October 6, 2022
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The Latest News
LTSS Commissioner Announcement - Kansas Department for Aging and Disabilities Services

Secretary Laura Howard would like to announce that Mandy Flower, currently Assistant Commissioner of Long-Term Services and Supports, has been appointed as Interim LTSS Commissioner effective October 17th, 2022. Mandy began her career at KDADS as the Director of HCBS Initiatives. She will fill the role of outgoing Commissioner Amy Penrod. READ MORE
The Trumpet - A publication from the Kansas Office of the State Fire Marshal 

The October 2022 issue of The Trumpet is out! Follow the link below for access to important information on our Firefighter Recruitment & Safety Grant.
Grants For Nursing Expansion Grant Program

McKnight’s Senior Living (10/6, Gaivin) reports, "The Department of Labor will beef up its Nursing Expansion Grant Program with $80 million in grants, the department announced Monday." The American Health Care Association / National Center for Assisted Living said, "The funding covers nursing at all levels, including ‘paraprofessional’ staff like (certified nursing assistants), so grant recipients can target the funding to the areas of greatest need. The funding covers recruitment and retention efforts as well, which is important to consider as we look at longer term solutions. This is a great way to build partnerships to develop the continuum of staff in our settings." AHCA / NCAL also "called the funding ‘welcome news,’ but added that ‘much more is still needed to address the nationwide nursing shortage and specifically, the long-term care labor crisis." Administered through "the Labor Department’s Employment and Training Administration, the H-1B Skills Training Grants emphasize training people from historically marginalized and underrepresented populations to bring greater employment equity in underserved communities." 
In Case You Missed It
Focus F-Tag of the Week: §483.95 – Training Requirements

Each week through October, AHCA will be focusing on a particular F-tag(s) to help providers break down the Phase 2 updates and Phase 3 new guidance.
§483.95 – Training Requirements

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) made changes to the §483.95-Training Requirements: 

  • F940-Training Requirements. Added new guidance for the stem requirements for all training tags. 
  • F941-Communication. Added new guidance for communication. 
  • F942-Resident Rights Training. Added new guidance for training related to Resident Rights and Facility Responsibilities. 
  • F944- QAPI Program. Added QAPI program mandatory training. 
  • F945- Infection Control Training. Added new guidance for training related to infection control. 
  • F946- Compliance and Ethics Training. Added annual training requirement for organizations with 5 or more facilities. 
  • F947- In-service Training for Nurse Aides. Added new guidance for training related to nurse aides. 
  • F949- Behavioral Health Training. Added new guidance for training related to Behavioral Health.

AHCA members may also refer to an existing member resource: 

Detailed information can be found in the Appendix PP-State Operations Manual.
Please email regulatory@ahca.org for additional questions or visit the Survey Preparedness page for more information.
Campaign Update Call with Laura Kelly & Derek Schmidt - Hosted by KHCA/KCAL Lobbyist Federico//Duerst Consulting Group

GOVERNOR LAURA KELLY CALL:
Thursday, October 6 from 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM CT. 
 
ATTORNEY GENERAL DEREK SCHMIDT CALL:
Wednesday, October 12 from 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM CT
 
REGISTRATION:
Should you, or anyone in your organization choose to join the calls, we ask that you register by clicking here. Call-in information will be sent at a later date, prior to the calls. Participants need only register once and will receive dial-in information for both calls.
Hurricane Ian Relief Fund

Hurricane Ian left a path of damage and destruction along many areas of Florida, impacting the lives of thousands of heroic caregivers working in Florida nursing centers and assisted living facilities.

Florida Health Care Association has established a relief fund through their Education and Development Foundation. If you are interested in contributing to relief efforts, click here for more information and a link to donate.
Upcoming Education
Virtual Adult Care Home Operators Course

DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION IS OCTOBER 12, 2022

10/16/2022 - 11/1/2022

Click here for more details.
Webinar: The Proficient Infection Preventionist Series: Expert Outbreak Management for the Infection Preventionist

10/18/2022 1:30PM-2:30PM

Click here for more details.
Webinar: Survey Top 10 Citation Series - Survey Success! Avoiding Top Citations. #10 Top Citation: F758 Free from Unnecessary Psychotropic Meds/PRN Use


11/1/2022 1:30PM-2:30PM

Click here for more details.
Joint Provider Surveyor Training

11/9/2022 8:30AM-4:00PM (Topeka)
11/10/2022 8:30AM-4:00PM (Wichita & Virtual)

Click here for more details.
DON Boot Camp

11/14-17/2022 8:00AM-4:00PM
Olathe, KS

Click here for more details.
Looking for options for required Staff In-Service?

KHCA’s online learning platform is BACK! We’ve loaded the in-services for SNF and for AL first. Many more education sessions to come.

Access the new learning platform by clicking here. 

Questions about education can be directed to Polly Berkley VP of Operations and Education.
Kansas Health Care Association and the Kansas Center for Assisted Living
1100 SW Gage Blvd. | PO Box 4770 | Topeka, KS 66604
PH: 785-267-6003 FAX: 785-267-0833