WALA News for June 3, 2008

  1. New Assisted Living Regional Director for BAL
  2. DHFS will be reorganized, effective July 1, 2008
  3. June 2008 is Wisconsin's Long-Term Caregiver Month!
  4. Fairness in Nursing Home Arbitration Act
  5. New Legislation
  6. BAL Memos to note.

1. New Assisted Living Regional Director for BAL

The Bureau of Assisted Living is very happy to announce that Carolyn Lien has accepted the position of Assisted Living Regional Director of the SERO for the Bureau of Assisted Living.

For the last 6 years Carolyn has worked for DHFS as a Human Services Area Coordinator (Area Administration) for adult services. In that role she has collaborated extensively with our SERO to help improve Assisted Living programs. Prior to that time Carolyn spent 4 years with Washington County Department of Social Services as an Adult Services Supervisor and COP Coordinator. Carolyn has also worked as a Director of Social Services for a nursing home and got her start in health care as an Assistant Manager for a Community Based Residential Facility (CBRF).

Carolyn graduated from Carroll College with a B.A. in Sociology and a minor in Human Services and received her Master's Degree in Social Work from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee. Carolyn brings a unique blend of program knowledge, strong supervisory experience, professionalism and networking and collaboration to this position. Carolyn is also getting married the weekend of May 31st and will begin her position for DQA/BAL on June 8th as Carolyn Happel. Please join me in congratulating and welcoming Carolyn! Letter written by Kevin Coughlin

2. DHFS will be reorganized, effective July 1, 2008

The Department of Health and Family Services will be reorganized, effective July 1, 2008. The Department of Health and Family Services (DHFS) will be renamed the Department of Health Services (DHS) and responsibilities for youth services will be transferred from that Department to the newly created Department of Children and Families.

3. June 2008 is Wisconsin's Long-Term Caregiver Month!

We are pleased to announce that June 2008 is Wisconsin's Long-Term Caregiver Month!  WALA is sponsoring and supporting The Wisconsin's Long Term Care Workforce Alliance's efforts with a campaign that says thank you to Caregivers in Wisconsin. The Alliance's campaign includes a proclamation signed by the Governor, a press release, a radio spot for two weeks in June, and posters to spread the word. We deeply value the hard work and dedication that our members put forth to care for those who are in need of assistance.

We are sending all provider members the poster, a copy of the proclamation, and press release this week. Look for it in our mail! For a complete listing of the radio stations that will run the radio spot, please contact Sarah Bass at the WALA office at sbass@ewala.org or visit the WALA website.

Thank you so much for all that you do, each and every day. This campaign is a step in the right direction; first to tell Wisconsin what your work really means to everyone, and second to get decision makers to take more notice. The Alliance will be continuing this campaign, possibly this fall. Please let WALA know your thoughts and comments in relation to this campaign by emailing or calling the WALA office.

4. Fairness in Nursing Home Arbitration Act

On April 9, 2008, legislation was introduced to the United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary that will invalidate pre-dispute arbitration agreements between a long-term care facility - which includes assisted living - and its residents. A similar bill has also been introduced in the House by Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-CA), co-sponsored by Representatives Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), John Conyers (D-MI), Hank Johnson (D-GA), Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), and William Delahunt (D-MA). The Fairness in Nursing Home Arbitration Act makes void and unenforceable any pre-dispute arbitration agreement between a long-term care facility and any resident of the facility. The Senate Bill's sponsors, Sens. Herbert Kohl (D-Wis. ) and Mel Martinez (R-Fla. ) contend that the new legislation is "narrowly targeted" to protect residents from "losing the right to hold . . . homes accountable in court for negligent and abusive care. "

Brookdale Senior Living arranged a meeting on May 29th with Sen. Kohl's Chief of Staff, Paul Bock and the meeting was positive. Mary Zak-Kowalczyk, Corporate Counsel and Laurie Bebo, President/CEO from Assisted Living Concepts joined Mike Pochowski, Regulatory Affairs Manager and Tim Cesar, Vice President of Legal from Brookdale, who also represented WALA. The meeting lasted about an hour and he was very open to our thoughts and suggestions pertaining to this legislation. Through the course of the meeting, the benefits of arbitration were explained and that this legislation could do more harm than good for everyone, including residents. Overall, Sen. Kohl understands the benefits of arbitration and is open to hearing from long term care providers. Based upon this, it would be beneficial for everyone to contact Sen. Kohl and your Representatives and let them know you have concerns pertaining to this legislation. You can contact Sen. Kohl at 1-800-247-5645 or senator_kohl@kohl.senate.gov.

5. New Legislation

New Legislation (Bills, Resolutions, New Legislation & Administrative Rules)

Legislative Bills & Resolutions: The Regular Session ended on March 13, 2008. Therefore very few if any new bills will be introduced until the next legislative session begins on January 5, 2009.

6. BAL Memos to note

All of these memos can be found by going to the DQA Numbered Memos page on the DHFS website.
*Remember to check this website on a regular basis, as BAL no longer mails memos. *

 

 

 


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