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Last week, Governor Tim Walz released an updated supplemental budget that proposes to use the state’s more than $9 billion in general fund surplus. The Governor's proposed budget serves as a negotiating position in final budget conversations. Legislators in the House and Senate majorities will also advance their budget proposals in the upcoming weeks.

This week the Minnesota House of Representatives and Senate approved passage of Senate File 2876, granting certain temporary waiver authorities to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS), and authorizing DHS to invest $1 million in an emergency staffing pool.

OSHA announced this week that it will take new public comment on the emergency temporary standard (ETS) issued last summer in relation to COVID-19 exposure in healthcare settings, and will hold a public hearing on these issues April 27.

The federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) updated the reporting requirements for COVID-19 point of care (POC) tests. The update to section 18115 of the Cares Act changes the facility’s reporting requirements for negative point of care (POC) test results.

MDH recently shared data on surveys of Assisted Living facilities that had been conducted through February 2022. Since the initiation of Assisted Living Licensure, 126 surveys of conversion licensees were completed.

Back in January, DHS distributed $50 million in American Rescue Plan funding to care centers to provide hiring and retention bonuses to staff. Reporting on the use of the funds is due to DHS by end of day on Monday April 4.

Tomorrow, Friday, March 25, critical legislation being advanced by LeadingAge Minnesota and our LTC Imperative partner is scheduled to be heard in the House Human Service Finance and Policy Committee.

Sodexo Seniors and McKnight's Senior Living are hosting a free webinar on the staffing challenges facing senior services on March 30 at noon (CT). Along with Sodexo Seniors CEO (Zeta Smith) and VP Human Resources (Jim Moran), Matt McNeill, Director of Senior Living at StuartCo and a LeadingAge Minnesota member, will be the featured presenters.

On-demand content from the Virtual Institute and select sessions from the in-person conference are available online for registered participants to view and earn CEUs through April 30.

We invite your voices at our upcoming Virtual Day at the Capitol. Join other LeadingAge Minnesota members in a day filled with information and advocacy.

Attend the Sales & Marketing in Senior Living Certificate Program to boost your marketing efforts, sharpen your sales and closing skills, and increase occupancy. The three-part series is on April 12, May 10, and June 14 in St. Paul. It emphasizes the proven, foundational practices to help distinguish your community from your competitors.

Join us for a virtual conversation on March 22 at 3:30 – 4 p.m. to get a refresher on all we do to support our members. 

Volunteers were honored at the statewide and district levels at the recent Institute & Expo. The award recognizes individuals who volunteer in older adult services for their dedication, commitment, and positive impact on the lives of seniors and their communities.

Project Firstline, led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), launched a new toolkit yesterday entitled Risk Recognition and Infection Control in Healthcare. As with other Project Firstline resources, the new toolkit aims to increase infection control knowledge and understanding among frontline staff.

In assisted living settings, there is a critical difference between “I’m Okay Checks” and “Security Checks” that every provider should understand.

This week, the makers of a COVID-19 vaccine applied with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for emergency use authorization (EUA) for a second booster dose.

On March 10, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) updated two quality and safety oversight memos to align more closely with the previously updated guidance from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

Two weeks ago, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and other providers licensed by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) transitioned back to fingerprint-based background studies beginning for new employees.

The Minnesota Leadership Council on Aging (MNLCOA) invites you to join a virtual Combating Ageism workshop on March 24 from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Through our partnership with the Performance Excellence Network (PEN), LeadingAge Minnesota members receive discounted registration for the May PENworks Conference. This year’s conference theme is “CHARTING THE COURSE: Leading Forward” and features over 25 local, regional and national speakers, each sharing best practices centered on visionary leadership, organizational resilience, valuing people, and innovation. 

Registration is open for the Minnesota Health Care Engineers Association (MHCEA) Spring Conference, set for May 5-6 at Grand Casino Hinckley. 

On-demand content from the Virtual Institute and select sessions from the in-person conference are now available online for registered participants. Content is available for viewing and earning CEUs through April 30, 2022.

The application deadline for the 2022 Leadership Academy is Tuesday, March 15.

“Life changing.”

“Best leadership training I’ve ever had.”

“A smart investment in our future.”

Registration is open for the 2022 Sales & Marketing in Senior Living Certificate Program, happening in person on April 12, May 10, and June 14.

LeadingAge Minnesota presented the District Caregiver of the Year Awards at the recent Institute & Expo.

The District Caregiver of the Year Award honors individuals in older adult services who demonstrate exceptional commitment to older adults and enhance and enrich the quality of life of those in their care. The honorees were selected for the regional award out of a field of 50,000 professional caregivers throughout the state.

Erin Huppert has joined the LeadingAge Minnesota team as the Vice President of Advocacy. We asked Erin five questions to help you get to know her.

Employer applications are being accepted for the 2022 Summer Health Care Internship Program (SHCIP). Hospitals, clinics, nursing facilities, home care providers and adult day services facilities are encouraged to participate on behalf of qualified students in their community.

The White House’s strategy to address the national mental health crisis, outlined on March 1 in a fact sheet and formally announced during President Biden's March 2 State of the Union speech, includes training HUD service coordinators, housing counselors, and fair housing grantee staff to be equipped to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illness and addiction among those they serve. HUD will train staff in these roles to recognize the signs of emotional distress and connect residents with mental health resources.

During the Coaching Room on March 1, members asked questions about tuberculosis (TB) programs in assisted living. As a result of the questions from the Coaching Room, we've taken the two most asked questions and responded.

The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has posted an updated flyer with information on physical inspections during the COVID-19 pandemic, replacing an earlier version published in 2021.