WALA News for Nov 29, 2006

  1. Upcoming WALA Seminars on Independent Living, Facility Management
  2. OQA Releases Disaster Preparedness Resources
  3. Fire Safety Train-the-Trainer Course Available
  4. OQA Assisted Living Regional Reorganization in January
  5. Keep Your Residents on the No Call List

1. Upcoming WALA Seminars on Independent Living, Facility Management

WALA is kicking off 2007 with a bang by bringing you two seminars on the nuts and bolts of senior living and long-term care. First, on January 23, we will present a NEW program for the growing market of independent senior apartments. David Smith, a nationally recognized consultant on senior living, will present "Relationship-Based Sales for Senior Apartments." His proactive, cost-effective, relationship-based sales approach has been tested in dozens of markets and has a proven record of building occupancy. With a number of assisted living providers already branching out into the independent market, this is a growing area of interest for our industry.

"Relationship-Based Sales for Senior Apartments" will be held on Tuesday, January 23 at the Country Springs Hotel in Pewaukee. Registration is $225 before January 10, which includes lunch.

Then on February 6 and 7 we return with our ever-popular "Administrators and Management Intensive" course. This two-day seminar has sold out each of the last seven years, and with good reason. Participants gain the skills needed to effectively operate a successful assisted living facility, through interactive sessions with industry leaders. It is designed specifically for the new administrator or veteran in search of a refresher.

WALA's "Administrators and Management Intensive" is on Tuesday, February 6 and Wednesday, February 7 at San Camillo in Milwaukee. The cost is $300 for WALA members and $350 for non-members through the January 19 early bird deadline. Plus, all facilities north of Highway 10 receive a 10% discount!

More details on registration, accommodation and the programs themselves are available on the WALA website at or by calling 608/288-0246.

2. OQA Releases Disaster Preparedness Resources

As part of a statewide disaster preparedness initiative, the Office of Quality Assurance is making available a number of resources for providers to take advantage of. The State Expert Panel on Healthcare Facilities has developed programming designed for health care professionals in the event of a disaster, which will be coordinated through OQA. Full details, including links to an evacuation plan, webcasts and more are available in OQA memo 06-027.

3. Fire Safety Train-the-Trainer Course Available

Are you looking to have one of your staff certified to train fire safety? Or are you looking to branch out on your own? Experienced provider and consultant Rose Boron is presenting her fire safety train-the-trainer program in Mosinee on December 4-6. This program will certify participants to teach fire safety in any Wisconsin assisted living facility. Participants will explore fire and its development, discuss adult learning strategies and participate in a live burn.

The cost is $400; participants will provide their own meals and lodging. Contact Rose at 715/693-7146 or RoseEBoron@aol.com with questions or to register.

4. OQA Assisted Living Regional Reorganization in January

Due to growth in the Madison, Milwaukee and Green Bay regions, the OQA Assisted Living Section will be reorganized in January to better balance surveyors' workload. A number of counties will be affected, particularly in metro Milwaukee and the Fox Valley. Counties switching regions are: Bayfield, Richland and Vernon, moving to the Eau Claire region; Marquette, Outagamie, Waushara and Winnebago, to the Rhinelander region; Walworth, to the Madison region; and Washington and Waukesha, to the Green Bay region. More information will be available in the January issue of WALA Watch

5. Keep Your Residents on the No Call List

Many people do not realize that signing up for Wisconsin's popular No Call List only lasts for two years at a time. Individuals who signed up when it was originally established in fall 2002 and renewed two years later have until this Friday, December 1 to renew for 2007-08. The list is updated quarterly, so if a registration deadline is missed it can take up to three months to get back on. Assisted living facilities are specifically permitted under the law to sign up their residents for the No Call List. Signing up is easy; just go online to http://nocall.wisconsin.gov or call 866/966-2255. Only a phone number and a ZIP code are required.

 


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