Industry Insider

Industry Expert Searches

Locate the experts in various fields of the assisted living industry by using our Industry Category Searches. Whether you're looking for architects or financial advisors, you can be sure to find help here

Job Opportunities

Are you a caregiver, administrator or other long-term care professional looking for a change? Check out our jobs page to see what's available from our members.

HFS 83 Rewrite

ATTENTION CBRFs: The HFS 83 Rewrite is now available and the clock is ticking for your opinions on the proposed changes. Now that the hearings for the rewrite of HFS 83 are scheduled, it is critical that you read the proposed rule to determine its impact on the assisted living industry and your own operations.

As a WALA member, your dues support our efforts on your behalf. We encourage you to read WALA’s position on the changes, including our recommendations for ways to meet Administrator qualifications if they do not have at least 60 hours of college credit, as proposed.

"Keep Out Assisted Living" Bill

A draft bill circulating among legislators in the State Capitol would tighten restrictions on small providers. Sponsored by Sen. Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) and Rep. Jim Ott (R-Meqon), the bill was developed in response to a group of Mequon homeowners who object to the establishment of an adult family home in their neighborhood.

Current law requires that CBRF developers make a "good faith effort" to establish a community advisory committee (CAC) which provides a forum for stakeholders in the development and operation of the facility. It also requires the local planning agency to review potential hazards or concerns with the proposed CBRF and submit a report to BAL.

The bill would extend these requirements to adult family homes. Further, it would mandate the creation of a CAC, with community representatives appointed by the mayor or other head of municipal government. In addition to its role in the licensing process, the CAC would have to be consulted whenever the provider seeks license renewal or a change in client group.

WALA is opposed to this bill and will register against it when it is formally introduced. We are also setting up meetings with Darling and Ott, as well as the long-term care committee chairs, Sen. Tim Carpenter (D-Milwaukee) and Rep. John Townsend (R-Fond du Lac).

Contact these legislators and let them know why community settings like CBRFs and AFHs are so important!

HFS-83 REWRITE HEARINGS SET

HFS 83 Hearing Dates (For more details, see DHFS memo)

AND DEADLINE for submitting comments is 4:30 pm Wednesday, December 26, 2007.

Family Care Expansion Map

Our "The Future of Funding: Managed Care" seminar on October 20 featured a variety of speakers and information on the planned expansion of Wisconsin's Family Care program statewide. The handout included a full-color map of the different regions studying how to implement the expansion, but there was an error. Download the corrected map which is up-to-date as of October 2006.

Feds Offer Wage and Hour Information Online and By Phone

The Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Department of Labor is making more information available electronically to providers. On their website at http://www.wagehour.dol.gov they have a wide range of employment law information, including workplace posters and health care factsheets through the "Quick Finder" on the bottom of their homepage. There is also a toll-free hotline, 866/487-9243