WALA News for November 12, 2009

1. Sign up today for WALA's Family Care Seminar: Series 1

Do you have burning questions for your area's MCO? Would you like a better working relationship with them? Do you want to know how to get the best rate possible from your MCO?

If you answered any of those questions with a YES! Come the WALA's Family Care Sessions offered in your area!

WALA is hosting the first three of possibly 11 seminar sessions regarding Family Care. These sessions have been developed with the goal to enhance communication and increase partnership with providers and the Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) across the state. WALA is planning with the other MCOs to host additional Family Care sessions in as many of the MCO regions as possible in early 2010.

For more information about these sessions go the WALA website at www.ewala.org and click on Education/Events.

2. Update on 83

All the links below are located on www.ewala.org under the DHS 83 webpage at http://www.ewala.org/breakingnews/bytopic/hfs83.cfm

83.20 Department-approved training

        As you know, you can still keep teaching the 83.20 four department-approved trainings until the new system is in place by April 1. These four curriculums are standard precautions, fire safety, medication management and first aid. Remember that anyone who has successfully completed the current four courses by March 31, 2010 will not need to take additional 83.20 training or enter the system described below.

On November 10, BAL announced that they have contracted with the University of Oshkosh, Center for Career Development and Employability Training (known as CCDET) to develop the four curriculums. As you will see in the entire document on our website, CCDET will develop the curriculums (except First Aid), trainers guide, activities and trainer's notes, as well as student guides, tests and information. They expect this to be ready by Feb 1, 2010.

The fees for these new curriculums are not cheap, when you add these costs on top of the courses themselves, release time, travel etc. See the whole document with fee structure on www.ewala.org.

If you feel these fees are excessive, send a note to WALA at info@ewala.org with your reasons why. We are compiling responses to BAL. Fortunately, BAL was able to absorb the curriculum development costs so those are not reflected in these fees.

BAL's FAQs

BAL has issued answers to many Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). Since these answers have been reviewed by DHS legal counsel, they are "gospel". Please review them carefully as there is a lot of clarification on many issues of concern. We are specifically gratified that BAL is allowing caregivers to receive gifts of "nominal value." See this document on www.ewala.org.

Medication Management Initiative

This is a treasure trove of meds related information from BAL including documentation, PRN meds, medication errors, psychotropic, self administration and much, much more. View it at http://dhs.wisconsin.gov/rl_dsl/MedManagement/asstlvgMMI.htm.

CBRF Pharmacy FAQs

Consultant Pharmacist Doug Engelbert has also published pharmacy related FAQs for CBRFs. While not all related to the rewrite, they give you a good look into many reoccurring issues. See this document on www.ewala.org.

DQA Pharmacy Q & A for Assisted Living

Another resource in Q & A formats for all AL regulatory categories. See this document on www.ewala.org.

83.15 Department-approved assisted living administrator's training course.

As you know, one of the ways that a person can become an approved CBRF administrator is to successfully complete a Department-approved assisted living administrator's training course.  On October 27, BAL announced the draft curriculum and it is not anticipated that there will be any changes in this course content.  A n assisted living administrator's training course must consist of a minimum of 60 classroom hours of training in the following six core competency areas.  All required hours of training must be conducted in the physical presence of the approved trainer.  The training curriculum must include the topics specified in each of the six core areas.  For details, the entire memo is on the WALA website www.ewala.org and WALA has already started preparing the curriculum for this course. Naturally, a course this complex will require a lot of professional development so it may take awhile. Stayed tuned!

3. Breakfast with BAL coming to a town near you!

WALA Hosts a Free Q& A Session with BAL!

The Bureau of Assisted Living has committed to doing more outreach with assisted living providers and WALA is pleased to announce this collaborative effort with BAL. WALA is honored to again provide an opportunity for all providers to meet the BAL Director from their region for this free, informal, give-and-take session, where you can ask questions in a non-threatening setting.

There is no cost to attend this session but would appreciate registrations to plan for accommodations.

To register to attend, simply register online at www.ewala.org or call the office at (608) 288-0246.

Directions to each location are available on the website at www.ewala.org or by calling the office.

 

Q&A Session times are 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. at the following locations:

Sylvan Crossings on Evergreen, Wausau: November 16, 2009 (Western Region)

Sylvan Crossings in Westshire, Waunakee: November 19, 2009 (Southern Region)

Heritage at West Allis, West Allis: November 20, 2009 (Southeastern Region)

Wissota Springs Assisted Living, Chippewa Falls: November 24, 2009 (Western Region)

N.E.W. Curative Rehab Inc., Green Bay: November 25, 2009 (Northeastern Region)

 

Schedule for ALL Sessions:

Breakfast: 9:00 - 9:30 a.m.

Q&A Session: 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

 

Travel: Please allow sufficient travel time for weather, parking and traffic. We will begin on time at 9:30 a.m. at each session!

Fees: NONE! Includes coffee and breakfast rolls.

4. Take the WALA Compensation Survey today!

Take the WALA Wisconsin Specific, Assisted Living Specific, Compensation Survey today!

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. (Of course, WALA Members get a discount!)

Just go to the WALA Website at www.ewala.org and you will see a link to the compensation survey on our main page. Follow the instructions listed there. If your company has more than one facility and would like an alternative way to enter data, please call or email Stephanie Gerberding at Wipfli LLP at 608/270-2972 or sgerberding@wipfli.com.

5. New DQA Memos

For more information on these and other DQA memos go to http://dhs.wisconsin.gov/rl_dsl/Publications/BQAnodMems.htm

 


WALA