Technical Assistance Exchange Newsletter August 17, 2011 A Weekly Update for Aging & Disability Resource Centers, Community Living Programs, Alzheimer's Disease Supportive Services Programs, and their Partners Contact us with questions about this newsletter: adrc-tae@lewin.com or 703.269.5574 Please visit the ADRC-TAE Website for a text version of this newsletter. In This Issue TA Preferences Survey Results New Proposed Rules to Build Affordable Exchanges AoA Care Transitions Toolkit Discussion Forum Update Highlighting Grantee Resources and Materials: Connecticut Other New Resources Upcoming Events Resource Reminders This column highlights ADRC-TAE resources that you may have forgotten about: This ADRC-TAE Issue Brief on Hospital-Based Nursing Facility Diversion Initiatives discusses ways to use the hospital discharge process to divert institutional placements or to trigger follow-up during the initial weeks following a nursing facility admission. It is intended to help states, ADRC pilot sites, or other community organizations to evaluate their options for establishing a hospital-based diversion program and, where appropriate, take steps toward implementing a successful program. Contact Us! adrc-tae@lewin.com adrc-tae.org Results from Technical Assistance Preferences Survey The Technical Assistance Exchange (TAE) distributed a survey to state and local ADRC staff in July 2011 and received over 150 responses! The purpose of the survey was to learn more about the usefulness of different TA approaches as well as state and local staff preferences about the type of TA they want to receive. More tools and templates and more resources on sustainability and expansion emerged as areas of interest. The Results of the TA Preferences Survey will help the TAE and AoA improve the delivery of technical assistance. Thank you to everyone who participated! New Rules to Help States Build Affordable Insurance Exchanges Last Friday, the Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Treasury issued three proposed rules to help establish affordable insurance exchanges. The proposed rules focus on Medicaid Eligibility, a Health Insurance Premium Tax Credit, and Easy, Simple Access to Coverage for Consumers and Small Businesses. These rules are now available in the Federal Register. HHS also awarded $185 million to 13 States and the District of Columbia to build Affordable Insurance Exchanges. HHS Secretary Sebelius summarized options and resources for States creating exchanges in a Letter to Governors. New Administration on Aging Care Transitions Toolkit The new AoA Care Transitions Toolkit is targeted to organizations interested in learning more about how to prepare for a role in care transitions programs. Whether your organization has historically developed partnerships with health care providers or programs that span the continuum of care such as Community Living, Money Follows the Person, Aging and Disability Resource Centers, or others, the tools and resources here can assist in formalizing your efforts for future funding and program opportunities. This toolkit includes lessons learned from States that received funding from the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) Program, ADRC Evidence-Based Care Transitions Program, Person-Centered Hospital Discharge Model, Community Living Program (CLP), and the Veteran Directed Home and Community Based Services (VDHCBS) Program. Discussion Forum Update A number of new discussion topics have been posted in the Discussion Forums on the ADRC-TAE website. The discussion forums exist to facilitate active, informal, peer exchange. Consider using the forums to seek or offer help, advice, and input, or to extend discussion after a webinar. Take a few minutes to browse through recent topics, such as: * Charging for listing fees * Number of participants per options counselor * Options counseling case closure Add your input to these discussions or start a new discussion topic to share ideas or solicit feedback. For those who prefer, there is an option to post anonymously. Highlighting Grantee Resources and Materials: Connecticut This column highlights interesting and useful resources and materials that states create and would like to share with other grantees. The following resources are from Connecticut. Veterans Directed Home and Community Based Services (VDHCBS) Program Materials Connecticut created the following resources to assist with its VDHCBS program: (1) Fact Sheet to collect information about consumers; (2) Budget and Plan of Care Development Process document; (3) Rainy Day Fund Accruals FAQs sheet; and (4) Billing Process Summary document. Connecticut recently expanded its VD-HCBS program to a second region. Veteran Outreach TriFold Brochure Southwestern Connecticut Area Agency on Aging (SWCAA) created this Tri-fold Outreach Brochure for its VD-HCBS program. It includes general information about the program, available services, and information on how to apply. Care Transitions Flow Chart Connecticut's North Center ADRC created this Flow Chart for its Care Transitions program. Other New Resources Rhode Island Quarterly Consumer Satisfaction Report Rhode Island created a consumer satisfaction survey using the web-based Survey Monkey tool which allows users to track changes in aspects of consumer satisfaction. Results are presented in this Quarterly Consumer Satisfaction Report. This model for tracking and quantifying consumer satisfaction can be used at the state and local level. ADRC-TAE Cost Calculator Webinar Recording A Recording of the TAE Cost Calculator Tutorial is posted on the TAE website. Watch the webinar to learn more about the Cost Calculator tool can help your ADRC. Upcoming Events 1) Defining Communities: Care Transitions Partnerships Between QIOs and the Aging Network The recently-released 10th Scope of Work for CMS-funded Quality Improvement Organizations (QIO) focuses on improving care transitions, reducing hospital readmissions, and integrating care for populations and communities, all of which require strong community partnerships. This session of the ACA webinar series will outline the 10th Scope of Work, discuss lessons learned from the 9th Scope of Work, and spotlight a successful partnership between a QIO and an Area Agency on Aging. * Tuesday, August 23, 2011 from 2:00-3:00 pm EST * Register for the Defining Communities Webinar Note: A Recording of the Defining Communities Webinar will be available on the AoA website shortly after the session. 2) National Home and Community Based Services Conference The National Association of States United For Aging and Disabilities (NASUAD) is hosting a National Home and Community Based Services Conference in Washington, DC. For more details, visit the NASUAD National HCBS Conference Website. * September 11-14, 2011 * Hyatt Regency Washington, DC on Capitol Hill * Register for the HCBS Conference * Tentative Agenda for the HCBS Conference 3) National Resource Center for Participant Directed Services (NRCPDS) Financial Management Services Conference The NRCPDS fourth Biennial Financial Management Services (FMS) Conference will feature workshops with participant direction tax experts within the Internal Revenue Service as well as with other Financial Management Services specialists and experts. * November 14-15, 2011 * Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel * Register for the FMS Conference * Register by October 15, 2011 for the discounted rate Note: Use the IRS Question Form on the conference website to submit questions for an IRS representative to answer at the conference. TAE Website Tip of the Week: Did you know that the TAE website tracks state legislation and appropriations that are relevant to ADRCs? You can see the list organized by state on the State Legislation and Appropriations page. Contact us anytime at adrc-tae@lewin.com for website support.