Register Today for the Iowa Conference on Aging & Disabilities!
NASUAD is proud to be sponsoring a National Aging and Disabilities Conference in Des Moines, Iowa, May 23-May 26.
This is a national conference with a regional focus! Priced lower than most regional meetings, this conference offers an opportunity to connect with professionals, policymakers, and subject-matter experts from across the country to learn about the creative work happening within the aging and disability networks.
Click here to learn more and register. Use code FOOL for a one-day only savings of $45!
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I&R Center Webinar: Paralysis Resource Center
The National I&R Support Center will host a webinar on the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation Paralysis Resource Center. This webinar will take place on Tuesday, April 12, 2016, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET.
The Reeve Foundation's Paralysis Resource Center (PRC) promotes the health and well-being of people living with a spinal cord injury, mobility impairment, and paralysis by providing comprehensive information, resources and referral services. Join this webinar to learn more about the Paralysis Resource Center, including the Center's I&R services; resources on spinal cord injury, paralysis and mobility related disabilities; peer support program; and the needs of individuals and families served by the Center. Bernadette Mauro, Director of Information and Resource Services, will present.
Pre-registration is required for this webinar. Space is limited so make sure to register as soon as possible.
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Early Bird Deadline for AIRS I&R Conference Ends Today!
Registration is open for the 38th annual AIRS I&R Training and Education Conference to be held May 22-25, 2016, in St. Louis, Missouri. Register by April 1, 2016, for the early bird rate. The National I&R Support Center welcomes aging and disability I&R/A professionals to join us in St. Louis for the National Aging and Disability Information and Referral Symposium held during the AIRS Conference. The Symposium offers a pre-conference National I&R/A Summit for aging and disability professionals, an Aging and Disability Luncheon, and a full complement of workshops throughout the conference. This year's pre-conference summit will have a special focus on person centered thinking and practices featuring an interactive presentation from Michael Smull, a national expert on person centered systems and a partner in Support Development Associates (SDA). Symposium workshop sessions will feature national, state, and local professionals presenting on key topics impacting aging and disability I&R/A programs such as quality assurance and customer satisfaction, aging caregivers, innovations in transportation services, transition for youth with disabilities, and resources for serving diverse consumers. For a full list of conference workshops, visit AIRS.
Click here to view details and register.
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HCBS Clearinghouse E-Clips
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Long-Term Services & Supports in the Evolution of Bundled Payments
Care at Hand released a report on long-term services and supports as a logical next step in the evolution of bundled payments. The historical progression of bundled payments from acute care to post-acute care and the growing recognition of the value of home and community-based services create an interesting opportunity for sustainably integrating medical services with other long-term supports and services (LTSS). With increasing involvement by LTSS providers in care transition programs, there is a growing overlap between traditionally separate medical and LTSS. The low cost and community connectedness of LTSS providers may give them an advantage over traditional providers of care transition services, especially when their services are augmented by emerging mobile technology. Building on past lessons from efforts to incorporate community-based LTSS into traditional medical care models, such as care transitions, may help to inform successful future strategies to enable bundles to more efficiently achieve the Triple Aim.
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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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| Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services |
CMS Releases Medicaid Mental Health Parity Final Rule
On Tuesday, March 29th, CMS released a final rule that implements provisions of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act. The rule establishes requirements for parity within Medicaid Managed Care plans, the Children's Health Insurance Program, and Medicaid Alternative Benefit Plans. The final rule included long term care services within parity requirements. The initial proposed rule excluded these services; however CMS indicated that public comments overwhelmingly supported applying parity rules to long-term care services. In the regulation, CMS stated that they intend to provide additional information to states regarding parity within long-term services.
Click here to view information on the regulation and behavioral health parity in Medicaid visit.
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CMS Releases Guidance on Medicaid IT Activities Eligible for Enhanced Match
On March 31st, CMS released a State Medicaid Director letter that provides guidance regarding information technology activities (IT) eligible for enhanced Federal funding. Under Medicaid law, activities related to the design, development and installation of certain IT systems receive 90% Federal match, while ongoing maintenance and operations activities receive 75% Federal matching funds. In contrast, most Medicaid administrative activities receive 50% Federal matching funds.
The March 31st letter outlines activities related to claims processing and eligibility and enrollment systems. In December, CMS released a final rule that permanently extended increased match for eligibility and enrollment systems. These systems have been eligible for enhanced match for the past several years; however, they previously received standard Medicaid administrative match. The CMS letter provides additional information on the final regulation; outlines the types of activities eligible for increased match; and discusses parameters for states that wish to implement commercially available IT systems instead of heavily customized state-specific IT solutions.
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CMS CPI Releases Medicaid Provider Enrollment Compendium
On March 24, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) Center for Program Integrity (CPI) Provider Enrollment Operations Group (PEOG) released the Medicaid Provider Enrollment Compendium (MPEC). The Compendium is a policy manual that contains sub regulatory guidance and clarifications regarding how state Medicaid agencies are expected to comply with regulations at 42 CFR � 455. The document is intended for State Medicaid agencies.
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DOJ Announces Launch of 10 Regional Elder Justice Task Forces
On March 30, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced the launch of 10 regional Elder Justice Task Forces. Task Forces coordinate the efforts of federal, state, and local prosecutors, law enforcement, and agencies that provide services to the elderly to identify and pursue nursing homes that are not providing adequate care to their residents. The new Elder Justice Task Forces will have representatives from the U.S. Attorneys' Offices, state Medicaid Fraud Control Units, state and local prosecutors' offices, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), state Adult Protective Services agencies, Long-Term Care Ombudsman programs and law enforcement.
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Home Care Guide: Understanding the Fair Labor Standards Act
On March 30, the Department of Labor (DOL) released a Home Care Guide that offers guidance about the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)and the responsibilities that consumers who use the services of a home care worker and their families must follow. Included in the guide is information about the background of who needs this guide, who needs to follow the FLSA rules, tips on how to follow the FLSA rules in regards to minimum wage, overtime pay, hours worked, record keeping, and consequences of non-compliance, and additional resources. The guide is user-friendly and was created with input from stakeholders.
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Department of Transportation
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Rides to Wellness Demonstration & Innovative Coordinated Access Grants
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced the availability of approximately $5.3 million of funding from two programs to support the Rides to Wellness Demonstration and Innovative Coordinated Access and Mobility Grants (R2W Demonstration Grants). The goal of the competitive R2W Demonstration Grants is to find and test promising, replicable public transportation healthcare access solutions that support the following goals: increased access to care, improved health outcomes and reduced healthcare costs. Eligible applicants include: States, Tribes, and designated or direct recipients for funds under 49 U.S.C. 5307, 5310 or 5311. Proposers must serve as the lead agency of a local consortium that includes stakeholders from the transportation, healthcare, human service or other sectors. Members of this consortium are eligible as subrecipients. Further, proposers must demonstrate that the proposed project was planned through an inclusive process with the involvement of the transportation, healthcare and human service industries. Eligible projects must have implementation ready capital and operating projects that enhance access, such as: mobility management; health and transportation provider partnerships; technology; and other actions that drive change. These R2W Demonstration Grants will develop best practice solutions that other communities can replicate. All applications must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday, May 31, 2016.
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| Center for Health Care Strategies |
Housing Options for High-Need Dually Eligible Individuals: San Mateo Pilot
The Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS) released a new profile, Housing Options for High-Need Dually Eligible Individuals: Health Plan of San Mateo Pilot. Many individuals with long-term services and supports (LTSS) needs either reside in institutions or are at risk for institutionalization. Rebalancing care to provide LTSS in the community is one goal of the federal Financial Alignment Initiative for Medicare-Medicaid enrollees. This profile, developed with support from The Commonwealth Fund, describes an innovative pilot program developed by the Health Plan of San Mateo, a participant in California's Cal MediConnect financial alignment demonstration. The pilot is designed to help dually eligible individuals in nursing facilities transition back to community living and support those at risk of nursing home placement to remain in the community. Lessons may help other health plans, states, and providers develop approaches to better serve dually eligible individuals with extensive LTSS needs.
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| International Association of Chiefs of Police |
Train-the-Trainer: Responding to Alzheimer's
The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) is hosting a two day, no cost training for law enforcement and first responders to learn about how to properly and appropriately respond to calls regarding individuals with Alzheimer's disease. Participants of this course will be taught to become subject matter experts for responding to Alzheimer's disease for their agency. This training is appropriate for law enforcement, first responders, and mental health professionals that work directly with first responders, especially those who have prior training experience. As a result of this training, participants will be able to:
- Better understand Alzheimer's disease
- Identify the different situations first responders might encounter persons with Alzheimer's disease
- Distinguish symptoms of Alzheimer's disease from other conditions
- Learn techniques to effectively question and interview a person with Alzheimer's disease
- Communicate and collaborate with caregivers
- Engage community resources
- Establish protocols for search-and-rescue specific to this population
The event will take place on Tuesday, April 19, 2016, and Wednesday, April 20, 2016 in Sunrise, Florida.
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Responding to Alzheimer's Disease: Techniques for Law Enforcement
The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) is hosting a one day, no cost training for law enforcement and first responders to learn special techniques to use to properly and appropriately respond to calls regarding individuals with Alzheimer's disease. This training is dedicated to providing law enforcement officers, supervisors and executives, firefighters, EMS, and others from the first responder community with the most current Alzheimer's and dementia training available. As a result of this training, participants will be able to:
- Better understand Alzheimer's disease
- Identify the different situations first responders might encounter persons with Alzheimer's disease
- Distinguish symptoms of Alzheimer's disease from other conditions
- Learn techniques to effectively question and interview a person with Alzheimer's disease
- Communicate and collaborate with caregivers
- Engage community resources
- Establish protocols for search-and-rescue specific to this population
The event will take place on Thursday, April 21, 2016, in Sunrise, Florida.
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| National Alzheimer's and Dementia Resource Center |
Webinar: Mobile Apps for Community & Police to Assist Vulnerable Adults
The National Alzheimer's and Dementia Resource Center is hosting a technical assistance (TA) webinar titled "Mobile Apps for the Community and Law Enforcement to Assist Vulnerable Adults." Participants who attend this webinar will learn about the development and implementation of two mobile applications that are designed to assist vulnerable adults who live alone. The presenters for this webinar are David Cardell, founder, EyeOn App; Sarah Ekart, Aging and Disability Resource Connection Options Counseling Specialist, DHS Division of Aging Services, Georgia; and Sharee Rines, trainer, policy writer, Georgia Adult Protective Services. The webinar will be recorded for those who are unable to attend. The webinar will take place on Thursday, April 14, 2016, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET.
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| National Disability Navigator Resource Collaborative |
Fact Sheet: What to Know When Assisting Consumers with Spina Bifida
The American Association on Health and Disability (AAHD) released a new fact sheet for the National Disability Navigator Resource Collaborative (NDNRC) titled "What to Know When Assisting a Consumer with Spina Bifida." The Spina Bifida Association helped to author this fact sheet. The purpose of this document is to help Navigators identify issues unique to consumers with Spina Bifida to assist them to make decisions related their healthcare coverage. This fact sheet is the latest in a series of population specific fact sheets which provides navigators and other enrollment specialists with information they need to help these specific populations within the disability community.
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| National Resource Center on Nutrition and Aging |
Webinar: Pitching to Health Care Organization Decision Makers
The National Resource Center on Nutrition and Aging is hosting a webinar about the perspectives among health care organization decision makers. Understanding the role and needs of various decision makers within specific health care organizations is a critical factor in the development and design of your value proposition proposals to these potential customers. Presenter Sharon R. Williams, Founder, CEO, Williams Jaxon Consulting, LLC, will identify some of the key decision makers within health care organizations and the important issues that will resonate with them and maximize the development of your uniquely designed value propositions. Attendees will be able to: Identify strategic personnel within health care organizations to who you can target your nutrition services value proposition; align previously discussed key reference points with the identified health care personnel; and review primary objections and responses. Pre-registration is required for this free event. The event will take place on Tuesday, April 5, 2016, from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET.
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| World Wide Web Consortium |
Accessibility Requirements for People with Low Vision: First Public Draft
On March 17, The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) released the first public working draft of Accessibility Requirement for People with Low Vision, a Task Force of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines Working Group. This document identifies the accommodations that people with low vision need for electronic content, tools, and technologies to be accessible. "User needs can be met at several levels, including hardware, operating systems, user agents (such as web browsers), extensions, plug-ins, assistive technologies, and content." Please note that there are several open issues with the draft and that it is not copy edited or polished.
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New Frontiers in Coordinating Housing & Medicaid Services
Mathematica is hosting a policy forum and live webinar, sponsored by the Center for Studying Disability Policy. Attendees will learn about what state and federal partners are doing to coordinate and integrate health and housing services for people with behavioral health needs. Speakers for the event are Jonathan Brown, Carol Irvin, and Matthew Kehn from Mathematica and Jennifer Ho from HUD. The speakers will discuss the following:
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Why housing is an important part of efforts to treat high-need, high-cost Medicaid beneficiaries
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Challenges and lessons from the Money Follows the Person Demonstration's efforts to improve the availability of supportive housing for Medicaid beneficiaries moving out of institutions
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Innovative state efforts to better coordinate health and housing services for people with behavioral health conditions
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Efforts led by HUD to partner with other federal agencies, such as CMS and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, to coordinate health and housing services
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The policy forum and live webinar will take place on Thursday, April 21, 2016, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. ET.
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Idaho Department of Health & Welfare Seeks Deputy Administrator
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Division of Medicaid, is qualified seeking applicants for the position of deputy administrator for policy and innovation. The deputy administrator will be responsible for administering rule development; working with community partners in developing Medicaid policy; managing the intersection between state and federal legal requirements for the Medicaid program; working closely with the Medicaid project management team; and other duties. Qualified applicants will have a minimum of experience managing health and human services programs, including policy analysis, service delivery and design, and budget/fiscal management; experience managing professional staff; experience analyzing management and program problems; and experience preparing and making presentations to groups.
All applications must be submitted by Tuesday, April 12, 2016.
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Milwaukee Center for Independence & Affiliates Seeks Leader
The Milwaukee Center for Independence (MCFI) & Affiliates is seeking qualified applicants to fill a leadership position in Quality and Outcomes Assessment. MCFI is a nonprofit agency assisting individuals with special needs and other barriers, to live and work successfully in their communities. MCFI affiliates include New Health Services, the School for Early Development & Achievement and Whole Health Clinical Group. The position responsibilities include providing leadership and consultation to promote evidence based assessment practices and interventions; conducting quantitative and qualitative research to support assessment initiatives and strategically plan metrics; providing education and training to program leadership and staff in application of assessment procedures, use of statistical analysis tools, reliability and validity of assessment methods and reporting outcomes; using quality improvement methodologies to improve outcome measure and provide guidance on process/outcomes measurement models; utilizing data collection tools for strategic projects and create tools as needed for program based and strategic projects; and serving as an active member of the clinical support board committee and leads the quality and outcomes measurement team, dedicated to the improvement of quality and outcomes for the agency. All applications must be submitted by Friday, April 29, 2016.
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Disability & Rehabilitation Research Projects Program: Employment of People with Disabilities- Research
The Administration for Community Living released the research grant opportunity for the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Project Program (DRRP): Employment of Individuals with Disabilities. The purpose of NIDILRR's Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) is to plan and conduct research, demonstration projects, training, and related activities, including international activities, to develop methods, procedures, and rehabilitation technology that maximize the full inclusion and integration into society, employment, independent living, family support, and economic and social self-sufficiency of individuals with disabilities, especially individuals with the most severe disabilities, and to improve the effectiveness of services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (Rehabilitation Act). Under this particular DRRP priority, applicants must propose a research project that is aimed at improving the employment outcomes of individuals with disabilities. In carrying out a research project under this program, a grantee must identify one or more hypotheses or research questions and, based on the hypotheses or research questions identified, perform an intensive, systematic study directed toward producing (1) new or full scientific knowledge, or (2) understanding of the subject or problem studied. Please note that this will be the Funding Opportunity for field-initiated DRRP research projects in the employment domain. NIDILRR plans to make two field-initated DRRP awards in the employment domain. NIDILRR's field-initiated DRRP awards in the employment domain may include research projects, development projects, or both, depending on the ranking of applications provided by the peer review panel. All applications are due by 11:59 p.m. ET on Tuesday, May 24, 2016.
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Disability & Rehabilitation Research Projects Program: Employment of People with Disabilities-Development
The Administration for Community Living released the development grant opportunity for the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Project Program (DRRP): Employment of Individuals with Disabilities. The purpose of NIDILRR's Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) which are funded through the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program, is to plan and conduct research, demonstration projects, training, and related activities, including international activities, to develop methods, procedures, and rehabilitation technology that maximize the full inclusion and integration into society, employment, independent living, family support, and economic and social self-sufficiency of individuals with disabilities, especially individuals with the most severe disabilities, and to improve the effectiveness of services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (Rehabilitation Act). Under this particular DRRP priority, applicants must propose a development project that is aimed at improving the employment outcomes of individuals with disabilities. In carrying out a development project under this program, a grantee must use knowledge and understanding gained from research to create materials, devices, systems, or methods beneficial to the target population, including design and development of protypes and processes. Please note that this will be the Funding Opportunity for field-initiated DRRP development projects in the employment domain. NIDILRR plans to make two field-initated DRRP awards in the employment domain. NIDILRR's field-initiated DRRP awards in the employment domain may include research projects, development projects, or both, depending on the ranking of applications provided by the peer review panel. All applications are due by 11:59 p.m. ET on Tuesday, May 24, 2016.
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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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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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Senior Community Service Employment Program National Grants
The Employment and Training Administration (ETA), U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced the availability of approximately $338,520,000 in grant funds authorized by Title V of the Older Americans Act (OAA) as amended in 2006, Pub. L. No. 109-365 for the Community Service Employment for Older Americans program commonly referred to as the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), for National Grants for Program Year (PY) 2016. SCSEP is the only Federally-sponsored employment and training program targeted specifically to low-income older individuals who are able to enter or reenter the workforce. Program participants receive paid work experience at local public or non-profit agencies and are paid the higher of the Federal, State, or local minimum wage, or the prevailing wage for similar employment, for approximately 20 hours per week while in community service and other job training (OAA Amendments � 502(b)(1)(J); 20 CFR 641.565(a)). The dual goals of the program are to promote useful opportunities in community service job training and to move SCSEP participants into unsubsidized employment. This is a four-year grant, renewable annually for each of those four years based on annual Departmental application requirements and subject to the availability of funds. The grant may be extended for a fifth year at the Department's discretion, contingent upon the grantee meeting or exceeding the minimum negotiated performance measures as required by section 514(a) of the OAA Amendments and 20 CFR 641.700. All applications are due by 4:00 p.m. ET on Friday, April 29, 2016.
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