Farewell to NJ Department of Human Services Deputy Commissioner
It is with mixed emotions, that we report that Lowell Arye will be leaving the New Jersey Department of Human Services. For the past four years, Lowell has served as the Deputy Commissioner for the NJ DHS. Lowell also served as Second Vice President on NASUAD's Board of Directors since August 2015. Prior to being Deputy Commissioner, Lowell served as the Policy Advisor on Human Services and Children and Families in the Office of the Governor and as Executive Director for the Alliance for the Betterment of Citizens with Disabilities. Lowell has brought his 30+ years of passion working in the human services field to each assignment and urged all entities to strive to go further and be better. We wish Lowell nothing but the best in his future endeavors. Valerie Harr, Director of the Division of Medical Assistance and Health Service at the New Jersey Department of Human Services, will take on the dual role as Deputy Commissioner.
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Minnesota Appoints New Director of Aging and Adult Services Division
Congratulations to Kari Benson on her new position as Director of the Aging and Adult Services Division at the Minnesota Department of Human Services and Executive Director of the Minnesota Board on Aging. In this position Kari will provide statewide aging services leadership for both DHS and the Minnesota Board on Aging. She will also oversee planning for and providing sustainable financial, housing and service options for older Minnesotans, including management of Minnesota's state and federally funded home and community-based services programs. Prior to this, Kari served as as a special projects coordinator at DHS, a policy analyst for four years with the federal Administration on Community Living, and planning consultant and lead staff person for federally sponsored health promotion and nutrition programs.
We wish Kari great success in her new position.
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I&R Center Webinar: Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)
The National I&R Support Center will host a webinar on the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). This webinar is scheduled for Wednesday, February 24, 2016, from 3:00-4:00p.m. ET.
The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) model provides an integrated system of care that is community-based, comprehensive, and coordinated for eligible older adults. Over 200 PACE centers are operated by 116 organizations in 32 states, and this number continues to grow. Yet, when providing information and counseling on long-term services and supports options, specialists may lack information on PACE. Join this I&R Center webinar to learn more about the PACE model, including services, partnerships, and outcomes. The presenter from the National PACE Association is Joy Cameron, Senior Director, State Policy.
Pre-registration is required for this webinar.
To register:
1. Click "Register".
2. On the registration form, enter your information and then click "Submit".
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Submit A Proposal for the National HCBS Conference
The National Association of States United for Aging and Disabilities (NASUAD) is pleased to announce the Call for Sessions for the 2016 National Home and Community Based Services Conference, August 29-September 1, 2016 in Washington D.C. This 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 and fifteen minute workshops.
The HCBS Conference has become the "go-to" conference for learning in the expanding field of home and community-based services. Don't miss the opportunity to be 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 2016 HCBS Conference will be open from January 19th - February 29th.
Click here to learn more and submit your session today.
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Register Today for the Iowa Governor's Conference on Aging & Disabilities
The Iowa Governor's Conference on Aging & Disabilities, May 23-26th, 2016, will offer a wide array of regional and national strategies to address the challenges and embrace the opportunities that accompany the ever-changing aging and disability communities.
The conference is being hosted by the Iowa Department on Aging and the Iowa Developmental Disabilities Council, in partnership with the National Association of States United for Aging and Disabilities, and directed by a steering committee made up of Iowa business and community leaders and chaired by Lt. Governor Reynolds.
We are excited to announce our Plenary Speaker, Terry Rich, CEO of the Iowa Lottery. Mr. Rich is an expert at helping organizations realize that saying "it's always been done that way" is the biggest obstacle to allowing for substantive and meaningful change. Mr. Rich will inspire you to go back to your office and consider how you can improve the work you do.
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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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nTIDE Jobs Report: As New Year Begins, Job Numbers Mixed for People with Disabilities
The Bureau of Labor Statistics in collaboration with the Kessler Foundation and the University of New Hampshire's Institute on Disability published this month's National Trends on Disability Employment report (nTIDE). Each month this report is published to mark the changes of employment for people with disabilities. "The labor force participation rate of people with disabilities decreased slightly from 30.8 percent in January 2015 to 30.3 percent in January 2016 (down 1.6 percent; 0.5 percentage points." Note that the statistics from nTIDE are not seasonally adjusted.
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| Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services |
Extension to Submit Expression of Interest for IAP Support Opportunity
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) extended the deadline for submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) for the Medicaid Innovation Accelerator Program's (IAP) Physical and Mental Health Integration Program Support until today, February 12, 2016, at 5 p.m. ET. The program support is individually tailored to selected states' unique policy environment, but based on IAP's goals to support states in improving/expanding use of integrated models for diverse Medicaid populations/subpopulations. Example of support could include: Assistance with leveraging/expanding current Medicaid authorities; developing payment models that link payments with improved outcomes for Medicaid beneficiaries with these co-morbid conditions; supporting states in improved use of data in planning, operationalizing, and measuring their integrated care initiatives; identifying a finite set of measures for PMH program evaluation; and providing performance improvement support to set goals and identify drivers to address the goals.
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Implementation of the Covered Outpatient Drug Final Regulation
On Thursday, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released an informational letter providing guidance to the states concerning implementation of the Covered Outpatient Drug final rule with comments. The final rule (CMS-2345-FC) (81 FR 5170) was published on February 1, 2016, and explains final regulations pertaining to reimbursement for covered outpatient drugs in the Medicaid program. Included in the letter are changes that states should keep in mind when determining reimbursement methodology and information about the requirement for states to review both components of their total pharmacy reimbursement methodology.
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Informational Bulletin Updating Poverty Guidelines
On Tuesday, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released an Informational Bulletin that updates the poverty guidelines applied to eligibilty criteria for programs like Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The Department of Health and Human Services (DHS) is required to update the poverty guidelines annually as required by the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981. "For a family or household of 4 persons living in one of the 48 contiguous states or the District of Columbia, the poverty guideline for 2016 is $24,300."
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| Department of Health and Human Services |
Information on the Donut Hole and Medicare Preventive Services
On Monday, the Department of Health and Human Services released information showing that millions of older adults and people with disabilities on Medicare are saving money on prescription drugs thanks to the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Since ACA was enacted, "nearly 10.7 million Medicare beneficiaries have received discounts over $20.8 billion on prescription drugs - an average of $1,945 per beneficiary."
Medicare beneficiaries are also more informed and educated and are taking advantage of recommended preventive services with no coinsurance.
The prescription drug "donut hole" refers to the gap in coverage where beneficiaries paid the full cost of their prescriptions out of pocket before catastrophic cover for prescriptions took effect. Beneficiaries that are in the donut hole in 2016 will receive discounts including, "savings of 55 percent on the cost of brand name drugs and 42 percent on the cost of generic drugs." The hole will be closed by the year 2020. In an effort to remove barriers to prevention, the ACA added coverage for an annual wellness visit and eliminated coinsurance and the Part D deductible for specific recommended preventive services.
Click here to view the donut hole discounts. Click here to view information about Medicare drug benefits. Click here to view the preventive services document.
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| National Institute on Aging |
Information about Organ Donation for Older Adults
The National Institute on Aging is spreading the knowledge that anyone, regardless of age or medical history, can sign up to be an organ donor. NIA's website provides information for potential organ donors and transplant recipients over 50 years of age. There is a tremendous need for organ, eye, and tissue donation. Organ donors provide for 30,000 transplants every year.
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Webinar: Results from the 2013 BRFSS Cognitive Module
The Alzheimer's Association is hosting a webinar on the results of the 2013 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). BRFSS suggest that a significant portion of midlife and older adults are experiencing worsening memory problems that interfere with daily activities. Presenters, Dr. Lisa McGuire, Lead, Healthy Aging Program, Centers for Disease Control; and Linda Stemnock, BRFSS Coordinator, Indiana State Department of Health will discuss the new 2013 BRFSS findings and ways states and localities can leverage this BRFSS cognitive data to address systems change and educate stakeholders. Pre-registration is required for this free webinar. The webinar will take place on Friday, February 26, 2016, from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. ET.
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| Health Management Associates |
Webinar: Value Based End-of-Life Care
Health Management Associates is hosting a webinar on value based end-of-life care. Presenters Sukey Barnum, Principal, Columbus; Laurie Lockert, Senior Consultant, Portland; and
Suzanne Mitchell, MD, Principal, will build the case for value-based end-of-life care and planning, and provide a roadmap for health plans and providers looking to launch end-of-life care policies and educational programs. This webinar is recommended for executives of Medicaid managed care plans; physicians, healthcare practitioners and leaders of provider organizations; regulators and healthcare policy analysts; Medicaid directors and staff; and state officials for public health. Pre-registration is required for this free event. This event will take place on Thursday, February 25, 2016, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. ET.
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| National Alliance for Caregiving |
Briefing Event: On Pins & Needles: Caregivers of Adults with Mental Illness
The National Alliance for Caregiving, Mental Health America, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness will convene members of Congress, policy makers, family caregiving advocates, mental health professionals, and others for the release of the research study, On Pins & Needles: Caregivers of Adults with Mental Illness. The study, conducted by the National Alliance for Caregiving in collaboration with Mental Health America and the National Alliance on Mental Illness, provides new data on 1,601 family caregivers of persons with severe mental illness including people caring for a loved one with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, major depression, or other mental illness. Findings include gaps in existing coverage and potential solutions. The report also includes public policy recommendations. The briefing will take place on Tuesday, February 23, 2016, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET.
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| National Council on Aging |
Webinar: Achieving Collaboration Through Coalition Building
The National Council on Aging Center for Benefits Access is hosting a webinar on achieving collaboration between mental health and aging services through coalition building. Mental health and aging coalitions across the country have been successful at fostering partnerships between the mental health and aging services networks. This webinar will highlight the work of the National Coalition on Mental Health and Aging and coalitions in Georgia and Illinois to address the mental health needs of older adults by integrating services and supports. Pre-registration is required for this free event. This event will take place on Wednesday, February 24, 2016, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m ET.
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| National Resource Center on Nutrition and Aging |
Webinar: Keeping Up with Healthcare Organizations
The National Resource Center on Nutrition and Aging is hosting a webinar on understanding the value proposition as integrated care progresses. In order to attract and build successful partnerships with healthcare entities, it is vital that your organization has a comprehensive understanding of the industry's needs, motivations and bottom line. Presenter Sharon Williams, Founder, CEO, Williams Jaxon Consulting, LLC, previously provided insight on the solutions your organization can deliver to meet these needs through an introductory webinar held last December entitled, The Key Drivers for Healthcare Organizations When Partnering with CBO's. Pre-registration is required for this free event. This event will take place on Wednesday, February 17, 2016, from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m ET.
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National Senior Health and Fitness Day
The Mature Market Resource Center is hosting the 23rd annual National Senior Health & Fitness Day. National Senior Health and Fitness Day features health promotion events across the United States for older adults. This year's theme is "Improve Your Health for a Better Self!" Registration provides access to the 2016 Senior Health & Fitness Day program website, with all of the materials and resources needed to plan and host a successful event on Wednesday, May 25th. Registration also includes the 2016 event license granting permission to legally use the National Senior Health & Fitness Day trademarks, and a free subscription to FitnessDay News, the official program newsletter, with regular event updates leading up to the event. If you register now, the registration fee will be waived for a short time. The event will be held on Wednesday, May 25, 2016, in locations across the country.
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Washington State Department of Social and Health Services Secretary
The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) is seeking applicants for the secretary position. The secretary is responsible for leading a staff of approximately 17,600 employees, most of whom are represented by labor unions. The Secretary of DSHS provides executive leadership, overall direction and strategic vision to the Department in comprehensive administration, integration, accountability and coordination of care for individuals and families with economic, social, health, long-term care supervision or related needs. Qualified applicants will have a minimum of a Masters degree with at least seven years experience in a senior leadership and management role within a substantial and complex government agency, a not-for-profit, or a for-profit corporation that involves leading a diverse staff and management of significant funds. The deadline for applications is Friday, March 11, 2016.
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AARP PPI Seeks Senior Policy Advisors for Financial Security Group
The AARP Public Policy Institute is seeking applicants to fill a number of senior policy advisor positions in its financial security group. The advisors will be responsible for identifying policy challenges and solutions, including emerging trends, in areas of expertise; developing policy options and strategies to enable AARP to promote changes to improve the lives of Americans age 50-plus and their families; u sing appropriate research methodologies and data to conduct and oversee original policy research on highly-visible and potentially controversial issues; writing research reports, fact sheets, policy briefs, and blogs for public release; working collaboratively with internal stakeholders to help AARP achieve its strategic objectives; and advising internal stakeholders in areas of expertise, including evaluating Federal and state regulatory and legislative proposals. Qualified applicants will have a minimum of an advanced degree in Economics, Public Policy, other Social Sciences, or related discipline; Ph.D. preferred, 5+ years of relevant professional experience in research and data analysis, and public policy evaluation and development, excellent written and oral communication skills and exceptional skills in presenting complex issues to a wide range of audiences, and experience analyzing data using statistical software such as SAS, SPSS or STATA preferred.
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Evidence-Based Falls Prevention Programs Financed Solely by 2016 Prevention and Health Funds
The Administration on Aging (AoA) within the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) forecasts the possible availability of Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 funds to make two-year grants to approximately 8 entities to bring to scale and sustain evidence-based falls prevention programs that will reduce the number of falls, fear of falling, and fall-related injuries in older adults and older adults with disabilities. Goal 1: Significantly increase the number of older adults and older adults with disabilities at risk of falls who participate in evidence-based community programs to reduce falls and falls risks; and Goal 2: Implement innovative funding arrangements (e.g. contracts with integrated health care systems) to support community-based falls prevention programs beyond the grant period, while embedding the programs into an integrated, sustainable evidence-based prevention program network.
Eligible organizations are as following: State governments, Small businesses, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Individuals, City or township governments, County governments, Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility". For profit organizations other than small businesses, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, and Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments). All applications are due by 11:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday, April 6, 2016.
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Empowering Older Adults and Adults with Disabilities through Chronic Disease Self-Management Education Programs
The Administration on Aging (AoA) within the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) forecasts the possible availability of Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 funds to make two-year grants to approximately 8 entities to bring to scale and sustain evidence-based programs that empower older adults and adults with disabilities to better manage their chronic conditions. Goal 1: Significantly increase the number of older adults and adults with disabilities who participate in evidence-based self-management programs to empower them to better manage their chronic conditions; and Goal 2: Implement innovative funding arrangements (e.g. contracts with integrated health care systems) to support the CDSME programs beyond the grant period, while embedding the programs into an integrated, sustainable evidence-based prevention program network.
Eligible organizations are as following: Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility," Independent school districts, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), for profit organizations other than small businesses, private institutions of higher education, nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, special district governments, city or township governments, state governments, county governments, public and State controlled institutions of higher education, small businesses, and Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized). All applications are due by 11:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday, April 6, 2016.
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What A Waste Service Grants
The National Foundation to End Senior Hunger (NFESH) announced a Request for Applications for What A Waste Service Grants. The purpose of this RFA is to encourage organizations to work with NFESH to implement the What A Waste program in sites throughout the United States. In order to do so, NFESH will provide grants of services and materials valued at approximately $35,000 to each organization that is selected to participate.
Eligible organizations are as following: Organizations that provide meals primarily to seniors (age 60+) in a congregate setting and/or through home delivery. Meal preparation can be self-operated or catered, on-site or remote; organizations must be a tax-exempt public charity described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; and priority will be given to organizations that submit proposals that include one or more of the optional Innovation, Inclusion or,Composting categories below. The application process will begin with the organization submitting a Letter of Application (LOA). The LOA is due by February 19, 2016, at 5:00 p.m. ET. Awardees will be notified by email of their acceptance by February 26, 2015.
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Inclusive Planning Impact Grant
The Transit Planning for All project has announced the availability of funding for community-cased demonstration programs. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to encourage development of an inclusive coordinated transportation system in which people with disabilities and older adults actively participate in both advisory and decision-making capacities. While the intention is first and foremost the development of inclusionary processes and plans, the secondary expectation is that inclusion will result in identifiable and measurable changes in the transportation system that respond to the needs and preferences of older adults and people with disabilities.
To take advantage of this funding opportunity, communities should download both the request for proposals and the grant application form. All requirements stated in the application form must be met in order for an application to be considered. There will be a conference call to answer questions on the demonstration grants on Wednesday, Jan. 27 at 2 p.m. ET. Call toll-free: 866-906-9888; Passcode 2724141. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM ET on Friday, March 18, 2016.
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CMS Accountable Health Communities Grant
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation released a request for proposal (RFP) for an Affordable Care Act (ACA) funding opportunity for Accountable Health Communities (AHC), funding opportunity number CMS-1P1-17-001. The AHC model will test three community-focused interventions of varying intensity and their ability to impact total health care costs and inpatient and outpatient health care utilization. There are different tracks-Increase Awareness, Provide Assistance, and Align Partners-with varying funding amounts available. Each track will run for a five year period. A letter of intent to apply is required and due by Monday, February 8, 2016. An electronic cooperative agreement application is due by 1:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 31, 2016.
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Supportive Services Demonstration for Elderly Households in HUD-Assisted Multifamily Housing
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced it is making approximately $15 million available to test a promising housing and services model for low-income seniors to age in their own homes and delay or avoid the need for nursing home care.
HUD's Supportive Services Demonstration for Elderly Households in HUD-Assisted Multifamily Housing will offer three-year grants to eligible owners of HUD-assisted senior housing developments to cover the cost of a full-time Enhanced Service Coordinator and a part-time Wellness Nurse. The purpose of the Demonstration is to test the effectiveness of this enhanced supportive services model for elderly households and to evaluate the value of enhanced service coordination paired with affordable housing for seniors. The demonstration will be independently evaluated to determine the impact of the enhanced supportive services model on: Aging in place in HUD-assisted senior developments; avoiding early transitions to institutional care, and; preventing unnecessary and often costly health care events-such as some emergency room visits and hospitalizations-for residents in HUD-assisted senior developments. Grant applications must be submitted electronically by Monday, April 18, 2016, at 11:59 p.m. ET.
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