COVID-19 Guidance Office Hours. Yesterday you received a provider alert ODHS-23-013-CBC-NF sharing that ODHS & OHA will host “office hours” session for LTCF to answer questions about the recently published COVID-19 Guidance. This session is being held as a direct result of our members continued questions and concerns. If you have any lingering questions about COVID-19 compliance, we strongly encourage you to attend this session.  

Nominations in Excellence. As we prepare for the May 9-12, 2023 LeadingAge Oregon Annual Conference, we’re once again excited to hear of the amazing employees and programs in your community! Please take a moment to consider: Has an employee enhanced the quality of service and life at your facility or in the community by going “above and beyond” the customary expectations of her/his position? Has an individual or team developed a creative and innovative program to benefit older adults? If so, please nominate someone for the 2023 Unsung Hero, Caring Spirit, and Innovative Program of the Year Awards. Nominations must be submitted by March 24, 2023. Submit nominations here.

Legislative Session Updates
One month into the 2023 Legislative Session, 2,347 bills have been introduced. As of today, LeadingAge Oregon is monitoring 83 bills. You can access the bills we’re currently monitoring here; with the highest priority bills highlighted in yellow. This week LeadingAge Oregon submitted testimony supporting House Bill 2600 expanding the representation on the Oregon State Board of Nursing to consider the care setting and ultimately to include individuals from the long-term care sector. 

Oregon’s Health Care Workforce Needs Assessment 2023
Oregon State University released the 2023 report. While the conclusions of the report are predictable, the report does offer interesting data around employment trends, and challenges facing the long-term care workforce.

Survey on Bed Census/Workforce
There are still several hundred CBC and NFs that have not yet completed the state’s bed census workforce survey. If your community hasn’t yet completed it, please do! The results of the survey inform how the state will direct resources to benefit providers and long term care facilities. 

DHS Provider Alerts You May Have Missed: 
*Please note the State frequently modifies the alerts and it breaks the links provided below. If you have any issues, this link should always take you to all of the alerts. 

• ODHS-23-013-CBC-NF – ODHS & OHA Office Hours re: COVID-19 Guidance

Meeting to be held on Friday, February 24th, 2023, 1:00pm – 2:00pm PST 

• ODHS-23-012-CBC-NF - RN Scholarship Opportunities – Gero Nurse Prep Course for LTC RNs
• ODHS-23-011-CBC-NF - February Bed Census Workforce Survey

Get Real On Ratios Update
On February 10, Senate Aging Committee Chairman Bob Casey from Pennsylvania and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden from Oregon led a multi-member letter to CMS regarding upcoming regulations to create a meaningful minimum staffing standard. In a promising development, the letter raised many of the same points covered in LeadingAge’s Get Real on Ratios proposal, such as recognizing the critical need for adequate reimbursement, acknowledging that one size does not fit all, and noting that workforce shortages must be addressed with additional support.

HUD Deadline Approaching to Opt-Out of NSPIRE Demonstration
Beginning April 1, HUD-assisted properties enrolled in HUD's NSPIRE Demonstration program will switch from receiving "advisory" housing safety inspections to receiving "inspections of record." Properties who want to opt out of the demonstration program because of the change to scored inspections must do so by submitting a request via email to [email protected] by March 1. HUD's announcement is available here. 

HUD Publishes LeadingAge-Driven Guidance for Supportive Services Funding in Senior Housing
On February 9, HUD published LeadingAge national driven guidance on the supportive services fee for Section 202 PRAC properties. The additional budget allotment helps HUD-assisted properties provide independent living services to older adults aging in community. The fee, which can total between $15-$27 per unit per month at Section 202 PRAC properties, funds services and activities outlined by a supportive services plan submitted to HUD by eligible properties. We’re thrilled to see the guidance issued from HUD on this important funding source for services in senior housing. 

Senate HELP Committee Announces a Health Care Workforce Shortages Hearing
A full Committee hearing, “Examining Health Care Workforce Shortages: Where Do We Go From Here?” will be held on February 16th, 2023, at 7am Pacific. The hearing focus is more broadly on addressing the health care worker shortage our country is facing, including nurses, doctors, dentist, and mental health services providers. LeadingAge national will submit a statement for the hearing record, highlighting the dire straits of aging services workforce professionals, and the need for congressional engagement. You can view the hearing on the HELP Committee’s website, here.

HHS Holds Call on End of the Public Health Emergency 
On February 13, 2023, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) hosted a stakeholder call to share information about the end of the public health emergency (PHE) set to expire May 11, 2023. CMS also sent a roadmap to governors detailing the changes and what remains in place at the end of the PHE. Read key points from the call here. 

Diversify Your Candidate Pool
The value of having a diverse team is significant, yet many organizations still struggle to recruit diverse applicants. Not sure where to start to get job postings in front of job seekers with diverse backgrounds? Check out these resources to see if there are sites that might help diversify your candidate pool:

• Hire Learning
• Professional Diversity Network
• AAUW.org

Eagle Crest Resort
May 9-12, 2023

Business Partners: Are you interested in participating in the Trade Show? Contact Rob West [email protected]

Care Area Assessment Review (CAA)
March 9, 2023
Time: 9-1pm
Register Here

Nursing Practice in Community Based Care (CBC)
3 Day Webinar  |  March 14-16, 2023
Time: 9-2pm
Register Here

Navigating MDS 3.0 RAI Training for Nursing Facility Staff (MDS)
3 Day Webinar  |  May 24-26, 2023
Time: 9-1pm 
Register Here

Visit our Education Page to discover more classes and webinars