BELTSS Board Assisted Living Director Updates and Concerns

Posted on January 27, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry

The Board of Executives for Long-term Services and Supports (BELTSS) provided updates on the progress of licensing directors at the Jan. meeting held earlier this week. The Board also reviewed the first months of assisted living surveys and discussed potential implications for licensees.

A total of 3,342 assisted living director applications have been submitted. Of these, 2,365 are approved legacy applications. There are 174 Assisted Living Directors in Residence (ALDIR) applications, with 46 currently permitted. For shared directors, 90 applications have been received, 38 of which are still being processed. A total of 14 applicants were denied licensure.

BELTSS reported that the Minnesota exam is now available; one individual has taken the exam and received a passing score. No applicants have yet taken the broader NAB-provided national core and assisted living knowledge tests.

In reviewing survey results, the Board Standards and Practice Committee raised particular concern over the number of citations under 250 related to reading, understanding and implementing the AL requirements.

The correction order refers to the “Official Verification of Owner or Authorized Agent” section of the Assisted Living Facility license application. That section requires the owner or authorized agent to certify that they:

• Have read and understands the rules, statutes, and other provisions relating to the management of the ALF;
• Acknowledge the responsibility for the management, control and operation of the facility; and
• Attest that all policies and procedures required by the statutes and rules are "in place upon licensure and to keep them current as applicable." In addition to this attestation, a legacy-licensed director must also attest they have read the statute and rules.

Licensees must read and implement the new requirements. The Board will be monitoring director responses to these citations through the actions taken to alleviate issues, along with any citations at levels 3 and 4.