June 9, 2020
Stay Connected - LeadingAge Illinois COVID-19 Resources
Stay up to date on state and federal COVID-19 information and updates by accessing the LeadingAge Illinois COVID-19 Resources page. You can also engage with other Illinois members through our listservs, connecting you with your peers by provider type. We have now added a COVID-19 listserv . Contact LeadingAge Illinois if you’d like more information about the listservs or would like to join one.

TOP STORIES
Reopening Plan for Illinois
As reported last week, LeadingAge Illinois and the Illinois Health Care Association (IHCA) are working on a comprehensive plan and implementing guidance from CMS in providing recommendations for a safe and phased-in plan on Reopening Strategies for Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Communities .
 
We will be presenting this plan to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH).  As the State continues to navigate the turns of this pandemic, we feel it is imperative that all state agencies and the Governor’s Office support the eventual normalization of nursing home & assisted living operations to the extent possible. Most importantly, we strongly support the exercising of resident rights, dignity and socialization while at the same time ensuring resident safety and resident choice. We will continue to keep you updated on the progress of the plan and any activity around it. 
 
Restore Illinois:
Illinois is currently in Phase three of the Governor’s Restore Illinois program. If regions of the state continue to meet established metrics, the state/regions will move to Phase four at the end of June. Phase four is titled, “Revitalization.” This Phase would mean that the rate of infection among those surveillance tested and the number of patients admitted to the hospital have continued to decline; gatherings of 50 people or fewer are allowed; restaurants and bars reopen; travel resumes; child care and schools reopen under guidance from IDPH and face coverings and social distancing are the norm.
 
LeadingAge QuickCast on Reopening Nursing Homes:
This week’s LeadingAge Knowledge Center QuickCast is Reopening Considerations for Nursing Homes. In this 18-minute QuickCast, LeadingAge’s Jodi Eyigor and Janine Finck-Boyle review guidance from CMS on reopening and the important factors nursing home providers should consider.
LeadingAge Issues Comments on Proposed SNF PPS Rules
LeadingAge submitted comments yesterday on the FY 2021 SNF Prospective Payment System Value Based Purchasing rules. While LeadingAge appreciates the 2.3% market basket update, they note that it will not be sufficient to reflect the new reality of the types and amounts of costs SNFs will still be reckoning with in FY 2021 due to COVID-19.
Testing Resources
LeadingAge Illinois and Value First continue to track resources for testing to provide to our members. We will keep you updated on legitimate information we receive. Here is a look at some of the information and resources we have gathered to date (we will keep a running list updated in the newsletter):
 
Sales Specialist
219.508.6206 (Cell)
844.522.8847 (Support)
631.532.1680 (Fax)
Provides testing, supplies and results

Contact: Brent Branneman
Provides testing, packaging and results ($100 each test)
 
800-533-1710
 
Does not include lab processing.
Expense Tracking Tool Helps Economic Relief Fund Recipients Stay Compliant
The economic relief funding from Congress to help businesses get through the financial challenges brought by COVID-19 feature specific rules for how the funds can be used by health care organizations. Tracking and monitoring is critical, but can be very complicated, especially when funding is received from multiple sources. LeadingAge has collaborated with CliftonLarsonAllen to offer an expense-tracking tool that creates the foundation to organize spending in accordance with compliance and the reporting initiatives that are sure to come. Learn more and purchase access by visiting the CLA website .
STATE
IDPH COVID-19 Webinars Update
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is hosting webinars to provide COVID-19 updates and answer questions from long-term care and congregate residential settings.

 
 
 
 
Webinar attendance is limited. If you cannot register or get in, email Michael Moore .
IDPH will be recording the webinars and sending out the links of the recordings.
  
Governor Pritzker’s Daily Press Conference Updates
Governor JB Pritzker is now conducting the COVID-19 press briefings now only on an as needed basis. He indicated they may be just once per week. Click here to listen. LeadingAge Illinois monitors the briefings daily for information coming directly from the Governor and Dr. Ngozi Ezike, Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). 
FEDERAL
Provider Relief Funds Update
LeadingAge has heard from the HHS Office of the Secretary that 240 providers received Provider Relief Funds yesterday. These are mostly “all Medicaid” providers, with a few in the mix who are not all Medicaid providers, but have changed ownership in the past year. HHS Office of the Secretary reports that they are still working on the final all Medicaid allocations. We will keep you updated on all activity surrounding these funds. 
OTHER NEWS
We Have a New Website
We have exciting news to announce. We have a new website! In addition to a new look and feel, the website now includes improved navigation to search for articles, information, and education; a unique login for each individual; the ability to track attended education; and more. 
 
Logging in to the new website will allow all LeadingAge Illinois members to:
  • access members-only content, such as materials in the resource library and newsletters in the newsletter archive
  • receive member-discounted pricing for webinars and in-person education
  • begin tracking education they have taken
 
To begin, click on 'Log In' in the green box below and log-in using your e-mail address and password.
For security purposes, you will receive your individual password in a separate email shortly after receiving this email. We recommend that you change your password as soon as possible. You can do this by clicking on this link .
 
If at any point you forget your password or need to reset it, you can click the “Lost your password?” link on the log in page.
 
Please take a few minutes to log in, update your information, view resources and member benefits, and peruse upcoming education.
 
Value First PPE Update
The LeadingAge Illinois and Value First team continue to work to keep you updated on PPE and items needed for the reopening phases in your communities. We encourage you to continue to work with your trusted food, medical and janitorial distributors for your supply needs. However, we are also aware our "normal" channels may still be working to catch up with demands and allocations are still in place. See this letter from LeadingAge Illinois/Value First.
LeadingAge Illinois Monthly HUD Member Call Set for June 16
Please join us for the next monthly LeadingAge Illinois HUD Member Update on June 16 at Noon. These calls feature Linda Couch, Vice President of Housing Policy and Juliana Bilowich, Director, Housing Operations and Policy at LeadingAge, Washington, D.C.  You will receive important updates on HUD and COVID-19 issues. There is also time for sharing best practices, asking questions and discussion. RSVP to Jason Speaks . 
Partners in Quality Virtual Visit Held with Member of U.S. Congress
LeadingAge Illinois has now held seven “virtual” visits with legislators at the state and federal levels, which give members in their districts an opportunity to discuss issues and challenges during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
 
Today’s visit was held with U.S. Representative Rodney Davis (R-13th District).  The representative provided an update on activity at the federal level around the COVID-response. Members on the Zoom call gave their stories and experiences during the emergency and asked for his support of funding specifically for aging services providers to cover additional costs for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), cleaning supplies, staffing, and other needs associated with coronavirus.
 
Also discussed was the reopening of senior living communities in Illinois and a request for the representative to support a post-COVID, Bipartisan Congressional Commission to develop a legislative strategy that establishes an infrastructure of aging services that is adequately financed, promotes quality of care and quality of life, and enables all Americans to grow old with dignity.
 
Special thanks to the following members for taking part in today’s visit:
  • Deb Reardanz, President and CEO of Clark Lindsey Village-Urbana
  • Rikki Brady, Vice President Health Services/Administrator, Clark Lindsey Village
  • Steve Koziel, Social Services Director, Clark Lindsey Village
  • Nancy Mella-Oliver, Administrator, Windsor of Savoy
  • Cindy Brewer, Manager, Windsor of Savoy
LeadingAge Live Online Coronavirus Daily Member Update
LeadingAge is hosting daily live online updates each weekday afternoon. Subscribe to "LeadingAge Need to Know" via communications preferences in your MyLeadingAge account to receive email updates. Register for live online updates 5 days/week at 2:30 p.m. through May. You can find an archive of all member updates here . 

Also, if you’re a member of both LeadingAge Illinois and LeadingAge National, stay connected with other LeadingAge National Members and share information and resources through the MyLeadingAge Member Community: COVID-19 . This is a place to connect with your peers to share and discuss everyday practices related to the coronavirus virus. Take a moment now to log into your my.leadingage.org account and join the group to stay connected. LeadingAge also has a COVID-19 webpage with the latest updates, information and resources for members.
EDUCATION
Leadership and the LGBTQ Senior in the Age of COVID-19 (Webinar)
June 23
1:30-2:30 p.m.
1.0 CEs will be offered.
1.0 hours of general CLE credit pending in Illinois, New York and California

Presenters:
  • Donna Sue Johnson, Licensed Social Worker, St. Mary's Center, Inc. / Adult Day Health Center
  • Dan Churchill, Chief Financial Officer, The Admiral at the Lake; Board Member, Project Q, Boston, Massachusetts
  • David Alfini, Esq., Partner, Hinshaw & Culbertson, LLP; Board Member, One Roof Chicago

As a leader, it is important to understand the unique needs of the LGBTQ community and how COVID-19 has impacted them from a clinical and emotional perspective. The presenters will discuss who the LGBTQ population is and why understanding this will help you better serve the population. Additionally, learn how to avoid the risk management pitfalls and take advantage of opportunities with the LGBTQ resident to better understand needs. Registration information will be available soon.

Sponsored by:
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