News

Last year, we recognized the first fifty-one LeadingAge Minnesota members who had been named to the Safe Care for Seniors Action Honor Roll. This year we are on track to recognize several additional organizations that have demonstrated key actions within each of the 5 Safe Care Action Steps. We will also be recognizing our first group of members who have achieved the highest level of Safe Care – the Excellence Level.

The Minnesota Department of Human Services, through the Nursing Facility Rates and Policy (NFRP) Division and the State Civil Monetary Penalties (CMP) Initiative, is seeking proposals from qualified Minnesota Medicaid-Certified Nursing Facilities that are interested in implementing a Cycling Without Age (CWA) Program.

The Aging and Adult Services Division at the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) is seeking proposals from providers to improve the overall quality of customized living services. Qualified responders must have provided customized living services in calendar year 2020 (i.e., between Jan. 1, 2020, and Dec. 31, 2020) to people on the following waivers:

Two grant opportunities are available to support community-based services and dementia care: Live Well at Home Grants through the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) and Dementia Grants through the Minnesota Board on Aging.

The LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation (LAMF) has just been awarded $475,000 in funding to provide COVID grants to rural LeadingAge Minnesota members.

LeadingAge Minnesota recently mailed out complimentary copies of the 2020 compensation reports for nursing facilities and senior housing providers to members who participated in those surveys. Copies of those reports are now available for purchase by members who did not participate.

Livanta, the Quality Improvement Organization for Minnesota, announced a change in how it will communicate with providers on appeals cases. What follows is an alert Livanta issued on Feb. 1.

A new job board is launching soon on LeadingAge Minnesota’s AgingServicesJobs.Org website. Recruitment is a key initiative of our workforce strategy, and the new vendor will provide this important service for members within the next few weeks.

Featuring Susan Hildebrandt, VP of Workforce Initiatives at LeadingAge

There is still time to complete your survey! In 2021, LeadingAge National is helping provider members focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) as a key component of its recently adopted strategic plan. Over the next 3 years, LeadingAge aims to offer all member organizations the tools and resources they need to develop a more diverse and inclusive workforce, and this effort begins with you.

Featuring Susan Hildebrandt, VP of Workforce Initiatives at LeadingAge

We need your help! In 2021, LeadingAge National is helping provider members focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) as a key component of its recently adopted strategic plan. Over the next 3 years, LeadingAge aims to offer all member organizations the tools and resources they need to develop a more diverse and inclusive workforce, and this effort begins with you.

We are happy to announce that Matt Steele has joined LeadingAge Minnesota as the Director of Government Affairs. Matt joins the advocacy team, focusing his work on legislative policy solutions.

In December, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) published Proposed Rules and Notice of Hearing in the State Register. This effectively begins the formal public comment period on the proposed rules that will govern licensed assisted living settings after Aug. 1, 2021. This is a significant advocacy opportunity for LeadingAge Minnesota members, as the process invites the public to weigh in on the rules and express support or concerns.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is now accepting applications for the position of Heath Regulation Division Director. A summary of the role, a list of qualifications and a channel for submitting an application are available through this job posting.

Last week, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) published Proposed Rules and Notice of Hearing in the State Register. This effectively begins the formal public comment period on the proposed rules that will govern licensed assisted living settings after Aug. 1, 2021. This is a significant advocacy opportunity for LeadingAge Minnesota members, as the process invites the public to weigh in on the rules and express support or concerns.

Minnesota's Serious Illness Action Network

To address urgent needs in serious illness care during (COVID-19), Stratis Health and Minnesota Network of Hospice & Palliative Care (MNHPC) convened a virtual forum in August 2020, resulting in a new report that includes action plans for the pandemic and beyond.

We are proud to announce the 2020 Leadership Academy cohort has completed their program year in the most remarkable of circumstances. In a year like none other, this year’s class of 26 fellows gathered entirely in the virtual world for personal and professional leadership development, concluding with last week’s session on Transformational Leadership.

The Minnesota Health Care Loan Forgiveness program cycle is now open and accepting applications through Jan. 15, 2021. The Loan Forgiveness program is available for various health care professio

LeadingAge National has launched a new podcast called The Mentor’s Voice. This podcast, available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, and other platforms, provides students and young professionals an opportunity to candidly learn from leaders in the field of aging. The goal is to disseminate wisdom and knowledge to emerging leaders and to inspire and inform their career journey.

Skilled nursing facilities have the ability to train caregivers quickly using the Basic Care Aide and Paid Feeding Assistant programs from EduCare. The expedited training programs are eligible under the current 1135 waiver, allowing you to train Basic Care Aides in just 9 hours and paid feeding assistants within 2 hours. Basic Care Aides are eligible to work in place of traditional nursing assistants.

Appropriate use of gloves and hand hygiene practices related to glove use is an important component of effective infection prevention practices and is a practice that is frequently cited during infection control surveys.