 NASUAD at the White House Conference on Aging This past Monday, July 13, 2015, Executive Director, Martha Roherty, and six NASUAD members attended the White House Conference on Aging. The conference featured remarks by President Barak Obama, panels with distinguished speakers, and the introduction of new initiatives for older adults and people with disabilities.
Click here to view the news article. Click here to view a twitter recap of the conference. |
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Celebrate OAA's 50th Anniversary; Senate Passes Reauthorization
The 50th anniversary of the Older Americans Act (OAA) occurred this past Tuesday, July 14, 2015. The OAA authorization expired in 2011, and its services have been maintained by way of the annual appropriations process. NASUAD wrote to Senators Mitch McConnell and Harry Reid and urged the Senate leaders to pass the Older Americans Act Reauthorization (S. 192). The reauthorization passed the senate yesterday, July 16, 2015, and will now move onto the House of Representatives. NASUAD strongly encourages House members to pass the legislation and fund the key investments necessary to support older Americans.
Click here to view the NASUAD Statement.
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The HCBS Conference- Tools for Life Technology Track- Register Today!
Join us for the National Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Conference held in Washington, DC, August 31-September 3.
This year we have a track focused on technology and innovation to help older adults and persons with disabilities become more independent and involved in their communities. The Tools for Life Technology Track will have a workshop at every time slot throughout the conference that highlights the work organizations have done to expand and improve services and to increase quality of life.
These sessions include a variety of lessons including discussions on tablets and apps that help with accessibility, using technology to gather data and assist with delivering services, and how technology can help with self-directed services.
The Tools for Life Technology Track will also offer open lab demonstrations, allowing HCBS Conference attendees to test out tablet apps and even see robots that can help seniors and people with disabilities in their homes!
Click here to learn more about the conference and register!
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NASUAD Alumni Group Forming
In response to requests from past members of NASUAD, the board has agreed to form a NASUAD alumni group. The group will provide alumni with an opportunity to network and attend educational conferences such as the annual HCBS conference sponsored by NASUAD.
Your help is requested. Brian Duke, former Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Aging has agreed to serve as the volunteer NASUAD alumni coordinator. Please contact him if you have contact information for alumni.
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HCBS Clearinghouse E-Clips
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This section of Friday Update highlights reports that have been added to the HCBS Clearinghouse within the past week. Visit www.nasuad.org/hcbs for more information.
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Medicaid Expenditures for Long Term Service & Supports in 2013
CMS and Mathematica Policy Research released a report conducted by Truven Health Analytics on Medicaid expenditures for long term services and supports (LTSS). Fiscal Year 2013 was the first time that home and community based services (HCBS) have composed a majority, or 51.3%, of Medicaid LTSS expenditures. This change reflects the concerted effort to move away from institutional services and instead increase spending on HCBS. One finding attributed the growth in LTSS to the increase of managed care organizations. This report provides a break down of spending trends specific to each state as well as federal spending.
Click here to view the full report.
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Case for Inclusion 2015 Report
United Cerebral Palsy released the 2015 version of their annual Case for Inclusion report. This report examines data and outcomes to track community living standards for Americans living with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD) in each state and the District of Columbia. The findings from this report can inform policymakers and advocates on improvements and changes to ensure the best quality of life for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The findings from this report can inform policymakers and advocates on improvements and changes to ensure the best quality of life for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
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Valuing the Invaluable: A Report on Family Caregiving
The AARP Public Policy Institute's new publication, Valuing the Invaluable: 2015 Update, Undeniable Progress but Big Gaps Remain, reports that family caregivers in the U.S. provided 37 billion hours- worth an estimated $470 billion -to their parents, spouses, partners, and other adult loved ones in 2013. The report updates the national and state estimates of the economic value of family caregiving using the most current data available. It also explains the challenges that family caregivers face today, highlights key policy developments for family caregivers, and provides recommendations to better support caregiving families.
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Administration for Community Living
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Older Americans Act Infographics
This past Tuesday, July 14, 2015, marked the 50th anniversary of the enactment of the Older Americans Act (OAA). The Administration for Community Living has created a series of infographics to recognize the impact of the OAA on the aging network it serves. ACL encourages everyone to share the infographics on Facebook and Twitter.
Click here to view the infographics.
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American Samoa & Guam CIL Competition Grant
The Administration for Community Living is providing a funding opportunity to create Centers for Independent Living (CILs) in American Samoa and Guam. CILs provide services to assist individuals with disabilities to achieve their maximum potential within their families and communities. Applicants must be able to demonstrate compliance with standards and assurance as outlined in section 725 of part C of Title VII of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The grant award is between $95,096 and $154,056. Required letters of intent are due by July 21, 2015, and applications are due by August 17, 2015.
Click here to view the grant application information.
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Statewide Independent Living Council Training and TAC Grant
The Administration for Community Living is seeking applicants for a two-year cooperative agreement to operate a Statewide Independent Living Council Training & Technical Assistance Center. The grant award is up to $400,000 in fiscal year 2015 and $250,000 in fiscal year 2016. Applications are due by August 17, 2015.
Click here to view the grant application information.
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| Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services |
Proposed Revisions to Requirement for Long Term Care Facilities to Participate in Medicare & Medicaid
On Monday, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released a proposed rule to revise the quality and safety requirements for long term care facilities participating in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. The proposal would be the first rule update since 1991. The rule aims to improve care planning, ensure staff have the right skills and competencies to provide patient-centered care, and allow dietitians and therapy providers to write orders in their areas of expertise when a physician delegates the responsibility and state licensing laws allow. Additionally, the rule would add several new sections to the regulations, including person-centered care planning, behavioral health services, quality assurance and performance improvement, training, and more. Provisions covering infection prevention and control standards, visitation requirements, and an expansion of food choice for residents are also part of the rule. The proposed rule has been published in the Federal Register with a 60-day comment period. All comments must be received by 5 p.m. ET on September 14, 2015.
Click here to view the proposed rule.
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Medicare and Medicaid 50th Anniversary Celebration
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is hosting an event to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid on Wednesday, July 29, 2015, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET. The event will be held at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in Washington, D.C. The keynote speaker will be Sylvia Mathews Burwell, the Secretary of Health and Human Services. There will also be a panel of distinguished speakers that will speak about how Medicare and Medicaid have impacted society and the changes we can make to strengthen and improve health care in the future.
Click here to confirm your attendance.
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The Next 25 Years of the ADA Event
The United States Secretary of Labor, Honorable Thomas E. Perez, is hosting an event to commemorate 25 years of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The event is Tuesday, July 21, 2015, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. ET and will be held at the U.S. Department of Labor in Washington, DC. This event features a discussion about how to improve employment outcomes for people with disabilities with former Senator Tom Harkin and Governor Jack Markell of Delaware.
Click here to register for the event.
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Regulations Published for Implementation of ABLE Act
The Internal Revenue Service published proposed regulations concerning the implementation of the Stephen Beck, Jr., Achieving a Better Life Experience Act (ABLE Act) of 2014. The proposed regulations are titled Guidance Under Section 529A: Qualified ABLE Programs and were published on June 22, 2015. The regulations address an explanation of provisions, the qualifications of an ABLE program, the standard for disability determination, limits on contributions to the account, and various other issues. Public comments are due by September 21, 2015. A public hearing to address these regulations is scheduled for October 14, 2015.
Click here for the full version of the regulations.
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| United States Department of Agriculture |
SNAP and Delivery Services Proposal
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) released a proposed rule at the White House Conference on Aging. This rule would modify regulations regarding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to allow certain entities to provide home delivered groceries for seniors and people with disabilities. The proposal would apply to households where the head of household is age 60 or older or has a disability. This rule is intended to expand service accessibility and increase the availability of SNAP benefits to individuals who experience difficulties leaving their homes. The proposed rule has been published in the Federal Register with a 60-day comment period. All comments must be received by 5 p.m. ET on September 14, 2015.
Click here to view the full proposal.
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| White House Conference on Aging |
Highlights from the Conference
The White House Conference on Aging took place this past Monday, July 13, 2015. The conference included remarks by President Barak Obama, the introduction of several new initiatives from his administration, and distinguished panelists speaking on critical issues. For example, a panel on intergenerational connections and healthy aging and a discussion on elder justice offered interesting perspectives for the nation to consider. Additionally, the Department of Health and Human Services released two new websites on aging and long term care to make accessing services easier for consumers. There were over 600 watch parties throughout the United States, with thousands of viewers sharing highlights, thoughts, questions and opinions via social media outlets.
Click here to view highlights from the conference.
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Senate Passage of the Older Americans Act Reauthorization
On Thursday, July 16, 2015, the United States Senate passed S.192, the Reuthorization of the Older Americans Act, by unanimous consent. The bill funds critical services and supports for our nation's seniors. The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) committee reported the bill without amendment this past February. S.192 will now move to the House of Representatives for consideration.
Click here to view more information about the act.
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Request for Government Accountability Office Assessment
On Wednesday, July 8, 2015, Senator Elizabeth Warren, Senate Aging Committee Chair Susan Collins, Senate Aging Committee Ranking Member Claire McCaskill, and Senate Finance Committee Chair Orrin Hatch wrote a joint letter to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) regarding state oversight of Assisted Living facilities. The Senators were seeking additional information concerning the number of Medicaid enrollees in these facilities, the amount of state spending, eligibility requirements, and what oversight mechanisms are currently in place at the federal and state levels for Medicaid enrollees at these facilities.
Click here to view the letter.
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Webinar Recap: Care Coordination
The AARP Public Policy Long Term Care Update Webinar, including the PowerPoint presentation, audio recording, report, and brief are posted on the AARP website. This webinar featured Susan Reinhard from AARP Public Policy Institute, Brian Burwell, and Paul Saucier, both from Truven Health Analytics.
Click here to view the full report.
Click here to access the webinar resources.
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National Alzheimer's and Dementia Resource Center
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Technical Assistance Webinar
The National Alzheimer's and Dementia Resource Center is holding a Technical Assistance (TA) webinar on Thursday, July 30, 2015, from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m ET. The webinar will provide information about prevalence and characteristics of people with dementia who live alone, signs of self-neglect and intervention strategies, and the experiences of people with dementia who live alone. The presenters will be Dr. Phyllis "Penny" Braudy Harris, Ph.D, ACSW, LISW, Professor and Chair of the Sociology and Criminology Department, and Director of Aging Studies at the John Carroll University and Dr. Michael Lepore, Ph.D, Senior Health Policy & Health Services Researcher at RTI International and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Health Services, Policy, and Practice at Brown University.
Click here to view details and register.
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| National Disability Institute |
Community Tyze: Secure Online Platform
The National Disability Institute, in collaboration with Saint Elizabeth, have created Community Tyze, a secure online platform for individuals with disabilities and older Americans to create their own personal support network. Community Tyze provides people with the tools to build support, increase communication, decrease isolation, and enhance coordination of services and supports. A study by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation found that the Tyze networks "reduce social isolation, increase family support, improve communcation between paid and unpaid caregivers and reduce healthcare expenditure."
Click here to learn more about the platform.
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25 Years of Disability Rights Festival
The Smithsonian Institution is hosting a festival to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The festival will occur July 24-26 from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET daily on the Mall-side terrace of the National Museum of American History. These three days will be full of panel discussion, exhibitors, and demonstrations to teach about the ADA and its impact on Americans with disabilities. The events will feature music, dance, storytelling, technology demonstrations, and workshops.
Click here to view more details about the festival events.
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2015 Annual Conference on Independent Living
The National Council on Independent Living's Annual conference will be held in Washington, DC, July 27-30, 2015. This year will specifically focus on the Americans with Disabilities Act Generation, or the generation of youth advocates with disabilities, and celebrate the 25th anniversary of the ADA. There will be several different workshop tracks with focuses like Statewide Independent Living Councils, youth, Independent Living Administration, and orientation for new attendees.
Click here to view conference details.
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Job & Internship Postings
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Vice President of Livable Communities and Long Term Services & Supports
AARP is seeking applicants for the position of Vice President of Livable Communities and Long Term Services and Supports. The Vice President will be responsible for overseeing policy analysis, directing the activities of staff, and leading and advancing innovation Enterprise-priority partnerships. Qualified applicants will have a minimum of a Master's degree in a related discipline, five years of strong management experience, and an advanced degree. The application period will close on Friday, July 31, 2015.
Click here to view the full posting.
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