July 31, 2015
In This Issue
nasuadiq
Check out NASUAD iQ!

Like NASUAD on Facebook

Follow NASUAD on LinkedIn

Follow NASUAD on Twitter
From NASUAD  
The HCBS Conference- Early Bird Discount Ends Today, July 31Register Today and Save $100!

Join us for the National Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Conference held in Washington, DC, August 31-September 3. Our featured plenary session, sponsored by Cigna Healthspring, will feature Josh Linkner, speaking on his book, The Road to Reinvention: How to Drive Disruption and Accelerate Transformation in Home and Community Based Services.

 

All businesses and organizations, including state and federal governments, are in the midst of unprecedented change. With shifts in technology, the global economy, and team dynamics, hugging the status quo is a surefire path to mediocrity. To thrive and remain competitive, businesses and organizations must harness fresh approaches to all aspects of their work. 

 

As a four-time successful tech entrepreneur and investor in dozens of startups, Josh Linkner has seen thousands of organizations loaded with creative buzz and big ideas. How is it that some harness their imagination to create game-changing drivers of growth and innovation while others miss the mark? The answer? The best-of-the-best have a systematic process to focus their team's creativity into practical outputs-something Linkner discovered by founding and building companies that sold collectively for over $200 million. 

 

His inspiring presentation will deliver practical tools that can be used immediately to increase creative output and deliver bottom-line results. 

 

The Early Bird Discount ends July 31, 2015, so register today! 


Click here
to learn more about the conference and register! 

NASUAD Comments on Proposed CMS Regulation on Medicaid Managed Care

NASUAD submitted comments on CMS' notice of proposed rulemaking (2390-P) to revamp Federal requirements for Medicaid managed care programs. NASUAD's comments were centered around managed long term services and supports and how they are appropriately incorporated and addressed in a number of areas, including consumer protections, quality, state oversight and contract/payment requirements. We applaud CMS' efforts to broaden the scope and depth of the current regulations, and look forward to modifications in the final rule.


Click here
 to view the news update. 

HCBS Clearinghouse E-Clips
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.

National Council on Disability Annual Report

In honor of the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), this annual report from the National Council on Disability focuses on how the ADA and other federal legislation has been implemented by five different state and local agencies. Information is gathered from agencies in Nebraska, Minnesota, Massachusetts, New York, and Texas. The report examines employment, education, health care, transportation, and housing to demonstrate the importance of the federal legislation and disability advocates. The report also offers recommendations to inform policymakers on changes to be made in the future legislation. 
 

Click here to access the report and findings.  

From the Administration
Administration for Community Living
New Dementia and Brain Health Resources Available
Dementia is a pervasive disease that affects over 5 million people in the United States alone. Certain populations, like those with particular intellectual and developmental disabilities, are more likely to develop dementia as they get older. The Administration for Community Living (ACL) and its grantees have created new resources about brain health and dementia for the aging and disability fields. The resources include a web-based program on dementia from August 5, 2015 to September 30, 2015, an issue brief on dementia-capable communities, and pamphlets with information about wandering. 

Click here t
o view other resources. 
Informational Memorandum on Allotment Formulas
The Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AIDD) released an informational memorandum on the formula grants for the Fiscal Year 2016. Starting in the fall, AIDD will look to the public for comments on a new formula to use starting in Fiscal Year 2017. AIDD will respond to the comments and release a final formula by April 1, 2016.

Click here t
o view the memorandum. 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Prevalence of Disability and Disability Type Report
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report has released new data on the prevalence of disability and disability type, from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). The BRFSS is a state-based health survey that offers surveillance of disease. This report includes data by state and data by disability type that is based on functional categories. The main finding showed that "1 in 5 adults or over 53 million" Americans live with a disability

Click here to access the report and findings. 
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Medicaid and CHIP Eligibility and Enrollment Data
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services released the May 2015 version of their monthly report on Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) eligibility and enrollment data. The report is created through the Medicaid and CHIP Performance Indicator Project. Each state provides CMS with data on various indicators that relate to key application, eligibility, and enrollment processes within these programs. This data allows CMS to report to the public on the performance of state programs. One major finding showed that over 55 million Americans are covered by Medicare. 

Click here to access the report and findings. 
Informational Bulletin on Medicare Part D 
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services released an informational bulletin on Thursday, July 30, 2015. The bulletin provides information to the states to prepare for the annual redetermination of Medicare Part D low-income subsidy deemed status. 

Click here to view the bulletin.
CMS to Work with States on Two-Year Duals Demonstration Extensions
In a July 10, 2015, letter to states, the CMS Medicare-Medicaid Coordination Office offered an opportunity for states to extend their dual eligible financial alignment demonstrations by two years. The letter cites the need for more time to evaluate outcomes including improvements in quality and overall cost savings. Under the current schedule, the first major analyses will be published around one year before the demonstrations are scheduled to end. States are asked to submit a letter of intent to extend their demonstration by September 1, 2015.

 

Click here to view the letter.
Department of Labor
National Disability Awareness Month Poster
The Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) at the United States Department of Labor released the National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM ) poster. ODEP also released materials that can be used to help organizations to plan observances of the month. The 2015 NDEAM month is this October and marks the 70th anniversary of NDEAM. This years theme is "My Disability is One Part of Who I am." 

Click here to view the poster and materials. 
Federal Communications Commission
Recorded Webcast of Americans with Disabilities Act Event
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) hosted an event to commemorate the ADA and the 5th anniversary of the Twenty-first Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (CVAA) on July 23, 2015, in Washington, DC. This event featured remarks by FCC Chairman, Tom Wheeler, and the FCC's ADA Panel composed of consumers from different disability organizations. The FCC recorded the event for the public to view. 

Click here to view the recorded webcast. 
From Other Organizations
American Society on Aging 
Webinar: Long Term Care & Caregiving- The Prevalent Social Issues Facing All Generations

The American Society on Aging is hosting a free webinar on Long Term Care and Caregiving on Tuesday, August 4, 2015 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. ET. This is the final part of "Aging and Retirement: A Generational Perspective, a three part series of webinars that focus on long term care. This webinar, sponsored by Genworth, will center on the lack of seniors taking responsibility for their own care as they get older. The webinar is open to everyone and offers complimentary CEUs. 


Click here to view details and register.

Events
Financial Management Services Conference

The National Resource Center for Participant-Directed Services (NRCPDS) is excited to announce that registration for the 6th Financial Management Services (FMS) Conference from November 9-10, 2015 in Baltimore, MD is now open! Early registration is effective now- August 31, 2015. Additional information about registration, the preconference workshop on participant direction in managed care, and a schedule for the full conference are available here.


Are you interested in sponsoring the 2015 FMS Conference? There are various sponsorship levels available, as well as customized sponsorship opportunities. More 
information about sponsorship is available.


Click here
 to view the conference information. 

Jobs & Internships
Deputy Director of Community Based Services
The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services is seeking applicants for the position of Deputy Director for Community Based Services. The Deputy Director will be responsible for providing leadership and direction to teams responsible for statewide coordination, offering vision for community based services programs, and ensuring adherence to the delivery of quality programs. Qualified applicants will have a minimum of a bachelors degree in public or business administration or a related field, experience working with CMS HCBS Waiver programs and, experience working with statewide developmental disability services programs. Master's degree preferred. The posting closes on Monday, August 31, 2015. 

Click here to view the full posting. 
Just for Fun
Special Olympics Update
The Special Olympics World Games began this past Saturday, July 25, 2015, in Los Angeles, California. The opening ceremony included a visit from President Barak Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. There were also various musical performances from artists like Stevie Wonder and Avril Lavigne. This years games have over 6,500 athletes from over 165 countries. The event will conclude on Sunday, August 2, 2015. 

Click here to keep up with the events. 

Friday Update Archive
 

Did you miss a previous issue?  

Check out past Friday Updates.    

Subscribe
 

Click here
 to subscribe to Friday Update or other NASUAD news updates.