January 23, 2015
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From NASUAD  
NCI-AD Pilot Report Released
The National Association of States United for Aging and Disabilities (NASUAD) and the Human Services Research Institute (HSRI) are excited to share the final report from the 2014 pilot of the National Core Indicators-Aging and Disabilities (NCI-AD) Consumer Survey in Georgia, Minnesota, and Ohio. The results are sorted by state and funding source within the state. Since the goal of the pilot was not to compare these states, but instead to test and refine the NCI-AD Consumer Survey, the three states are not identified in the report; they are simply referred to as State 1, State 2, and State 3.  

In December 2014, the NCI-AD project team reviewed the data and feedback they received from the interviewers in the pilot states and used this information to revise the NCI-AD Consumer Survey. Currently, the project team is conducting a small sample in-home testing of the Survey working with the Georgia Division of Aging Services and the Delmarva Foundation. The Survey is expected to be finalized in March 2015. Data collection for the first year NCI-AD will begin June 1, 2015.  

Questions about the NCI-AD project and pilot report can be directed to Kelsey Walter, NCI-AD Project Director at NASUAD.

Click here to view the full report.  
HCBS Conference Opens Call for Sessions
The National Association of States United for Aging and Disabilities (NASUAD) has announced the Call for Sessions for the 2015 National Home and Community Based Services Conference (HCBS), August 31-September 3, 2015, in Washington, DC. The conference offers a unique blend of policy, program and practice issues for professionals interested in home and community based services for individuals of all abilities and in all settings.Proposals are currently being accepted for one hour workshops.

The HCBS Conference is quickly becoming the "go-to" conference for learning in the expanding field of home and community based services. Don't miss the opportunity to be a part of this important conference.
 

Presenting provides  an unparalleled opportunity to share new ideas or highlight noteworthy projects, research, and practices with your peers and other professionals.

The Call for Sessions for the 2015 HCBS Conference will be open until March 20th
 
Click here to learn more and submit your session. 
Webinar Presentation Available on Virginia's No Wrong Door System
On Wednesday, January 21, the National I&R Support Center hosted a webinar on the No Wrong Door system in Virginia for serving older adults and individuals with disabilities. The development of this particular system reflects a unique public-private partnership approach to providing older adults and persons with disabilities with comprehensive information and streamlined access to available long-term supports through collaborative partnerships and shared technology. This webinar highlighted No Wrong Door system developments in Virginia, including the Communication, Referral, Information and Assistance (CRIA) system.

The webinar featured Erika Yssel, No Wrong Door Expansion Specialist with the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services.

Click here to access the PowerPoint presentation and audio recording of the conference call.
*The NASUAD office will be updating our server from Friday, January 30 at 5 p.m. ET until Monday, February 2. NASUAD staff will not have access to phones or email during that time.
From the Administration
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Opportunity for Feedback on Draft Summary of Benefits and Coverage 
Under the Affordable Care Act, all health plans and issuers are required to provide consumers with a standardized, brief summary of what a health insurance policy or employer plan covers, known as a Summary of Benefits and Coverage. This information allows consumers to make direct comparisons when shopping for health insurance coverage and to have a clear summary of what their insurance covers.

The Draft Summary of Benefits and Coverage was recently published in the Federal Register. CMS welcomes feedback on what information should be displayed about health insurance policies and employer plans and in what form such information should be presented. If finalized, the new requirements would be implemented for plan years on or after September 1, 2015. Comments are due by March 2, 2015.

Click here to view the proposed rules and guidance on how to submit your comments.
Help with Health Coverage Effects on 2014 Income Taxes  
This spring many Americans may need to provide additional information when filing their 2014 federal income tax returns. A new site from CMS, https://www.healthcare.gov/taxes/, can help guide consumers through the process. The site provides information and tools to assist consumers who had 2014 health coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace, through another source, or had no coverage at all.

 Click here to access the website.
Department of Labor
DOL Appeals FLSA Rulings  
On Thursday, January 22, the Department of Labor (DOL) filed an appeal against the recent rulings that vacated the agency's Fair Labor Standards Act regulation. Previously, in two separate opinions, U.S. District Court Judge Richard Leon vacated the FLSA rule, citing an improper process and lack of statutory authority for the changes. DOL previously issued statements indicating strong disagreement with the rulings and has now formally appealed the case to the U.S. Court of Appeals. At this time, no schedule has been set for resolution of the lawsuit.

To access DOL's continued updates on the litigation, click here.
From the Supreme Court 

Supreme Court Hears Arguments on Medicaid Reimbursement Case  

On Tuesday, January 20, the Supreme Court heard arguments in a case that challenges whether health care providers have legal standing to sue States over low Medicaid reimbursement rates. The Court is being asked to decide whether the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution, which has federal law take precedence over state law, allows private entities to sue Medicaid in instances where Congress did not explicitly create enforceable rights in the statute. This case arose from a challenge to Medicaid reimbursements in Idaho; however, the Supreme Court heard a similar issue from California several years ago. In the California instance, the Court did not issue a ruling on the standing issue due to some changes in the state program, but four Justices wrote a dissent arguing that providers did not have legal standing. The court is expected to rule by the end of the current term, which runs through June. 

Click here for a detailed summary of the issues.

From Other Organizations
AARP Public Policy Institute
New Report on Medicaid Expansion Released

Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), low-income adults covered under Medicaid expansion are no longer allowed to continue that coverage once they are eligible for Medicare. As a result, individuals will face higher cost-sharing requirements as they transition from Medicaid to Medicare. The new report, Transitioning from Medicaid Expansion Programs to Medicare: Making Sure Low-Income Medicare Beneficiaries Get Financial Help, describes programs and policy options that could help low-income beneficiaries.

 

Click here to access the full report. 

Report on Specialized Transportation under ACA Published

A new report, Expanding Specialized Transportation: New Opportunities under the Affordable Care Act, describes opportunities to expand transportation services for older people and adults with disabilities. The report highlights two case studies, the Atlanta region and the state of Connecticut, to showcase how states can provide or fund more transportation services to low-income populations with mobility needs.  

 

 Click here to access the full report. 

AcademyHealth
Call for Abstracts for State Health Research and Policy Interest Group

The State Health Research and Policy Interest Group Meeting, taking place on June 13 in Minneapolis, seeks abstracts from researchers, policymakers, and practitioners eager to share recent state-level research and policy developments regarding coverage and access, the challenges of financing and payment reform, and the organization and delivery of care.

Research and policy papers of particular interest include those that address: 1) coverage/access, 2) payment reform/incentive realignment, or 3) delivery system transformation/quality improvement. Abstracts that demonstrate novel approaches to addressing state policy research needs, effective strategies for collaborating with state agencies and policy decision makers, and promising strategies for translating research to policy are also sought. The Interest Group welcomes abstracts that communicate successful strategies, as well as those which critically analyze sub-optimal approaches but offer useful lessons and highlight opportunities for improvement.

The State Health Research and Policy Interest Group accepts abstract submissions for both individual presentations and research panels. Submissions must be received by 5:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 29, 2015, to be considered. Abstracts not selected for oral presentation will be considered for poster presentation.

Click here for additional details.

Alliance of Information and Referral Systems
AIRS Releases 2015 Conference Call for Proposals

The Alliance of Information and Referral Systems (AIRS) has released the call for proposals for the 2015 Annual Information and Referral (I&R) Training and Education Conference. Next year's conference is being held in Dallas, Texas with pre-conference intensives on May 27 and the regular conference May 28-30

 

AIRS is seeking workshops addressing the breadth of I&R service delivery. The Aging and Disability track provides a valuable opportunity to share developments and effective practices in serving older adults and persons with disabilities with I&R colleagues across the country. This track is coordinated by NASUAD's I&R Support Center, which strongly encourages aging and disability I&R agencies to review the call for proposals and consider a submission. Past topics are listed on the AIRS site here, and the current call for proposals is available here. For ideas on workshop topics, please see these suggestions from conference attendees. Additionally, topics such as elder justice, mental health, aging with a disability, developments in home and community-based services, cross-sector partnerships and collaboration, no wrong door system building, ADRC funding and sustainability, business acumen, and data collection and quality assurance are topics of interest in aging and disability I&R. 

  

The deadline for proposal submissions is February 10, 2015. Send submissions for the Aging and Disability track to Nanette Relave at [email protected].

National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care 
Webinar: Strategizing and Crafting an Effective Advocacy Message
Consumer Voice will be hosting a four-part webinar series on advocacy skills. The first webinar of the series is scheduled for Thursday, February 12, 2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m. ET and will cover how to develop a strategy around an issue and choose key points tailored to an audience to create an effective advocacy message. The subsequent three webinars of the series will take place in April, June, and August.

Click here for details and to register.
National Council on Aging 
RFP: Senior SNAP Enrollment Initiative
NCOA has released a Request for Proposals for its initiative to help seniors enroll in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Through its Senior SNAP Enrollment Initiative, NCOA will award $1,150,000 to community-based organizations and agencies to assist low-income older adults in applying for and enrolling in SNAP and other benefits.

NCOA seeks proposals for two categories of grants: A) Underserved Senior SNAP Access Grant ($25,000) and B) SNAP Enrollment Center Grant ($50,000). An online application for proposal submission will be made available on February 2. Letters of Intent to Apply are due February 13, and applications are due March 6. NCOA will host two optional webinars, January 27 and February 5, on the RFP process. 


Click here for additional details on the grants.
Click here to access the RFP.
LGBT Aging Photo Contest
NCOA's National Institute of Senior Centers and SAGE's National Resource Center on LGBT Aging are looking for photos that exemplify what it is to be an aging lesbian, gay, bisexual, and/or transgender person. Photos will be judged on how well they capture the beauty, fun, and diversity of LGBT aging. The grand prize winner will receive a $200 Amazon gift card and have his/her photo published online along with a featured story. Submissions are due by March 13.

Click here to view the contest guidelines and details.

Webinar: Benefits University
NCOA's Center for Benefits Access will host a webinar addressing terminology of benefits applications. The webinar, Benefits University: Understanding the "Terms of Art" of Applications, will take place on Wednesday, January 28, 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET. The webinar is primarily intended for new counselors, but anyone is welcome to participate.

Click here to view details and register.

National Disability Navigator Resource Collaborative 
New Population-Specific and Topical Fact Sheets
The NDNRC has released new fact sheets in its series of new population-specific fact sheets designed to provide navigators and other enrollment specialists with information they need to help these specific populations within the disability community. "What to Know When Assisting a Consumer who has a Child or Youth with Special Health Care Needs" joins fact sheets highlighting veterans, consumers with mental illness, and other populations. The NDNRC also publishes a series of topical fact sheets. The latest, "Tips for ACA Enrollees: From Coverage to Care - Persons with Disabilities" aims to help navigators assist consumers in using their new insurance coverage.
 
Click here to view a complete list of published and soon-to-be released fact sheets.
National Legal Resource Center  
Webinar: Involuntary Transfer and Discharge from Nursing Homes: Prevention, Advocacy, and Appeals
Continuing with the National Elder Rights Training Project Webinar Series, the National Consumer Law Center will host Involuntary Transfer and Discharge from Nursing Homes: Prevention, Advocacy, and Appeals on Wednesday, February 11, 2015, 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. ET. This webinar will discuss strategies and best practices for preventing and advocating for residents facing involuntary discharge from a nursing home. The agenda includes a review of best practices for supporting residents and families, identifying legal support, and appealing discharge notices.

 Click here to view details on the webinar.
Oral Health America
Webinar: Building Partnerships to Promote Oral Health for Older Adults
On Tuesday, February 10 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. ET, Oral Health America (OHA) is hosting an informative webinar on its state partnership opportunities with the older adult program, the Wisdom Tooth Project�. Through the partnership, aging organizations and oral health coalitions can help improve access to resources for older adults. The goal of the webinar is to expand the network of state oral health coalitions and aging organizations working in collaboration.
 
Participants will learn more about OHA and how to get involved with the Wisdom Tooth Project. Also, Matthew Bond, Manager of Grants and Programs of the DentaQuest Foundation, will present on Oral Health 2020.

Click here to view details on the webinar.
Events
2015 Aging in America Conference
Aging in America, the annual conference of the American Society on Aging, will take place in Chicago March 23-27 and will offer five days of intensive learning, networking, and community-building. Aging in America is the nation's largest multidisciplinary conference for professionals who work with older adults, including aging service providers, policymakers, social workers, senior center professionals, healthcare providers, caregivers, and anyone with a passion for improving the lives of older adults.  
 
Conference attendees, exhibitors, and presenters will:
  • Learn about new and innovative ideas that will help you in your work with older adults;
  • Discover practical solutions to the challenges you face on a day-to-day basis;
  • Connect with peers and leaders who will transform the way you think about aging;
  • Reach a community of professionals who collectively influence the lives of hundreds of thousands of older people through their everyday work.
 
NASUAD members can save 10% on registration fees by using the discount code NASUAD10. Register by January 31, and save an additional $50. Click here to register.
Just for Fun
Middle School with a Disability
Melissa Shang wants to read about girls like her, girls with a disability. When American Girl failed to respond to the 11-year old advocate's petition, Melissa and her sister Eva decided to take on the challenge themselves. The sisters have started a Kickstarter campaign to raise money so Melissa can publish her own chapter book about a girl with muscular dystrophy who loves to sing.

Click here to read more about Melissa and her book.
Click here to access Melissa's Kickstarter page, which includes a video of Melissa and Eva's TED talk from last November.
Job Postings
Public Policy Intern at NASUAD

The National Association of States United for Aging and Disabilities (NASUAD), membership organization of the agencies in state government that manage programs for older people and adults with physical disabilities, seeks a public policy intern. The paid position is for 10-15 hours per week.

Responsibilities include analyzing aging and disability data, developing and/or maintaining databases, assisting with project management, and conducting legislative and policy research.

Candidacy for a Master's Degree in Public Policy, Public Administration or Public Health is required. Hours are flexible to accommodate classes.

NASUAD is committed to providing equal opportunities for all applicants for employment. To apply, please send a resume and cover letter to [email protected].

 

Click here to view the full job description.

Summer Internship Program at AAPD

The AAPD Summer Internship Program provides the opportunity to gain hands-on professional experience to help advance your career goals. AAPD places students and recent graduates with all types of disabilities in paid 10-week summer internships in Congressional offices, federal agencies, nonprofit and for-profit organizations. At the beginning of the summer, interns participate in a 1-week orientation session to learn about AAPD as well as the disability rights movement, meet the other interns, and participate in a variety of engaging workshops and events. Interns will receive a stipend, mentor matching, and additional resources during the summer. Candidates interested in careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and veterans with disabilities are highly encouraged to apply.

 

Any college student (degree and non-degree seeking), graduate student, law student, recent graduate (within one year) and veteran who self-identifies as an individual with any type of disability is invited to apply. Applicants will not be required to disclose a specific disability; however, the application for this program will signify that the applicant considers him/herself a person with a disability.  

 

Internship program details are available here. Applications should be emailed to [email protected]. Applications are due by Friday, February 6 at 5:00 p.m. ET

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