CCRC Salary Survey - The national average salary of Director of Human Resources in Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) increased 5.98% in 2007 to $62,513, according to the tenth annual AAHSA Continuing Care Retirement Community Salary and Benefits Report, just published by Hospital & Healthcare Compensation Service (HCS). This represents an increase over the 2006 figure of 5.11%.

The Report is published in cooperation with the American Association for Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA).

While base salaries increased for Director of Human Resources, bonuses declined, the national average percent of bonuses paid to salary in 2007 was 5.25%, compared with 10.86% in 2006. Directors of HR in CCRCs with a revenue size from $20,000,000 to $29,999,999 received a national median salary of $66,450, compared with CCRCs with revenues greater than $30,000,000 that received a national median salary of $78,428.

According to the report, CCRC executive directors earn a median salary of $118,675 per year, a 4.9% increase over the 2006 median salary. Nursing home administrators within the communities earn a median annual salary of $84,000.

415 CCRCs participated in the study and provided compensation data on 61,500+ employees nationwide. The Report covers 42 management and 41 non-management positions. Data are reported according to revenue size, total unit size, geographic region and state. Also covered are 21 fringe benefits, turnover rates by department, and projected salary increases for 2007 to 2008. Data are effective as of March 2007.

The complete 272-page Report was available in late June. The cost of the Report is $295. The AAHSA Member price is $225. To order call HCS at (201) 405- 0075 or write to PO Box 376, Oakland, NJ 07436, or visit at www.hhcsinc.com. A separate report covering nursing homes will be available sometime this month.

Pictured from left to right: Mary Ellen Early, FAHSA's Senior Vice President of Public Policy; Joe Ierardi, Board Member of Catholic Charities; Congressman Tim Mahoney; Linda Matz, Administrator, Villa Assumpta; and Dr. Tom Bila, Executive Director, Catholic Charities.

Congressman Mahoney Visits Villa Assumpta -- On Monday, July 9th, Congressman Tim Mahoney (D-Stuart) paid a visit to Villa Assumpta, Jensen Beach, and a FAHSA member community sponsored by the Catholic Diocese of Palm Beach. After touring the community, Congressman Mahoney spoke to a room full of residents, telling them about a major affordable housing bill that he sponsored. H.R. 2930, legislation that was based on a legislative proposal by AAHSA, will benefit Section 202 projects by making it easier for older communities to obtain rental assistance for needy tenants, make repairs and renovation, and reconfigure units to address the preference for one-bedroom apartments. Congressman Mahoney was confident that the bill had a chance of passage in the House. He acknowledged that his resolve to ensure that elder Floridians had access to affordable housing had strengthened since his election because of exposure to communities like Villa Assumpta.

To read the legislation, please click on the following Web site: http://www.mahoney.hou se.gov/images/stories/documents/mahoney_bill.pdf

To send Congressman Mahoney a thank you note for sponsoring this legislation, please click on his Web site and follow directions on the home page: http://www.mah oney.house.gov/

Activity Directors, Administrators, CEOs, CFOs, Clinical Staff, COOs, Directors, Managers, and Service Coordinators -- It's Almost Time - to pack your bags and head to FAHSA's 44th Annual Convention and Exposition at the Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando! In addition to our general sessions, specialized tracks fhave been designed for leadership, clinical professionals, activity professionals, housing and service coordinator professionals, and home and community-based services providers. This wide array of educational offerings will give staff at all organizational levels a wide variety of learning options. Don't miss this opportunity to network with colleagues, hear from national speakers, see the latest technology, products and services, and learn about new regulations and legislation. Register today!

Upcoming Workshops:

• July 29 -- FAHSA's Preceptors Training Program, Rosen Shingle Creek, Orlando, FL
• July 29 -- FAHSA's Strategic Visioning Workshop, Rosen Shingle Creek, Orlando, FL
• July 29 & 30 - FAHSA's Two Day Leadership Intensive: A New leadership Framework for Aging Services, Rosen Shingle Creek, Orlando, FL
• July 29--August 2 -- FAHSA's 44th Annual Convention and Exposition, Rosen Shingle Creek, Orlando, FL
• 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 3 & 4 -- FAHSA's Dynamic Directions Advanced Nurse Leadership Workshop, Safety Harbor
• November 15 - FAHSA's Maintenance Workshop, Holiday Inn, Orlando, FL

AAHSA Fights for Section 202/811 Funding Levels -- To date, 26 members of Congress have signed a letter of support for higher funding levels for the FY 2008 HUD Section 202 program ($750 million) and the Section 811 program ($240 million). This request is only a slight increase over the FY 2007 enacted levels. The Section 202 and 811 programs provide capital grants to nonprofits and community organizations for the development of supportive housing and rental assistance for very low-income seniors and those with disabilities. Both programs provide supportive services coupled with housing to create a safe community and promote an independent life style. Most that live in Section 202 housing units are on fixed incomes and can not afford the rising costs of health care and housing on their own. With an estimated 8.4 million seniors struggling to survive on an annual income of less than $10,000, it is clear that both of these programs must be a priority for the 110th Congress.

Other Housing News:

• Warning - Gaps in Funding May Occur Throughout Summer/Fall
• Congressman Mahoney Visits Villa Assumpta
• NTHDC Answers Question About Reminder Notices
• Weekend Reading: FHFC's 2006 Annual Report Available
• DOEA Publishes 2007 Hurricane Guide
• FHFC to Hold Public Meeting About CWHIP Funding
• Congressman Barney Frank Introduces H.R. 2895
• FAHSA's Vacancy Report
• Question of the Week: Forgivable Loans?

New CMS E-mail Service Available to Keep Providers and Consumers Current -- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will soon offer a new e-mail update service that delivers the latest health care information to citizens' inboxes. Visitors to the www.cms.hhs.gov and www.medicare.gov Web sites can sign up to receive updates on Medicare and Medicaid-related topics throughout the site including Medicare Coverage Updates, Medicare Guidance to Providers, Open Door Forum Announcements, Press Releases, Prescription Drug Coverage, Nursing Home Quality, Medicare publications, claims forms, and much more. With a subscription profile, you automatically receive notices when information is updated rather than having to frequently visit the Web site for changes. If you subscribe to more than one listserv from CMS, you may receive messages and updates more than once. This is a free service provided by CMS. Your e-mail address will only be used to deliver the information you request, or to give you access to your profile of subscriptions. You can change your profile at any time.

CMS Survey and Certification Letter Issued on Communication With the Ombudsman - The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has issued a new Survey and Certification Letter having to do with Communication between State Survey Agencies and State Long-Term Care Ombudsman. The Letter reminds State Agencies of the responsibility to maintain communication with the Office of the State LTC Ombudsman regarding findings of noncompliance and/or adverse actions taken against Nursing Homes. For more on this and the issues listed below, please see the latest Nursing Home Alert, NH 07-19 dated July 12, 2007.

Other Nursing Home News:

• CMS Final Rule on Medicaid Citizenship Policy
• Nursing Home RN Rate Increase - 2007
• CNA In-Service Time Frames
• NH Administrator Rule Available on FAHSA Web site
• Merck Recalls Three Lots of Invanz Injection
• More Information on the NPI
• June 14 NPI Data Dissemination Roundtable Transcript Available
• New CMS E-mail Service Available

Protecting Your Vital Records and Inventory -- In the midst of hurricane season, this article provides timely information on how to protect your business records from natural disasters. This is a great time to review your disaster plan and make sure it includes records and inventory precautions. To read the entire article from Hunt Insurance Group, LLC click HERE.

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