May 27, 2016
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From NASUAD
NASUAD wishes everyone a great Memorial Day Weekend!
Registration for the 2016 HCBS Conference is Open! 
Join us for the National Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Conference held in Washington, DC, August 29 - September 1. 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. Quickly becoming the "go-to" conference for learning in the expanding field of HCBS and long-term services and supports, the Conference allows states to share best practices, present unique partnerships, and recognize the work of their peers. 

The National HCBS Conference will include federal, state, and local policymakers and those who administer, manage, and deliver waiver and other HCBS programs. The Conference always sees a strong presence from U.S. Health and Human Services ranging from the Administration for Community Living including (AoA, Office of Disability, and AIDD) to CMS, HRSA, SAMHSA, Office of Developmental Disabilities, and other federal agencies.

Click here to view details and register. 
I&R Center Webinar: America's Health Rankings Senior Report, 2016 
The National I&R Center is hosting a webinar on America's Senior Health Rankings Senior Report, 2016. The webinar will explore the most recent data released about senior health on a national and state-by-state basis, according to the Senior Health Rankings Report to be released by United Health Foundation. You will learn about national health improvements and challenges, senior health state rankings, and tools you can use to communicate the data. Your questions and suggestions will be welcomed. Sarah Milder, MPH, Principal Epidemiologist, Arundel Metrics, will present the information. The webinar will take place on Wednesday, June 8, 2016, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET

Click here to view details and register.  
Media Campaign to Spread the Word About Medicare Extra Help Programs
The National Association of States United for Aging and Disabilities (NASUAD) is seeking to collaborate with disability organizations that already help people with one or more of the impairments that qualify individuals for SSI. NASUAD has created several resources to distribute to individuals with disabilities to inform them of the Medicare Savings Programs that are available for people with low-income backgrounds. We are hoping that organizations might utilize these tools. Please see the document below, which provides great shortcuts and helpful resources to help you participate in this campaign. Please email Linda Nakagawa if you have any comments or questions.

Click here to view information about the campaign. 
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.
Healthy Aging Begins at Home: May 2016 Report 
The Bipartisan Policy Center released a May 2016 report, Healthy Aging Begins at Home, as a part of its Senior Health and Housing Task Force. The report examines the intersection between senior health and living at home, as well as noting the significant limitations of appropriate housing for a rapidly expanding senior population. The report offers a number of recommendations, including: additional steps to combat senior homelessness, expanding the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), and better coordinating LTSS services for Medicare beneficiaries that reside in public housing.

Click here to access the publication.
From the Administration
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services 
Medicaid & CHIP Application, Eligibility, & Enrollment Data
On Wednesday,  May 25, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released their monthly report for March 2016 on Medicaid and CHIP application, eligibility determination, and enrollment data. States provides data to CMS on factors related to key application, eligibility, and enrollment processes using the Medicaid and CHIP Performance Indicator Project. The data is then used to inform CMS on the operations of the programs in each state and to share state performance data publicly. 

Click here to view the publication. 
Benefits.gov 
Disability Benefits Q&A on Facebook 
Benefits.gov is hosting a live Q&A session on Facebook on the topic of disability benefits. The Q&A will take place on Thursday, June 9, 2016, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET. The event will include: "Disability Benefit Experts from the U.S. Department of Labor and U.S. Social Security Administration on hand to answer your questions; links to resources to help you find disability benefit information; and suggestions on how and where to apply for the  assistance you need." Signing up for the event entails going to the Facebook page and choosing the "going" option under the image on the event page. 

Click here to sign up for the event. 
Department of Justice
DOJ Seeks Comments on Accessibility of Web Information and Services
The Department of Justice (DOJ) is in the process of potentially revising regulations that implement Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) "to establish specific technical requirements to make services, programs, or activities offered to the public by state and local governments accessible via the Web." The DOJ issued a Supplemental Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (SANPRM) to solicit comments from the public on these technical requirements on the websites of both state and local governments. All comments must be submitted by Monday, August 8, 2016
 
Click here to view information and submit a comment. 
Click here to view ADA fact sheets. 
From Other Organizations
American Association of People with Disabilities
2016 NBCUniversal Tony Coehlo Memorial Scholarships Available 
The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) is offering eight NBCUniversal Tony Coelho Media Scholarships thanks to a generous contribution from NBCUniversal. Eligible applicants for this scholarship are "second year associate students, undergraduate sophomores, juniors, and seniors; and graduate students with disabilities with an interest in the entertainment, media, or communications industries." This scholarship was named in honor of Tony Coelho, a former United States Representative from California and the primary author and sponsor of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Scholarship recipients will receive $5,625 to help with the associated expenses of education at their colleges or universities. All applications must be submitted by July 1, 2016, at 5:00 p.m. ET. 

Click here to view details and apply. 
Center for Health Care Strategies 
Webinar: State Approaches to Providing Health-Related Supportive Services Through Medicaid 
The Center for Health Care Strategies, Inc. (CHCS) is hosting a webinar on state approaches to providing health-related supportive services through Medicaid. State policymakers increasingly recognize that addressing the social determinants of health is a critical component for improving outcomes and reducing health care spending for Medicaid beneficiaries. Medicaid, however, typically reimburses only for direct medical care or "enabling services" that facilitate access to care, including care coordination, interpretation, and transportation. A handful of states, are implementing innovative models that go beyond reimbursing solely for direct medical care to pay for a broader range of "non-traditional" supportive services, including housing, employment support, education and training, and environmental modifications.
 
This webinar, made possible by The Commonwealth Fund, explores how select states are using Medicaid to pay for supportive services within accountable care organizations, health homes, community health teams, accountable communities for health, and other value-based delivery system reforms. Oregon's Coordinated Care Organizations and Massachusetts' High-Risk Pediatric Asthma Bundled Payment Model will be highlighted. The webinar will take place on Thursday, June 2, 2016, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. ET

Click here to view details and register.
Health Management Associates 
Webinar: Trauma Informed Care
Health Management Associates (HMA) is hosting a webinar on Trauma Informed Care: The Benefits of Clinical Integration and Organizational Buy-In. Healthcare organizations are beginning to recognize the benefits of integrating Trauma Informed Care initiatives into clinical protocols and best practices. Trauma Informed Care is an approach that helps providers and staff identify and address adverse experiences in individuals lives. The return on investment is measureable, and the costs can be minimal with the right type of training, organizational support, and leadership. During this webinar, HMA experts Laurie Lockert, Jeffrey Ring, and Karen Hill will discuss how organizations can best support the transformation to Trauma Informed Care and how these initiatives improve patients outcomes, improve job satisfaction, and reduce costs consistent with the Triple Aim. Speakers for the webinar include: Laurie Lockert, MS, LPC, Senior Consultant; Jeffrey Ring, PhD, Principal; and Karen Hill; PhD, MSN, ANP-C. This webinar is recommended for physicians, physician assistants, nurses, and other healthcare practitioners; executives of health systems, physician practices, FQHCs, and other provider organizations; behavioral health and substance use disorder practitioners and organizations; executives of Medicaid managed care plans; and Medicaid directors and staff. The free webinar will take place on Wednesday, June 8, 2016, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. ET.  

Click here to view details and register. 
National Committee for Quality Assurance
Webinar: Case Management Accreditation for LTSS 
The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) is hosting a webinar that will provide an overview of NCQA's soon-to-be released Case Management Accreditation for Long Term Services & Supports. Long-term services and supports (LTSS) help older Americans, and those with disabilities, live happier and healthier lives, providing access to services and quality care that support independence and help people remain at home longer. As the older population (age 65+) grows, the role that LTSS plays in the health care system becomes more important. Payers and partners need assurance that LTSS providers can effectively coordinate care across medical, behavioral and social services. With this in mind, NCQA will launch a new Case Management Accreditation for Long-Term Services and Supports in July. This program will provide a framework for organizations to deliver person-centered care efficiently and effectively, and to align with state and managed care organization needs. During this session attendees will learn: Rationale for program development; eligibility for participation; program benefits; standards overview; and benefits of early adoption. This webinar is recommended for organizations that coordinate LTSS services; Area Agencies on Aging; Aging and Disability Resource Centers; Centers for Independent Living; and health plans only responsible for LTSS and not medical/behavioral health benefits. The webinar will take place on Tuesday, May 31, 2016, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. ET. 
 
Click here to view details and register. 
National Council on Aging
Visualization Tool: SSA Letters for MSP/LIS Eligibility 
The Social Security Administration (SSA) sends out letters each May to Medicare beneficiaries who are potentially eligible for Part D Low-Income Subsidies (LIS), also known as Extra Help, and the Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs). There are two letters, one that only offers information about MSPs and one that includes information about MSPs and LIS. The National Council on Aging (NCOA) developed a visualization tool that shows where MSP only letters were mailed, and where MSP and LIS letters were mailed.
 
Click here to view the letter regarding MSPs.
Click here to view the letter regards LIS and MSPs. 
Click here to view the visualization tool. 
United Healthcare Community & State 
White Paper: MLTSS Programs 
This week at the Iowa Governor's Conference on Aging and Disability and MLTSS Symposium hosted by NASUAD in Des Moines, Iowa, UnitedHealthcare Community & State released a White Paper unveiling a proposed quality framework for MLTSS programs. The framework, developed by UnitedHealthcare's National Advisory Board, extends beyond traditional clinical measures to measure the quality of the "services and supports" delivered in MTLSS, which is often most important for those accessing MLTSS benefits. The measures are person-centered, outcomes-focused, and adoptable in any Medicaid program in which LTSS services are in a managed care delivery system. The White Paper calls consumers, advocates, and policymakers to action to implement consistent quality frameworks for MLTSS across the country to improve the ability to measure the quality of MLTSS programs both over time and across states, which cannot be done today.
 
Martha Roherty, Executive Director of NASUAD is a member of the National Advisory Board and was instrumental in the development of both the framework and the White Paper. 
 
If you have questions or would like to learn more, you can send an email here.

Click here to view the publication. 
Events
Barriers and Supports to Employment for State Vocational Rehabilitation Clients
Mathematica's Center for Studying Disability Policy is hosting a policy forum and live webinar on the topic of barriers and supports to employment for state vocational rehabilitation clients. Individuals with a disability are less likely to find and keep jobs than people without disabilities are. Some people with disabilities, however, have more success with employment than their peers do. To better understand the factors that may explain these disparities, the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) sponsored the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Individual-Level Characteristics Related to Employment Among Individuals with Disabilities (IC-RRTC) at the Kessler Foundation. Panelists for the event include: Debra Brucker, Institute on Disability, University of New Hampshire; Angie Jaszczak, Mathematica; Joe Marrone, Public Policy Institute for Community Inclusion, University of Massachusetts, Boston; Frank Martin, Mathematica; and Purvi Seval, Mathematica. This event will take place on Thursday, June 9, 2016, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. ET.

Click here to view details and register. 
Jobs & Internships 
TMG Seeks Self-Directed Personal Care Contractor for IRIS Program
TMG is the IRIS Consultant Agency (ICA) and Self-Directed Personal Care contractor for Wisconsin's IRIS program. IRIS is a long-term support program where eligible individuals self-direct their publicly funded, community based long-term care services. TMG is seeking a full-time IRIS Consultant who lives in Winnebago County. TMG's IRIS Consultants (ICs) are home-based employees who partner with individuals enrolled in the IRIS program to identify their long-term care goals and find creative ways to achieve them. All applications must be submitted by Friday, June 3, 2016. 

Click here to view the posting.
Funding Opportunities 
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
 
Click here to view the full posting.  
State Grants to Enhance Adult Protective Services 
The Administration for Community Living (ACL) released a grant opportunity for states to enhance Adult Protective Services. This demonstration is designed to provide states funding to strengthen their APS systems statewide, to include improvement in practice, services, and data collection and reporting, as well as their technical ability to interface with ACL's National Adult Maltreatment Reporting System (NAMRS). Eligible applicants are the state government offices that administer the state's adult protective services and/or elder protective services program. Recipients of an award under this program in FY 2015 are NOT eligible to apply for funding under this opportunity. Foreign entities are not eligible to compete for, or receive, awards made under this announcement. All applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 31, 2016
 
Click here to view the full posting. 
Building the Business Capacity of Senior Nutrition Programs Learning Collaborative Grants 
The National Resource Center for Nutrition and Aging has announced the availability of funding for eight (8) community-based Older Americans Act (OAA) Nutrition Programs interested in strengthening their business capacity. The first Business Acumen Learning Collaborative was announced August 2015.
 
The Senior Nutrition Program Business Acumen Learning Collaborative is designed to help funded OAA nutrition programs strengthen their business capacity and align service capabilities to prepare to negotiate contracts with healthcare entities, either directly or as a part of a community-based network and to help improve the sustainability of their programs. This initiative provides funding, via eight (8) $10,000 mini-grant awards, and technical assistance, both in-person and through a variety of other learning activities. Eligible applicants are OAA Nutrition Programs that currently receive funding from the Older Americans Act for Title III Part C - Nutrition Services or Title VI Grants for Native Americans to provide meals and other nutrition services to older adults in their community. The applicant organization can be either a public organization or private, non-profit organization. This initiative is funded in part by a cooperative agreement between the US Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services and Meals on Wheels America. 
 
Interested applicants are encouraged to attend the Applicant Informational webinar on Wednesday, May 18, 2016. All requirements stated in the Request for Applications must be met in order for an application to be considered. Applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM ET on Friday, June 3, 2016. 

Click here to view the full posting. 
Click here to view details and register for the webinar. 

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