holding a webinar on disability workforce development titled "Section 503: Connecting Job Seekers with Disabilities and Federal Contractors through the Workforce Development System" on April 23, 2014, 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET. This webinar will address how American Job Centers and the workforce development system can work with federal contractors to use the new Section 503 final rule to promote employment opportunities and outcomes for people with disabilities. Section 503 prohibits federal contractors and subcontractors from discriminating in employment against individuals with disabilities (IWDs), and requires these employers to take affirmative action to recruit, hire, promote, and retain these individuals.
Click here for more information and to register.
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National Council on Aging
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Promote Falls Prevention during Older Americans Month
During Older Americans Month in May, the National Council on Aging (NCOA) will focus on falls prevention as part of the month's theme Safe Today. Healthy Tomorrow. NCOA has released resources for older adults and professionals to use and share throughout Older Americans Month. In addition, NCOA urges the public to email their lawmakers about increased funding for elder falls prevention.
Click here to view NCOA's resources.
Click here to send an email to your Congressperson to increase funding to fall prevention.
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Webinar: Savvy Saving Seniors: Steps to Avoiding Scams and Fraud
The National Council on Aging in affiliation with IlluminAge is holding a webinar about financial scams and seniors on April 24, 2014, 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. ET. In this webinar, participants will learn about common scams and fraud targeting older adults and resources to help consumers protect themselves.
This webinar will help participants:
- Learn about common scams and fraud targeting older adults of all incomes
- Gain familiarity with resources to help protect consumers from scams and fraud
- Find out more about Savvy Saving Seniors®, a financial education toolkit providing an overview of popular scams targeting seniors, tips for avoiding them, and next steps for victims of financial fraud
Click here to register for the webinar.
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| National Resource Center on Nutrition and Aging |
Free Webinar on Prioritizing and Targeting Nutrition Services
The National Resource Center on Nutrition and Aging is holding a free webinar on prioritizing and targeting nutrition services on April 22, 2014, 3:00 p.m. ET. This discussion webinar for State Unit on Aging (SUA) Dietitians and Nutrition Program Administrators will feature four states and how they address these issues. The results of information gathered from the states on prioritizing and targeting will also be shared. After registering, participants will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Click here to register for the webinar.
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Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders
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Enriching Lives through Storytelling
Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE) in affiliation with the AARP Foundation conducted a nationwide storytelling workshop with LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) older people nation on how they have found social support and reduced isolation. In states like North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon and New York, the SAGE Story workshop program gathered participants to develop storytelling skills while connecting with friends and neighbors. During LGBT History Month 2013, SAGE's national storytelling contest yielded powerful reminders that LGBT older people embody a hard-earned resilience that helps them manage the challenges of aging.
Click here to watch, and read the stories.
Click here to share a story through SAGE Story.
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2014 Princeton Conference on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia
The National Task Group (NTG) on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia Practices is holding a national conference, as part of the annual conference of the American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry from June 16-18, 2014 in Princeton, New Jersey. The conference is designed to inform on current practices and set the tone for events and activities to come, related to the aims of the National Plan to Address Alzheimer's Disease and the NTG's Action Plan. The conference will involve key federal and national organization officials in plenary sessions, as well as be composed of individual presentations within several tracks. The conference will also be the site for the launch of the NTG's forthcoming national training and education curriculum on intellectual disabilities and dementia and the launch of CARF's (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) new standards for programs serving people with intellectual disabilities and dementia. Several training workshops will be held on June 16 relative to these launches.
Click here for more information, to submit a poster, and to register.
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Alzheimer's Initiatives Training Program
The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) is holding two no-cost training opportunities. Responding to Alzheimer's Disease: Techniques for Law Enforcement will be held on May 14, 2014 in Greenville, South Carolina and First Responders. Responding to Alzheimer's Disease: Techniques for Law Enforcement will be held on May 21, 2014 in Burns, Oregon. The trainings are appropriate for law enforcement, first responders and mental health professionals that work directly with first responders.
Alzheimer's Initiatives training sessions are:
- One day in length (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
- No cost to participants and will include resource handouts
- Interactive and engaging
- Inclusive of participants from rural and urban agencies
- Taught by experienced instructors
- Opportunities for networking and information sharing
Click here to register for the South Carolina training.
Click here to register for the Oregon training.
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Two Elderly Women Fly for the First Time
With Vodafone's help, Dutch grandmothers An and Ria took a leap of faith and boarded their first flight! Vodafone is a telecommunications company that celebrates people doing amazing things for the first time. Watch the video here.
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