 |
Links to AAHSA.org |
This Week's Top News:
Join Our Campaign to Increase Affordable Senior Housing Funding
Right now, your legislators are finalizing funding for affordable senior housing in 2008. Don't let this time pass you by. Join AAHSA in our fight to increase funding for this valuable program. You can use our new tools to invite your legislators to visit your community, send a letter to the editor, share your residents' stories and more. Get involved now before it is too late. Contact: Alayna Waldrum, (202) 508-9476.
See our housing campaign tools.
Send a sample letter and find more information.
advertisement
Time is Running Out! Apply for an AAHSA Award by April 15
Has someone in your organization created an innovative program? Do you know an individual whose leadership in aging services merits special recognition? Now's the time to tell their story. Nominate an organization or individual for an AAHSA award. AAHSA's awards honor organizations and individuals who have made a commitment to Quality First, who embody excellence in leadership as well as care and service innovation and who are making outstanding contributions to their communities and the aging-services field. The nine award categories are:
- Award of Honor
- Excellence in Leadership Award
- Excellence in the Workplace Award
- Leading-edge Care and Services Award
- Hobart Jackson Cultural Diversity Award
- Dr. Herbert Shore Outstanding Mentor Award
- Excellence in Research and Education Award
- Public Trust Award
- Outstanding Advocacy Award
Apply for an award.
CMS Announces Phased Enforcement of National Provider Identifier Compliance
On April 2, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that providers who, despite good faith efforts, are unable to receive a National Provider Identifier by May 23 will have up to another year to become compliant. Initially, CMS will follow a complaint-driven approach to enforce the NPI requirement, and providers who do not comply will be allowed to implement contingency plans for up to 12 months if they have been making a good faith effort to comply. Contingency plans may not extend beyond May 23, 2008. Contact: Jennifer Hilliard, (202) 508-9444.
Read the CMS guidance.
House Extends Deadline for Low-Income Housing Tax Credit in the Gulf
The House just passed the Katrina Housing Tax Relief Act, H.R. 1562, which would allow Gulf-area properties placed in service by Dec. 31, 2010, to qualify for low-income housing tax credits. This bill will be a tremendous help to providers working to rebuild using tax credit funds who are unable to meet the current deadlines. The legislation is now going to the Senate for consideration. Contact: Alayna Waldrum, (202) 508-9476.
OIG OKs Using Credit Card Affinity Awards
The U.S. Office of the Inspector General (OIG) recently ruled that if a nursing home receives affinity rewards using a credit card to buy items reimbursable by Medicare or Medicaid, the organization can use the rewards to purchase additional items or services or as performance-based compensation for employees. The OIG's opinion concludes that this arrangement does not violate federal anti-kickback laws. Contact: Jennifer Hilliard, (202) 508-9444.
Read the opinion.
Advancing Excellence Campaign Update:
Unprecedented Nursing Home Quality Campaign Has Huge Base of Support
The Advancing Excellence in America's Nursing Homes campaign is the largest and broadest-based coalition of providers, consumers, nurses and other long-term care workers, quality improvement experts, government agencies and others ever organized to improve quality of life for nursing home residents and staff. Now, more than 3,500 nursing homes are working together to lead the way for quality improvement that is comprehensive, sustainable and consumer-focused. Contact: Bruce Rosenthal, (202) 508-9499.
See the extensive list of campaign leaders.
Register for the campaign.
New IRS Web Page Highlights Tax Changes for AAHSA Members
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) created a new Web page outlining the Pension Protection Act's changes to tax laws for tax-exempt organizations. These changes include new requirements for donor-advised funds and supporting organizations, a requirement that exempt organizations with gross receipts under $25,000 file a new annual notice and a requirement that section 501(c)(3) organizations make their unrelated business income tax returns available to the public. Contact: Jennifer Hilliard, (202) 508-9444.
Visit the new IRS site.
 3,200 Covenant signers! Have you signed yet? |
Share it with your staff members and make it your claim to fame. There are two important reasons why your staff should be committed to Quality First: Internally, you will earn their trust and confidence. Externally, they will be able to earn the trust and confidence of residents, clients and their families. Use our sample letter to let your employees know when your organization signs the AAHSA Quality First Covenant or to learn more about your commitment to putting Quality First. Contact: Bruce Rosenthal, (202) 508-9499.
See other resource materials to earn the trust of employees.
Get the Latest Aging-Services News From AAHSA
Our Web site now features a daily round-up of the news affecting our field and the people we serve. The page also includes the latest headlines featuring AAHSA, our state associations and members like you. Please send us any articles that you would like to be included on this page.
Contact: Sarah Mashburn, (202) 508-9492.
Visit the daily clips page.
Order Older Americans Month/Homes for the Aging Week Products Online
If you're planning to celebrate Older Americans Month and Homes for the Aging Week next month, don't forget to order products with the 2007 theme: "Linking Generations." This year's new products include sun visors, magnifying book marks and more. Order today and start planning this important national celebration. Contact: Jenny Mims.
Order the products.
Help Family Caregivers During National Stress Awareness Month
April is National Stress Awareness Month. Take this opportunity to educate the community about your respite programs and how they can help alleviate family caregiver stress. Host an open house for caregivers considering respite care, offer professional caregiving advice or honor these hard-working individuals in your organization's own unique way. Contact: Peter Notarstefano, (202) 508-9406.
Featured Group Purchasing Partner:
Free Program Helps You Improve Employee Retention and Morale
Our partner, Worksite Combined Solutions, created the AAHSA Benefit Communication Program to help you educate employees about the full value of their compensation while expanding the benefits you offer them at no additional cost. With their help, you can show staff their "hidden paychecks" and tackle your workforce challenges at the same time. Contact: Steve Poldervart, (866) 857-2318 Ext. 586.
Learn more about the program.
advertisement
Opportunities Available on AAHSA's Job Mart
Several career opportunities in aging services are now available and listed on Job Mart. Take a look. Pass along the news. If you have a job to post, consider using AAHSA Job Mart. Contact: Phillip Blackmon, (202) 508-9404.
Post a job.
Jobs posted in the past week (March 30 - April 5):
AdministratorCCRC Health Administrator - Charleston, S.C.
CEO/Administrator - Chambersburg, Pa.
Health Centers Administrator - Tulsa, Okla.
Nursing Home Administrator - Arlington Heights, Ill.
Health Services Administrator - Mitchellville, Md.
CEO/President/Executive Director
Chief Executive Officer - West Plains, Mo.
Marketing/Sales/Business Office
Referral Liaison - Chicago, Ill.
Marketing Manager - Chicago, Ill.
Residency Sales Counselor - Sarasota, Fla.
Nursing/Health Care
Director of Nursing - Chicago Area
Other
Facilities Director - Tampa, Fla.
Newsletter Tools
View Past Issues
Subscribe
Advertise
Contact Us
American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging
2519 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008
Tel (866) 783-2242, Fax (202) 783-2255