Norton Receives Distinguished Service Award - At FAHSA's 44th Annual Convention and Exposition, the Association's highest award - the Distinguished Service Award, which is reserved for an individual who has made an outstanding contribution of significant service to FAHSA - was presented to former FAHSA Chair Jack Norton, Executive Director of Mease Manor in Dunedin.

Mr. Norton has held a number of key positions in FAHSA. During his tenure as chair, he established ambitious goals that resulted in the creation of value added services, improved communications and technology, enhanced educational programs, and expanded shared service and supplier programs. He has acted as the FAHSA Investment Chair since 2001 with exceptional results, and his visionary thinking led to the introduction of round table sessions for retirement community members and, later, all member types, as well as the creation of FAHSA's Innovation Exchange Program, which allows members to share creative ideas. When his successor Scott Boord became seriously ill, Mr. Norton was a steady guiding hand for then Chair-elect Judi Buxó. He provided the guidance and support that was needed during a very difficult time. We are proud to recognize Jack Norton as a "leader among leaders" and we thank him for all he has done to make FAHSA a better and stronger organization.

Congratulations to All of FAHSA's 2007 Award Winners - Thank you to all of the communities and individuals who submitted nominees for this year's awards. FAHSA is proud to honor the following outstanding professionals, who were recognized and presented with plaques at our Annual Convention, for their service and leadership.

2007 Chairman's Award - Martin Goetz, CEO, River Garden Hebrew Home / Wolfson Health & Aging Center, Jacksonville
In his many years of leadership, Mr. Goetz has been a valuable resource to the FAHSA community, contributing to the successes of Association and its member communities by sharing his expertise on regulatory and financial issues, brainstorming with staff and public policy committee members on how best to tackle public policy and reimbursement problems, and making contacts with his legislative delegation that contributed to FAHSA's 2007 legislative success with nursing home funding and Florida Senior Care. Chair Buxó, at whose discretion the recipient of this award was selected, noted that Mr. Goetz had been a valuable resource to her during her tenure, and expressed appreciation for his contributions as treasurer.

2007 Executive of the Year - David Ray Miller, Administrator, Sunnyside Village, Sarasota
Mr. Miller has served as a leader with a strong compassionate heart in the same community for 21 years, as the community has grown from a free- standing nursing home to a multi-service retirement community serving more than 400 residents. A friend and mentor to staff and residents, Mr. Miller frequently walks through the health center on weekends late in the evening to let staff know that he is supportive of their work. He participates in mission work in Haiti and sends excess wheelchairs, walkers and other equipment donated by residents to Haiti to help with medical needs. Mr. Miller will be retiring this year. He is a long time FAHSA member and beloved leader who is most deserving of this recognition.

2007 Resident Council Award - The Resident Association at the Estates at Carpenters, Lakeland
The Resident Association at the Estates at Carpenters believes that there is no greater gift than the opportunity for higher education, and is currently making this dream a reality for 14 employees. Over the past 21 years, 180 scholarships have been awarded by the Association totaling over $114,000. The Association also raised money to construct a swimming pool and perimeter wall and led a fund- raising drive to purchase 14 acres of land for the expansion of their health care center. Two Association representatives serve on the community board of directors, providing a resident perspective on decisions that are made by management and the board.

2007 Caregiver of the Year - Rose Brown, CNA/Restorative Aide, Menorah Manor, St. Petersburg
Ms. Brown has been employed as a certified nursing assistant with the same nursing home for 21 years, assuming the position of restorative aide in her second year of service. She has contributed greatly to improving the nursing home's performance in fall prevention, wound care management and pressure ulcer reduction, and works flex shifts to be sure residents are engaged in meaningful and safe activities in the evening to decrease falls. Ms. Brown was described as a shining star who is a role model and mentor to her peers as well as an employee who is dedicated to residents.

2007 Volunteer of the Year -Terri Brodes, Resident, Robert Sharpe Towers in Miami
Ms. Brodes uses her time and talents to help fellow residents who are wheelchair bound, ill or recuperating after hospitalization by shopping for them, picking up mail, and assisting with errands and chores. She helps staff with special events by preparing food, decorating, ensuring that residents in wheelchairs are served, and helping with cleanup. She works in the office when staff needs a helping hand, and recently completed a 20-hour community emergency response team course, which prepared her to assist in the aftermath of a disaster in the case that professional responders are not immediately available.

2007 Employee of the Year - Denise Johnson, Office Manager, Mt. Carmel Gardens in Orange Park
Ms. Johnson has worked in senior housing for 15 years and is much loved by residents. She has applied for and received many loans and grants that have improved resident safety and security. As a result of her efforts, her community now has a state of the art security system, safety bars in resident bathrooms, a sprinkler system, a new chiller for the air conditioning system, an alarm system with outside surveillance capabilities, emergency lighting, and much more. Not surprisingly, her name was submitted by the tenant's association in recognition of her extraordinary service.

2007 Public Servant Award -- Florida Life Care Residents Association (FLiCRA)
FLiCRA has been a valued ally of FAHSA for more than a decade. Together, FAHSA and FLiCRA have achieved many legislative victories including nursing home tort reform, important changes to the nonprofit homes for the aged property tax exemption, and most recently, a revision to the HMO law that strengthens the rights of retirement community residents who join an HMO. FLiCRA is a model for the country. Its leaders guided residents in four other states to launch similar organizations, and were founding members of the National Life Care Residents Association. FLiCRA and its leaders deserve to be recognized and thanked for their contributions to public policy and for their willingness to partner with FAHSA.

Register Now for FAHSA's Survey and Enforcement Issues Webinar, Tuesday, August 21 - Susan Acker, Ph.D., Nursing Services Director, Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), will present a two-hour informational session specifically designed for nursing home administrators and direct care staff from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Aug. 21. Dr. Acker will discuss GPRA goals for certified Long Term Care facilities, Florida's low ranking in Quality Improvement and what Nursing Homes can do to beef up performance with pressure ulcers and restraints, and new CMS materials on the definition of restraints. Other topics will include person centered care and what Nursing Homes can do to enhance the dining process without risking deficiencies, a PASSAR update, an overview of New CMS Guidance on accidents and supervision, and the role of monitors and the help they can provide if asked on care related issues. Dr. Acker will discuss QIS implementation, the increase in Care Planning and Safety Citations under the QIS and what can be done to avoid problems in these areas, and the importance of following the Care Plan and changing it when it no longer reflects what's happening with a resident. Participants may receive up to two hours of continuing education credit. To download a brochure and registration form, please visit http://www.fa hsa.org/calendar.htm . The cutoff for registration is August 14.

Don't Build Yesterday's News -- Take Advantage of AAHSA Planning Resources - Several sessions held in conjunction with FAHSA's 44th Annual Convention were dedicated to the importance of thoughtful and realistic planning for the future. As one speaker cautioned, "You don't want to build yesterday's news." It's important to know what sells and what cutting-edge providers and developers are doing to remain attractive living options. If all is going well and your community is not thinking about repositioning your buildings, services, and amenities for pre-boomers and boomers, you are making a BIG mistake.

AAHSA publications are available to help with strategic planning. "The Long and Winding Road," a 2007 publication, includes a video, focuses on uncertainties with consumer behavior and talent availability. Other resources, also available at www.aahsa.org , provide further guidance on strategic and scenario planning.

Upcoming Workshops:

• August 21 -- Survey and Enforcement from AHCA Webinar
• September 18 & 19 -- FAHSA's Home and Community-Based Services Workshop, Wyndham Jacksonville Riverwalk, Jacksonville
• September 19 & 20 -- FAHSA's Annual HUD and Service Coordinator Workshop, Wyndham Jacksonville Riverwalk, Jacksonville
• October 2 -- QIS Training, Miami, FL
• October 3 & 4 -- FAHSA's Dynamic Directions Advanced Nurse Leadership Workshop, Safety Harbor
• October 5 -- QIS Training, Jacksonville, FL
• October 9 & 10 -- Board of Trustees Meeting, Orlando, FL
• October 11 -- QIS Training, Orlando, FL
• November 15 - FAHSA's Maintenance Workshop, Holiday Inn, Orlando, FL

Central Sprinkler O-Ring Voluntary Replacement Program Ending / Globe Sprinkler Recall -- Central Sprinkler Company and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) have announced an August 31, 2007 deadline to submit claims to participate in the voluntary replacement program for certain "wet" and "dry" O-ring sprinklers manufactured by Central Sprinkler, Gem Sprinkler Company and Star Sprinkler Inc. The CPSC, in cooperation with the Globe Fire Sprinkler Corporation, has also announced a voluntary recall of 300,000 Globe Model J Series Dry Fire Sprinklers brand fire sprinklers sold from January 1990 through December 1999. Read this week's General Alert for more information.

Other General News:

• Department Of Health Officials Emphasize Mosquito-Borne Illness Prevention Measures
• Prepare Residents and Staff for Late Summer Heat Waves
• Publix to Offer Free Prescription Antibiotics

The Latest Guidance on Payment Shortfalls - Several housing members spoke with FAHSA staff last week about their frustration with the HUD funding situation. We have followed up with AAHSA and HUD to get the latest information on this situation. Colleen Bloom, Associate Director of Housing Operations at AAHSA, has sent FAHSA the latest "supplemental" guidance from HUD, as well as additional information about dealing with shortfalls in payments, particularly shortages in reserves. This information has been included in a technical assistance brief that will be sent to members and will be accessible on the FAHSA website as of this afternoon. Please watch your email or log on to www.fahsa.org for more information on this critical issue.

Please be assured that everyone at FAHSA and AAHSA, as well as our multiple contacts in HUD and in Congress, are well aware of the problem with HUD funding and payment gap. Your voice must be heard during this summer break to the Florida members of Congress to maintain the level of attention to this issue and so that they understand the critical nature of this situation. Please invite your local congressional leaders and staff to visit your facility or go visit them. Our Florida congressional leaders receive many requests for funding and we are competing for the limited funds available. It is crucial that affordable housing providers make efforts over these next few weeks to assure that these funds are expedited.

Register Now for FAHSA's HUD Elderly Housing, Service Coordinator and HCBS Workshops, September 18-20 in Jacksonville - The workshops are scheduled to be held at the Jacksonville Wyndham Riverwalk Hotel, beginning with FAHSA's inaugural Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) workshop on Tuesday, Sept. 18, and continuing with housing sessions and joint Service Coordinator / HCBS sessions on Wednesday, Sept. 19, and concluding with a joint Housing and Service Coordinator workshop on Thursday, Sept. 20. A reception, Silent Auction and Exhibit Show will be held Wednesday evening. Watch your mail for detailed brochures and registration forms, or register online at http://www.fa hsa.org/calendar.htm .

Proposed Regulatory Changes for Hospice Providers - Proposed amendments to Rule 58A- 2, Federal Aging Programs, would change licensure requirements, add specific definitions regarding reporting requirements, make changes in reporting requirements, and incorporate a new reporting form by reference. Other changes are intended to develop outcome measures, adopt national initiatives developed by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, and update the Health Care Advance Directives form, which is incorporated by reference. The full text of the proposed rule amendments, as well as the referenced forms, can be found online at http://elderaffairs.state.fl.us/english/rulemaking.ht ml . If your organization is interested in submitting comments on the proposed changes or in requesting a hearing at the Department of Elder Affairs in Tallahassee to participate in the rulemaking discussion, please contact Heather McInnis, FAHSA's Home and Community-Based Services Director, at (850) 671-3700 or via e-mail at hmcinnis@fahsa.o rg . All comments or hearing requests must be received by DOEA no later than August 20. The proposed changes are expected to take effect in late fall.

Senior Mobility in Pinellas County - "Easy Ride" Senior Citizen Transit System to be Launched Oct. 1 - Partially subsidized by the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority, the plan by Neighborly Care Network of St. Petersburg will kick off with 100 passengers in Dunedin and Clearwater, but is expected to go county- wide in time. The new program will provide mini- buses and vans for seniors that need transportation for medical, shopping and other reasons. Passengers will be picked up and dropped off at their homes, reducing the threats of heat exposure and exhaustion faced by seniors relying on traditional public transportation. The vehicles are to be driven primarily by volunteers, including volunteers who hold CDL licenses that allow them to operate larger vehicles. Funding is expected from revenue earned at the network's Shoppe Around the Corner, a Palm Harbor gift shop, and from individual and corporate contributors. This senior transit solution is one of many systems cropping up statewide to deal with senior transportation issues. Senior mobility has been a hot public policy topic on both the state and national levels. The Winter Park Health Foundation published an excellent analysis on the practical and policy issues surrounding senior mobility in 2006, available at http://www.wphf.org/pubs/briefpdfs/Transportati on.pdf . The National Center on Senior Transportation, which opened in January of 2007, also offers a senior mobility toolkit and best practices, at http://www.aoa.gov/prof/transportation/tran sportation_pf.asp . For more information on how your organization can get involved with, utilize, or explore creating a senior transit network, please contact Heather McInnis, FAHSA's Home and Community-Based Services Director, at (850) 671- 3700 or via e-mail at hmcinnis@fahsa.o rg .

Preliminary Assessment of Florida's Experience with Medicaid Reform -- On July 27, a web seminar on Florida's Experience with Medicaid Reform took place. The speaker was Jack Hoadley, Health Policy Analyst with Georgetown University's Health Policy Institute, a group that has been closely following and evaluating what is happening with the Medicaid Reform pilot projects implemented in the Jacksonville and Ft. Lauderdale areas. The event was sponsored by The Jessie Ball duPont Fund, Community Foundation, Jacksonville, and United Way of Northeast Florida.

Four months into the start of the two pilot projects, researchers from Georgetown University's Health Policy Institute held focus groups with Medicaid recipients who were transitioning to managed care. According to the information presented, none of the plans appear to offer richer service packages than traditional Medicaid. They found that while choice is the intended goal of Medicaid reform, the Choice Counselors did not have specific enough information about each plan to allow consumers to make an informed choice. When consumers asked detailed questions, they were told to call the plans that were available to them. Consumers were most concerned about finding a plan in which their physician participated and did not have easy access to comparative information to go beyond that choice. The researchers tried to access comparative data through the internet and said that, while it is available, it is not easy to find. Consumers did understand that there were tradeoffs (some good and some not so good) with Medicaid reform, but they did not have sufficient information to understand what they were. For example, they did not know what extra services or benefits they got in return for choosing a plan with a restricted drug formulary.

Although the findings are preliminary, they are what we have been predicting will happen with Florida Senior Care. Hopefully, the research paper to follow will lead to improved Choice Counseling.

Medicaid Changes Q & A - We have posted a Questions & Answers document on the FAHSA Members Only Page. This is not an official AHCA document, rather it represents our best understanding of how Medicaid is implementing the July 1, 2007 changes. The document addresses reimbursement plan changes, Medicare Part A coinsurance payment issues, and resident responsibility calculations. Examples are also provided. Please contact Erwin Bodo (ebodo@fahsa.org or 850/671-3700) for further details.

AHCA Update on QIS Rollout - AHCA reported this week to us that the QIS rollout, as you know, will be completed by field offices and involves a week of didactic training followed by one mock survey and six surveys of record. Once all AHCA staff are trained and are deemed "certified", the rollout is completed for that office and all certification and follow-up surveys will be done in that area by the QIS process (and no longer by the traditional survey). For more on this issues and those listed below, please access the latest Nursing Home Alert, NH 07-21 dated 8/9/07.

Other Nursing Homes News:

• BONHA Proposed Rule Changes and Clarification to Licensure Eligibility
• AHCA Laundry Fire Prevention Planning Guidelines
• CMS UPDATE: Dissemination of Data from the NPPES to Begin September 4
• FDA Notification of Food Recall-Castleberry Food Company
• CMS Survey & Certification Online Training Courses
• US Senator Wants Poor Facilities Listed
• Bill Filed in US House of Representatives Trims NH Payments

FAHSA's Preferred Business Associates Program (PBAs) -- A list of PBAs can be found by on the FAHSA Web site www.fahsa.org and selecting Preferred Business Associates from the left side menu bar. FAHSA members can also use the on- line directory to search for PBAs by specialty.

FAHSA is pleased to provide an opportunity for you to advertise your "position wanted" or "position available" through the FAHSA Link newsletter and on our Web Page.

FAHSA members may use the Job Mart services at no charge. A nominal fee of $25 will be charged to nonmembers.

Your Job Mart advertisement will be displayed on our Web site for approximately three months. The FAHSA Link is published weekly and distributed to our membership which is comprised of nursing homes, CCRCs, HUD housing, assisted living facilities, independent living facilities and companies/firms.

To reserve advertisement space in our Job Mart program, please complete the application and fax it to FAHSA at (850) 671-3790 or E-mail it to jcopeland@fahsa.org