Feb. 12, 2020
Featured
Gov. Tim Walz: One Minnesota Requires an Age-Friendly Lens
On February 12, 2020 by Jodi Boyne
Governor Tim Walz joined the LeadingAge Minnesota Institute & Expo last week to present the Caregiver of the Year Award, express his appreciation for professional caregivers and share his vision for an Age-Friendly Minnesota.
Legislators Kick-Off the 2020 Legislative Session; We’re Ready to Advocate for You
On February 12, 2020 by Libbie Chapuran
Yesterday marked the first day of Minnesota’s 2020 legislative session and we are ready to advocate for you, maximizing our time at the State Capitol advocating for several public policy solutions this session that will benefit the seniors you serve and their caregivers.
Amanda Gruber, Household Coordinator at Three Links, Named Caregiver of the Year
On February 12, 2020 by Jodi Boyne
Amanda Gruber, a Household Coordinator at Three Links Northfield, has been named the Caregiver of the Year by LeadingAge Minnesota. The award was presented to Amanda during last week’s Institute & Expo by Governor Tim Walz.
State
DHS Publishes New Report on Assisted Living Report Card
On February 12, 2020 by Bobbie Guidry
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has published a new report related to the development of the Minnesota assisted living report card. Once complete, the report card will measure and report on the quality of assisted living settings across Minnesota.
Enhanced Barrier Precautions for Care Centers
On February 12, 2020 by Jonathan Lips
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Infection Control Assessment and Response Program (ICAR) issued a notice on Jan. 31 to alert care centers that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released interim guidance on the implementation of Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBP) in July 2019.
MDH Hosts Nursing Home Regulatory Call on March 9
On February 12, 2020 by Jonathan Lips
Save the Date: The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) will host a statewide Nursing Home Regulatory call on March 9 from 11 a.m. to Noon.
Federal
CMS Urges Healthcare Settings to Prepare for Possibility of Coronavirus
On February 12, 2020 by Jonathan Lips
As concerns arise with the emerging 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) threat, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is encouraging all healthcare settings to carefully review information provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
New CMS Block Grant Waivers Could Endanger Funding
On February 12, 2020 by Jodi Boyne
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published a state Medicaid director's letter on Jan. 30 outlining how states can apply for Medicaid block grant waivers. We oppose Medicaid block grants and similar initiatives that would limit Medicaid funding, including per capita caps.
President Trump Releases Budget
On February 12, 2020 by Jodi Boyne
President Donald Trump this week released A Budget for America’s Future, which includes $4 trillion in mandatory and discretionary budget cuts in FY 2021 that would result in significant reductions to federal health care spending, including Medicare and Medicaid and other entitlement programs.
Notable
New Study Will Identify Economic Benefit of Workforce Investments
On February 12, 2020 by Jodi Boyne
What’s the Economic Benefit of Workforce Investments? A new LeadingAge study will attempt to answer this question by exploring how increased compensation for direct care workers could favorably impact the national economy, the field of long-term services and supports and individual direct care workers.
Member
12 Providers Recognized for Quality and Performance Excellence
On February 12, 2020 by Julie Apold
LeadingAge Minnesota last week recognized 12 aging services providers for their achievements in quality, continuous improvement and performance excellence. Awards of Merit for Performance Excellence in Aging Services were provided to eight members and four members were recognized with the advanced Award of Honor. The providers are:
38 Leadership Academy Fellows Recognized at Institute
On February 12, 2020 by Jodi Boyne
Leadership Academy celebrated its 10th Anniversary and 300th graduate when 38 fellows were recognized during last week’s Institute & Expo.
VOA Receives Section 2020 Housing for the Elderly Grant
On February 12, 2020 by Jodi Boyne
Volunteers of America in Minnesota is one of 18 aging services providers who received new grant funding from the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) to support affordable housing for older adults.
Education
Engage Front Line Staff in ICan to Improve Quality
On January 21, 2020 by Jenna Kellerman
Are you ready to engage your front-line staff in quality improvmeent? Register today for a webinar on Feb. 25 at 10 a.m. to learn more about our ICan: Driving Quality and Innovation from the Front-Line program and how your team could win $500 in our kick-off conteast.
Your Journey to Performance Excellence Begins in March
On February 12, 2020 by Julie Apold
When it comes to quality, you can’t afford to wait. Simply addressing and attempting improvement opportunities as individual initiatives is not enough. Join us in March for two opportunities to start your comprehensive journey that will align your existing work and resources to help you achieve Performance Excellence in Aging Services.