WALA News for August 12, 2009

1. WALA's Annual Autumn Classic - Join Us!

Sign up for our 2009 WALA Autumn Golf Classic today! On September 14, 2009, WALA is pleased to host the 13th Annual Golf Event at an outstanding gold course - University Ridge - just southwest of Madison. Enjoy University Ridge in a friendly, relaxed atmoshere with your WALA friends - whether you are a pro or an amateur - you are welcome!

We are offerinf a special deal for providers now throught September; bring 4 Golfers for the price of 3!

Please see the WALA Website and the WALA Store for more details.

2. Watch for the WALA Compensation Survey in the coming month.

Have you ever wondered what and how other providers are compensating their staff around Wisconsin? WALA has been working months on a Survey that will give you the information that you have been seeking! We are asking all Wisconsin providers to fill out this survey, and in turn, for a small fee, you will be able to obtain a report that has Wisconsin specific salary and benefit information.

Within a month, you will get more information on the survey, and how you will be able to participate. Keep an eye open for this in your mail!

3. CBRF and AFH Administrators Training is back!

WALA has presented their popular two-day training course for beginning to mid-level administrators of CBRFs and AFHs for the last 10 years.  Last year, we presented it three times to sold out crowds.  The course covers a little of everything from training to H/R, budgeting, marketing, leadership and even to tips on how to be a better manager. Even seasoned administrators have found this course useful and it is especially beneficial for those that need a good refresher course!

It will be held Tuesday Sept 22 and Wednesday Sept 23 in Milwaukee as well as Tuesday Sept 29 and Wednesday Sept 30 in Stevens Point. More information will be available soon on the WALA Website!

PLEASE NOTE – this is NOT the course designed to help train new administrators to meet the 83.15 Department Approved Administrators qualifications as the course requirements for the Department Approved course have not yet been issued. However, the Bureau of Assisted Living has encouraged future administrators who need the department approved course to take the WALA course until such time as the course requirements are issued and WALA (and others) can develop that course.  WALA will issue a discount voucher for those who take the current course to attend the department approved course offered by WALA when it becomes available. 

4. More DHS 83 Training Sessions are Available.

DHS 83 training courses are half day courses to help CBRFs understand and implement the new regulatory changes for CBRFs effective April 1. WALA has presented this course to over 900 attendees in every corner of the state. 

WALA is presenting this course:

Monday, September 21 in Milwaukee

Thursday, September 24 in Madison

Monday, September 28 in Stevens Point

* Each course is from 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm.

Even CBRFs who are well along the road to compliance with the new regulations are attending this course to make sure they have not missed anything. And if a CBRF has not yet started the process to become compliant, it is even more imperative they attend in order to understand the changes and how they impact their operations.

In addition, WALA has a number of products to help CBRFs become compliant, including a very comprehensive Quality Comprehensive Worksheet, resident rights posters and other useful tools. More information will be available soon on the WALA Website!

5. New DQA Memos

09-029 Personal Wireless Handheld Device Guidance

The Division of Quality Assurance (DQA) recognizes the value and efficiencies gained by the appropriate use of wireless handheld devices in healthcare settings and does not intend to prevent the legitimate use of new technologies. Rather, the purpose of this memo is to recommend uniform guidelines for the appropriate use of personal wireless handheld devices including, but not limited to, cell phones, cameras, and personal digital assistants (PDA's), as well as raise awareness of the potential for misuse of such devices.

Therefore, DQA recommends that healthcare facilities and nurse aide training programs (further referred to as entities) proactively respond to the potential privacy violations and caregiver misconduct issues that may arise from the use of such devices. This memo contains important information and guidance on the following topics:

WALA recommends that you please read the full memo, and make sure that your policies and procedures are clearly defined for these devices. For more information read the memo at:

http://dhs.wisconsin.gov/rl_dsl/Publications/09-029.htm

09-033/Notice of Change in Certification Fee for Residential Care Apartment Complexes

For more information read the full memo at http://dhs.wisconsin.gov/rl_dsl/Publications/09-033.htm

 

09-034/Notice of Change in Certification Fee for Adult Day Cares

For more information read the full memo at http://dhs.wisconsin.gov/rl_dsl/Publications/09-034.htm  

 

09-035/Notice of Change in Licensing Fee for Adult Family Homes

For more information read the full memo at http://dhs.wisconsin.gov/rl_dsl/Publications/09-035.htm

 

09-036/ Notice of Change in Licensing Fee for Community Based Residential Facilities

For more information read the full memo at http://dhs.wisconsin.gov/rl_dsl/Publications/09-036.htm

Change in license fees - All effective October 1, 2010

 

Biennial Fee

Renew license

Per License Fee

CBRFs

$389.00

Biennial

$50.25

Certified RCAC

$445.00

Annual

$7.60

AFH

$171.00

Biennial

$0.00

Adult Day Care

$127.00

Biennial

$0.00

 

6. New Administrator for the Division of Long Term Care is announced!

Karen Timberlake announced on July 30, 2009 that Susan Crowley will be joining the Division of Long Term Care as the new Administrator. Here is what Karen Timberlake had to say about Susan:

"Susan brings a wealth of knowledge across the human services spectrum and is a strong and effective leader.  I am pleased Susan is joining our Department and know she will be a strong advocate in moving our programs forward as we work to improve services across Wisconsin for the seniors and people with disabilities.

Susan has a vast range of experiences in the human services and health care industries.  She currently serves as Director of Campus Health Initiatives and Prevention Services for University Health Services at UW-Madison. In this role, Susan provides leadership to interdisciplinary health initiatives and develops integrated models of clinical, counseling, and prevention services.

Susan also had a twenty year career at the Dane County Department of Human Services, including serving as Director for the agency.  As Director, she managed services to persons with disabilities and seniors, public health, economic support and work services, Badger Prairie nursing home, and services to youth and families.  A highlight of Susan’s career at Dane County was implementing self-directed services for persons with developmental disabilities.

I'd also like to extend my sincere gratitude to Fredi Bove, who has been serving as Interim Administrator of the division since February.  Fredi's passion and depth knowledge will be a welcome asset as Susan moves into her new role.

 Thank you to Fredi for her leadership during this transition and welcome to Susan!"

 - Karen Timberlake

 7. Opportunity to Train-the-Trainer for Fit-Testing at Your Facility

Information below from the Division of Public Health/WI Department of Health Services

During the recent H1N1 outbreak the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) required health care providers to use NIOSH-certified N95 respirators to protect staff from infection along with the use of other infection control measures. OSHA requires all employers to provide fit testing along with a health assessment and the training necessary for each employee who needs to use a respirator.

The Wisconsin Hospital Emergency Preparedness is sponsoring "Train-the-Trainer" sessions so that staff from your facility can receive the training necessary to provide fit-testing to staff at your facility that need to wear the N95 respirator.

These training sessions will be provided at no cost at various locations throughout the state. In order to help with scheduling, we need to know if your facility is interested in sending in this training opportunity. You are requested to click on the following link to take a brief survey: https://doa.wi.gov/DHSSurveys/TakeSurvey.aspx?SurveyID=78L086lK

This survey is simply an expression of interest and not registration. Based on this information, trainings sessions will then be scheduled and you will be informed how to register for a session near you.

 

 

 


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