|
NASUAD State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program Report
The National Association of States United for Aging and Disabilities (NASUAD) published a new report that offers data from the Long-Term Care Ombusdman Program organizational structure survey that was conducted in early 2015. This survey was conducted through one-on-one telephone interviews with each State Long-Term Care Ombudsman. Information for the survey focused on four basic topic areas: Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, management of regional/ district/ local program offices, volunteers, and comments regarding current structure. The report includes a standard organizational structure chart and a flow structure with more detailed information regarding roles and responsibilities for all fifty states and the District of Columbia.
|
|
NASUAD I&R Center Webinar: Disability & Rehabilitation Resources
The National I&R Support Center will host a webinar on Disability and Rehabilitation Resources that attendees can use to help consumers with disabilities of all ages. This webinar is scheduled for Wednesday, July 20, 2016, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET.
If your agency and your partners are looking for good, evidence-based programs, tools, and materials that can help clients with disabilities, then this webinar is for you! The grantees of the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) generate a wealth of ready-to-use guides, tools, webinars, and more for everything from creating welcoming congregations to testing the accessibility of the local health club. Our presenter, Jessica Chaiken, Media and Information Services Manager, HeiTech Services, Inc. for the National Rehabilitation Information Center, will sample the diverse library of NIDILRR-funded resources that your agency can use right now to help people with disabilities live independently, and show you where to find more. This webinar is an encore presentation of a session given at the 2016 AIRS I&R Conference. Pre-registration is required for this webinar. Space is limited so make sure to register as soon as possible.
Click hereto view details and register.
|
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.
|
| 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.
|
Mathematica Report on MLTSS Rate-Setting
On Friday, July 1, 2016, Mathematica Policy Research published a report that summarizes the basic approach to rate-setting in Medicaid managed care and reviews the main options for structuring managed long-term services and supports (MLTSS) rates. It presents examples from states with financial alignment demonstrations as well as long-standing MLTSS programs. The report concludes by highlighting the policy and operational considerations that should influence a state's choice of strategy.
Click here to view the report.
|
Administration for Community Living
|
Grant Awards Announced to Increase Older Americans' Access to Legal Services
The Administration for Community Living (ACL) recently announced grant awards totaling over $1.2 million to help older adults at risk of abuse, neglect, or exploitation gain access to quality legal services. The Model Approaches to Statewide Legal Assistance Systems (Model Approaches) demonstration grants are designed to help states expand and improve the capacity of their legal service delivery networks to effectively respond to priority legal issues impacting seniors in the most social or economic need. ACL awarded Phase I grants to State Units on Aging in Tennessee and Wisconsin, and Phase II grants to State Units on Aging in Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Virginia.
Click here to view the posting.
|
Promoting Community Living for Older Adults Who Need Long-term Services and Support
The Administration for Community Living's (ACL) Center for Policy and Evaluation published the policy brief "Promoting Community Living for Older Adults Who Need Long-term Services and Support." June marked the 17th anniversary of the Olmstead v. LC Supreme Court decision. The Olmstead decision has helped older adults and people with disabilities receive more integrated care. The policy brief outlines opportunities that states have to further improve their home and community-based services (HCBS).
Click here to view the brief.
|
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
|
Annual Re-determination of Medicare Part D Low-Income Subsidy Deemed Status
On Friday, July 15, 2016, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published an informational bulletin to provide an update on the next steps for the annual redetermination of Medicare Part D low-income subsidy (LIS) deemed status, also known as "re-deeming." The information provided is aimed at helping states understand the process and their role in ensuring that dual eligible beneficiaries have timely, affordable, and comprehensive coverage under the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit.
Click here to view the bulletin.
|
Projections of National Health Expenditures Data
The Office of the Actuary in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) annually produces projections of health care spending for categories within the National Health Expenditure Accounts, which track health spending by source of funds (for example, private health insurance, Medicare, Medicaid), by type of service (hospital, physician, prescription drugs, etc.), and by sponsor (businesses, households, governments). The latest projections begin after the latest historical year (2014) and go through 2025.
Click here to view the projections.
|
New "Quick Links" Webpage
Disability.gov has added a new webpage of "quick links" and phone numbers for easy access to information and resources. The addition was made in response to feedback that visitors were looking for a way to find information faster and a phone number to call in order to find resources within their own communities.
Click here to view the webpage.
|
Review of the Final Rules Implementing Titles I and IV of WIOA, from a Disability Perspective
The National Center on Leadership for the Employment and Economic Advancement of People with Disabilities (LEAD) published two policy briefs to provide a summary from a disability perspective on the Final Rules implementing Title I (Workforce Development Systems) and Title IV (State Vocational Rehabilitation) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). These policy briefs highlight important requirements and activities that will favorably impact individuals with disabilities nationwide.
|
| National Alzheimer's and Dementia Resource Center |
Webinar: Legal Planning Essentials for Persons with Dementia
The National Alzheimer's and Dementia Resource Center (NADRC) is hosting the upcoming webinar, "It is all about the Future: Legal Planning Essentials for Persons with Dementia." During this session, participants will 1) review the benefits of legal planning for the future of a person with dementia, 2) review the urgency and obstacles of legal planning for persons with dementia, and 3) learn how supported decision making principles interact with legal planning to ensure choices made reflect the wishes of the person with dementia. The session is scheduled for Wednesday, July 20, 2016 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET.
|
| National Aging and Disability Business Center |
Webinar: Finding Champions and Building Partnerships
The National Aging and Disability Business Center, a collaboration of the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) and the American Society on Aging (ASA), has an upcoming webinar entitled "Finding Champions and Building Partnerships between CBOs and Healthcare Entities." This seminar will provide practical strategies that can enable community-based organizations (CBOs) to establish positive working relationships with physician groups, hospitals and health plans. Engaging champions is likely necessary to form relationships, move a relationship to a pilot or ongoing contract, and ensure the program's success after the contract has been signed. The webinar will describe typical sources of resistance and successful strategies to combat it, based on the presenters' successful efforts. The webinar is scheduled for Friday, July 22, 2016 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. ET.
|
| National Chronic Disease Self-Management Education Resource Center |
Webinar: Engaging HIV+ Older Adults in Chronic Disease Self-Management Education
The National Chronic Disease Self-Management Education (CDSME) Resource Center, funded by the Administration on Aging (AoA), is hosting a webinar about the impact of HIV among older adults. The webinar will also discuss the benefits of the Positive Self-Management Program (PSMP) and examples of PSMP implementation from the field. The session is scheduled for Tuesday, July 19, 2016, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET.
|
Webinar: HCBS Committee Meeting
The National Quality Forum (NQF) published the last interim report, "Addressing Performance Measure Gaps in Home and Community-Based Services to Support Community Living: Priorities for Measure Development." It details the findings and milestones in the home and community-based services (HCBS) quality project performed under contract with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The HCBS Committee will host a meeting for members and the public on Thursday, August, 4, 2016, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 pm. ET.
Click here to register.
|
Webinar: Barriers to Food Access:
Experiences by Older Adults
The Wisdom Tooth Project, an Oral Health America Program, hosts a monthly webinar series to provide a forum for organizations to share information about initiatives and activities related to older adults. The upcoming session, "Barriers to Food Access: Experiences by Older Adults," will discuss the issue of food insecurity as it relates to older adults. The presentation will cover topics such as causes of food insecurity, preparing meals, nutrition, barriers to food access programs, and measurement issues. The webinar is scheduled for Tuesday, July 26, 2016 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET.
Click here to register.
|
| UnitedHealthcare Community & State |
Quality Improvement for Individuals with I/DD: A Proposed Framework
At the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities' (NACDD) Annual Conference in Washington, DC, UnitedHealthcare Community & State released a White Paper unveiling a proposed quality framework for managed care programs serving individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (ID/DD). The framework, developed by UnitedHealthcare's National Advisory Board, extends beyond traditional clinical measures to benchmark the quality of the "services and supports" delivered in these programs to measure how these programs address individuals' quality of life.
The measures are person-centered, outcomes-focused, and adoptable in any Medicaid program in which services for individuals with ID/DD are in a managed care delivery system. The White Paper calls consumers, advocates, and policymakers to action to implement consistent quality frameworks across the country to improve the ability to measure the quality of these programs both over time and across states, which cannot be done today.
Donna Meltzer, CEO of NACDD, is a member of the National Advisory Board and was instrumental in the development of both the framework and the White Paper. Martha Roherty, Executive Director of NASUAD, is also a member of the National Advisory Board and participated in the NACDD conference, voicing her endorsement of the ID/DD framework on the Opening Plenary panel.
If you have questions or would like to learn more, you can send an email to IDDQuality@UHC.com.
|
| University of New Hampshire, Kessler Foundation, Association of University Centers on Disabilities |
nTIDE Jobs Report
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.
Click here to view the report.
|
Crater District Area Agency on Aging Seeks Executive Director
Crater District Area Agency on Aging (CDAAA) in Petersburg, Virginia is seeking an Executive Director that provides leadership and vision in planning services, coordinating community programs, developing new initiatives, and fundraising. The Director must work effectively with the Board of Directors, elected officials, local governments, Advisory Council, advocacy organizations, agency staff, volunteers, and older individuals and families receiving services. In addition, the Director is responsible for administration, personnel, and financial management including the monitoring of programs and subcontractors.
The successful candidate will be expected to have a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in business or public administration, gerontology, social work or a closely related field. A Master's degree is preferred. Strong written and oral communication skills and public relations skills are also critical. Candidates should have a minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible administrative or supervisory experience in either a public or private agency. Applications are due by Friday, July 29, 2016.
|
TMG seeks Long-Term Care Screening Specialists
TMG is seeking three Screening Specialists in Wisconsin to be responsible for completing the Adult Long-Term Care Functional Screens (LTC-FS) for participants of the IRIS program. This includes completing annual re-screens and any change in condition screens. The Screening Specialist will use the Adult LTC-FS tool for IRIS participants as required and outlined in the Wisconsin Adult LTC-FS Instructions. This includes completing collateral contacts to verify screen findings with IRIS Consultants, MAPC agencies and day programs, and verifying diagnosis information with physicians and or SSA. Screening Specialists are also responsible for tracking screening requests electronically and participating in the development, process improvement, and ongoing quality management of the services provided. Applications are due by Friday, July 29, 2016.
Click here to view the posting for Chippewa, Price , Rusk, or Taylor Counties
Click here to view the posting for Milwaukee, Ozaukee, or Washington Counties
Clikc here to view the posting for Ashland, Price, or Sawyer Counties
|
|
Wyoming Seeks HCBS System
The Wyoming Department of Health is seeking a contractor to provide a commercial off the shelf (COTS) system, or previously developed system that is operational and configurable, to support Wyoming's Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waiver Programs. The system will replace the current Electronic Medicaid Waiver System (EMWS) that is used to manage the state's five Medicaid Waiver Programs. The Agency's vision is to acquire a system that contains the functionality of the current EMWS and incorporates the functionality for medical assessments, currently housed in the Public Health Nurse Informatics System (PHNI), and functionality for provider enrollment, re-enrollment, credentialing, re-credentialing, certification, and re-certification, currently housed in the Information Management for Providers System (IMPROV). The awarded contract will include three base years beginning on January 1, 2017, or when the transition phase criteria are met. Three additional one year extensions will be available based on the vendor and system performance. Proposals will be accepted through the Public Purchase online bidding system until Monday, July 18, 2016, at 4:00 p.m. ET.
|
Partnerships in Employment Systems Change
The Administration for Community Living (ACL) released the Partnerships in Employment Systems Change grant. The purpose of the funding opportunity is to encourage state partnerships and systems change efforts that will contribute to the 1) the development of policies that support competitive employment in integrated settings as the first and desired outcome for youth and young adults with developmental disabilities including intellectual disabilities; 2) the removal of systemic barriers to competitive employment in integrated settings; 3) the implementation of strategies and best practices that improve employment outcomes for youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities; and 4) enhanced statewide collaborations that can facilitate the transition process from secondary to post-secondary school, or other pre-vocational settings, to complete employment in integrated settings. Eligible applicants include state and local governments, public and private institutions of higher education, independent school districts, nonprofit organizations, and public housing authorities. All applications are due by Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
|
Building the Business Capacity of Community-Based Aging and Disability Networks for Integrated Services Partnerships
The Administration for Community Living (ACL) announced two new funding opportunities that seek to expand the readiness of community-based aging and disability organizations (CBO) for contracting with integrated care entities, and prepare state agencies and CBOs to be active stakeholders and partners in the development and implementation of integrated care systems.
The Learning Collaboratives for Advanced Business Acumen Skills initiative is intended to achieve the following tasks: organize and conduct three to five topically-based action learning collaboratives to address issues such as continuous quality improvement, infrastructure and technology, generating and maintaining volume, data pooling, and more; provide targeted technical assistance to networks of CBOs; and create knowledge and capture insights through these collaboratives to incorporate into future curriculum for national dissemination.
The purpose of the Business Acumen for Disability Organizations initiative is to develop baseline knowledge about the content and infrastructure needs of CBOs through surveys and feasibility studies; and utilize a learning collaborative model to provide targeted technical assistance to up to 15 state coalitions of CBOs that seek to build their business capacity to contract with health care entities (e.g. hospitals, health systems, accountable care organizations, managed/integrated care plans).
The original closing date for both applications was Monday, July 11, 2016. ACL extended the closing date to 11:59 p.m. ET on Thursday, July 28, 2016, for both applications.
|
|
Disability Employment Initiative
The Department of Labor Employment and Training Administrated announced a new grant opportunity, the Round VII of the Disability Employment Initiative (DEI). The purpose of the program is to provide funding to expand the capacity of American Job Centers (AJCs) to improve the employment outcomes of three population focus areas: 1) adults with visible and non-visible disabilities, including those who have acquired disabilities in adulthood; 2) youth with visible and non-visible disabilities, including those who have chronic health conditions; and 3) individuals (ages 14 and older) with significant disabilities. The DEI plans to accomplish this by increasing participation in career pathways systems and existing programs in the public workforce system in partnership with vocational rehabilitation, community colleges and other education, human service, and business partners. Capitalizing on the flexibility that the career pathways model provides to use innovative service delivery strategies, grantees will use the award to support job-driven approaches in their pre-existing career pathway systems and programs. This will further equip individuals with disabilities with the skills, competencies, and credentials necessary to help them obtain in-demand jobs, increase earnings, and advance their careers. The Department intends to award at least one cooperative agreement in each of three population focus areas. Applications are due by Monday, August 1, 2016 at 4:00 p.m. ET.
|
New York Seeks HCBS Contractor
The New York State's Department of Health (DOH), Office of Health Insurance Programs, Division of Long Term Care has issued a request for proposals to hire a contractor to help the State implement their Statewide Transition Plan required under the federal HCBS Waiver Rule (CMS 2249-F/CMS 2296-F). The contractor will work to ensure that settings across all agencies serving individuals with disabilities are compliant with the new rule. This is a three-year contract to ensure compliance across the State by March 17, 2019. The contractor will assist state personnel in assessing and remediating residential and non-residential settings to ensure that they meet the requirements of the HCBS rule where Medicaid-funded home and community based services are provided under the authorities of 1915(c), 1915(k) and the 1115 waiver demonstration.
Activities will include: 1) Site visits to assess compliance; implement corrective actions plans, when necessary; and ensure that compliance has been achieved; 2) Participant and stakeholder interviews to ensure that individual's receiving Medicaid-funded HCBS are receiving person-centered care and that any modifications to settings are appropriately individualized; 3) Data collection and reporting to ensure that the State is carrying out its Statewide Transition Plan; 4) Identifying sites that will require an additional federal review called "heightened scrutiny" in order to be allowed as sites for participants in Medicaid-funded HCBS to live and/or receive services (sites that are presumed institutional); 5) Compiling evidence packages that include public comment on all sites presumed to be institutional under the rule to show that they have the characteristics and qualities of an appropriate home and community based setting; and 6) Establishing a monitoring plan and tools using the State's existing surveillance schedules and staff to ensure ongoing compliance. Submissions are due by Tuesday, August 2, 2016 at 5:00 p.m. ET.
|
|
Native American Independent Living Demonstration Project
The Administration for Community Living (ACL), Independent Living Administration (ILA), announced a new funding opportunity that intends to 1) gain an increased understanding of service needs of Native Americans with disabilities living in Indian Country; 2) improve cultural competence in regards to the needs of specific tribal organizations targeted by current (Centers for Independent Living) CIL grantees; and 3) capture lessons learned and best practices for outreach and service delivery for Native Americans with disabilities, a traditionally under-served population. To achieve these goals, ACL is seeking applications from existing CIL grantees to develop capacity and demonstrate how to provide the five CIL core services in Indian Country. The grant application is due by Tuesday, August 16, 2016 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
|
|
Community-Based Palliative Care Delivery for Adult Patients with Advanced Illnesses and their Caregivers
The Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) posted a notice of an upcoming funding opportunity to: a) support care planning for adult patients with advanced illnesses over time that is consistent with the goals and preferences of adult patients and their caregivers, and b) support the delivery of coordinated, community-based palliative care that effectively implements those care plans. PCORI seeks to fund multiple, large, multi-site, community-based comparative effectiveness research (CER) studies to generate evidence in support of this goal. The funding announcement will be released in August 2016. The deadline for Letters of Intent (LOI) is Wednesday, September 14, 2016.
|
Subscribe
Click here to subscribe to Friday Update or other NASUAD news updates.
|
|
