January 25, 2023
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Membership Reminder: As a reminder, the renewal deadline for your KHCA/KCAL membership is March 31st. We strive to give you a highly-valued return on your dues investment, and we look forward to serving you in the year ahead. 

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your membership status, please contact Kristin Plantz kplantz@khca.org.
The Latest News
1 Day Left!

1 day left to apply for a 2023 National Quality Award! The deadline to submit a 2023 Quality Award application is tomorrow, Thursday, January 26, 2023.Visit ahcancal.org/QualityAward to LOGIN to access the Portal and submit your application. You have almost reached the finish line!
THIS FRIDAY! KCAL District 5 Round Table- Friday, January 27, 2023 from 2:00 - 3:30PM in Wichita, KS

Assisted Living Round Table with KCAL Board Members Jennifer Scheck and Kasey Breidenthal and KHCA/KCAL President/CEO Linda MowBray. This includes ALL Assisted Livings, Home Plus and Residential Health Care Communities in District 5. (See image for counties included in this district.) You do not have to be a KCAL Member to attend.

Topics of Discussion:
  • Information sharing about trends in our communities
  • Kansas Legislative topics affecting AL Providers
  • HCBS Final Rule Setting
  • Additional participant led discussion

Location:
Alzheimer's Association
1820 E Douglas Ave.
Wichita, KS 67214

RSVP:
If you plan to attend this meeting, please RSVP to the KHCA/KCAL office by emailing Jennafer Sumner (jsumner@khca.org). Please indicate your name, what community you are with, and a phone number where you can be reached. Jennafer will then send you a calendar invite.
HCS/NCAL Assisted Living Report Released

The 2022-2023 Assisted Living Report, published by HCS and supported by NCAL, is now available. Click here for the press release that includes data on increased hourly rates for Resident Assistants as well as decreased turnover rates and more. Reminder -- The discounted rate for NCAL/AHCA members is $300 versus the $375 non-member price.  
In Case You Missed It
Senators Urge Biden Administration To Stop Plan To Mandate Nursing Home Staffing Levels

McKnight’s Long-Term Care News (1/24, Towhey) reports "a bipartisan group of US senators representing rural states is calling on the Biden Administration to halt its plan to mandate staffing levels in nursing homes, saying it’s the wrong step to take as facilities are already struggling to retain and hire professional staff." The letter from 13 senators to CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure said, "We fear a one-size-fits-all staffing mandate would undermine access to care for patients, particularly in rural communities." AHCA and LeadingAge "have both said they cannot support a national staffing mandate without financial backing and recognition of the sector’s current workforce limitations." North Dakota Long Term Care Association President Shelly Peterson said, "We are in a full-blown crisis and a staffing mandate will not help produce the staff we need and desire." Meanwhile, "the Virginia Health Care Association agreed to support legislation requiring at least 3.08 hours per resident per day after tying that to financial incentives for facilities." 
FDA proposes two annual COVID shots for seniors in ‘simplified’ vaccine schedule

In an effort to streamline COVID-19 protection, older adults and others vulnerable to severe disease would receive two annual shots of an updated vaccine, according to a plan to be evaluated on Thursday by FDA advisers. READ MORE
Education Spotlight
MDS Workshop

This workshop has been specifically created for MDS Coordinators that have been in the MDS position for less than 5 years.  It is also recommend for Administrators to attend to further understand the MDS process. This program also serves as a refresher for those who want to brush up to make sure they are up to date on the most current information. Seating is limited. Register early to assure you have a seat.  Registration Includes: Two full days of in person training (Feb 7-8 in Olathe) AND two full days of Virtual Training (March 1 and March 8).
Upcoming Education
Administrator in Training (AIT) Program

We are excited to announce our new AIT Program! All the details can be found here: https://conta.cc/3ixevxG

Questions? Email Teresa Keating at tkeating@khca.org
Attention Assisted Living and Home Plus Providers: FCS Refresher

We have frequent requests for FCS refreshers and people who want to attend the FCS section only of the Operators course. We now have it available on demand in a 75 minute webinar. It’s worth 1.5 CE’s on demand.

$20 Member Discount Code: KHCA018
Click here for more details.
Webinar: 5-Star Work Plan A to Z: Quality Measure Domain: Part 1

2/1/2023 1:30PM-2:30PM

Click here for more details.
Webinar: 5-Star Work Plan A to Z: Quality Measure Domain: Part 2

2/8/2023 1:30PM-2:30PM

Click here for more details.
MDS Workshop

Feb 7-8 in Olathe AND two full days of Virtual Training March 1 and March 8.

Click here for more details.
Assisted Living Lunch and Learn: Survey Preparedness and Plans of Correction

2/10/2023 10:00AM-2:00PM

Click here for more details.
Webinar: Deep Dive Into Federal Regulations in a Year: §483.12 Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation

2/14/2023 1:30PM-3:00PM

Click here for more details.
Virtual Adult Care Home Operators Course

2/15/2023 9am 2/28/2023 3pm

Click here for more details.
Webinar: 5-Star Work Plan A to Z: Quality Measure Domain: Part 3

2/15/2023 1:30PM-2:30PM

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. The SNF in-service on Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation has been updated to reflect Phase 3 information.

Access the new learning platform by clicking here. 

Questions about education can be directed to Polly Berkley VP of Operations and Education.
Mark Your Calendar for these 2023 Dates!
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