Many LeadingAge states have thoroughly enjoyed this program and we're excited to offer this free opportunity to our members, beginning in April, once a month on Thursdays at 4:00 p.m. “An Evening with NASA Scientists and Engineers” is an outreach program for senior living communities, where participants learn from and interact with a NASA scientist or engineer in a virtual setting. The program focuses on both the stories behind the discoveries and the stories behind the people. The audience tunes in to the discussions via NASA Zoom Webinar, and may ask questions throughout the 30-minute program. This is a great opportunity for your residents. Please contact Merry for login information.

Senate Bill 703 (2021 sessions) required Oregon Department of Human Services to commission a report on community-base care settings to evaluate the total cost to provide care to residents; the sufficiency of the Medicaid reimbursement paid to facilities; and the average compensation paid to direct care workers. The final report can be found here.

LTC Capital Improvement and Emergency Preparedness Program Reimbursement Extension
Due to the supply chain issues interfering with some of the Long-Term Care Capital Improvement and Emergency Preparedness projects, APD leadership has approved extending the Program to January 31, 2024. The rule will be updated and filed with the Secretary of State. A provider alert will be sent following the rule update.

OSHA COVID-19 Updates
Oregon OSHA, in alignment with updated public health guidance from the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), will rescind its masking rules effective April 3, 2023. Please review the 3/29/23 workplace advisory memo here for all of the details.

Wage Survey
LeadingAge Oregon is conducting our annual wage survey. We know you’re extremely busy and appreciate your participation. The more participants we have, the more accurate the data will be. Participants will receive the raw data for each of the positions as well as simple averages for entry level, average and high wages. We will provide aggregated data for those in the Portland metro area and in other parts of the state. Participating facilities will not be identified in the report. If you’d like to participate, please take the 2023 Wage Survey here.

DHS Provider Alerts You May Have Missed: 
*Please note the State frequently modifies the alerts and it breaks the links provided below. If you have any issues, this link should always take you to all of the alerts. 

• ODHS-23-019-CBC-NF – Oregon Center for Nursing Well-Being Project Grant Application Extension
• ODHS-23-020-CBC - Quality Metrics  
• ODHS-23-021-NF - NATCEP Application Updates
• ODHS-23-021-001-NF - NATCEP Update Guide March 2023 (Supplemental) 
• ODHS-23-022-NF - QIES Training Opportunities and Resources 

Eagle Crest Resort
May 9-12, 2023

We believe we are stronger together! Join us at the May Conference for informative learning opportunities, featuring manager track sessions led by Del Gilbert, and other topics to include Active Shooter, Cybercrime, and Nurse Delegation. Tuesday's Welcome Fiesta includes a Taco Truck!

Learn more and Register for the Annual Conference here

Business Partners: Are you interested in participating in the Trade Show? A few booths and sponsorship opportunities are still available. Contact Rob West [email protected]

LeadingAge To Host Call on NSPIRE Proposed Scoring Notice, Posts Complete Analysis
HUD is seeking public review and comment on the proposed NSPIRE physical inspection scoring and ranking methodology to implement HUD's final NSPIRE Proposed Scoring Notice. HUD is accepting public comment to the proposed Scoring Notice until April 27, 2023. LeadingAge is hosting a call with members to discuss the new scoring elements and generate feedback for HUD. The members-only call will take place on Wednesday, April 5, from 10:00-11:30pm, register here. Members can review LeadingAge's complete analysis of the Proposed Scoring Notice here.

Enforcement Strengthened Again for Nursing Home Infection Control Deficiencies
Yesterday CMS released memo QSO-23-10-NH  to strengthen already enhanced enforcements on nursing homes related to infection control deficiencies. Building off the enhanced enforcement implemented in June 2020, CMS policies now include increased civil money penalties (CMPs), a shortened time period for facilities to demonstrate compliance prior to the effectuation of a discretionary denial of payment for new admissions remedy, and stronger directed plans of correction. These enhanced enforcements will be applied to infection control deficiencies cited at the levels of harm, serious harm, and the likelihood to cause serious harm.

Meeting with CMS Deputy Administrator on 3 Day Stay Waiver – Is There Any Scenario Where Change Is Possible?
LeadingAge national staff met with CMS Deputy Administrator Jon Blum on March 20, to follow up on a letter Katie sent HHS Secretary Becerra. The letter asked to extend the 3-day stay waiver beyond May 11, the end of the Public Health Emergency. Before this meeting, HHS staff had been firm that there is no chance of extending the waiver or changing the policy in any way once the PHE ends. In the meeting on March 20, CMS leaders appeared willing to continue the discussion and asked for additional information and data collected during the pandemic that might provide a foundation for potential policy changes. LeadingAge national will follow up in the weeks to come with CMS.

Navigating MDS 3.0 RAI Training for Nursing Facility Staff (MDS)
3 Day Webinar  |  May 24-26, 2023
Time: 9-1pm 
Register Here

Nursing Practice in Community Based Care (CBC)
3 Day Webinar  |  June 6-8, 2023
Time: 9-2pm
Register Here

Care Area Assessment Review (CAA)
December 7, 2023
Time: 9-1pm
Register Here

Visit our Education Page to discover more classes and webinars