STATE UPDATE

State Emergency Declaration Extended to June 15^th
On a vote of 6-2 the Legislative Coordinating Council agreed to extend the current COVID-19 emergency declaration to June 15^th. They also voted to revoke the moratorium on evictions and foreclosures. We will have to wait and see which executive orders Governor Kelly decides to re-issue.

IMPORTANT – Today Is the Last Day TAs Can Legally Work
May 28^th is the final day that Temporary Aides (TAs) are legally allowed to work under that designation in Kansas. Those individuals can continue on your payroll providing non-certified services unless they have taken a full CNA Class. If they have reached the second section of the course, they can work as an Nurse Aide Trainee II (NAT-II) under nurse supervision, passing the checklist, and by filling out the NAT-II employment verification form.

Fire Marshal Info on Laundry Fire Prevention
The Office of the Fire Marshal has been receiving questions about laundry rooms and mops, so they put together a memo with additional information on laundry room fire prevention. Send any questions to prevention@ks.gov. Read the memo.

FEDERAL NEWS

The Major Provider Associations Have a Regularly Scheduled Call with CMS Officials
Here are a couple of highlights of this week’s call:

• Topic – Educating residents and staff who decline vaccination: The new rule does not require multiple refusals from residents and staff who decline vaccination. CMS encourages providers to work with residents and staff to address vaccine hesitancy, which may involve multiple conversations, but a provider is in compliance with the requirement if they have documented at least one episode of educating and offering vaccination. Remember, however, the rule also requires providers to educate on ongoing opportunities for vaccination.
• Topic – NHSN reporting: The effective date of the rule vs. the date of enforcement is creating a great deal of confusion. CMS states, “The rule is effective now,” and indicates that providers should begin reporting now to avoid any last-minute issues ahead of the June 13th / 11:59 PM enforcement date. However, we note that CMS states in QSO-29-21-NH, “Facilities must begin including vaccination and therapeutic data reporting in facility NHSN submissions by 11:59 PM Sunday, June 13, 2021.” Additionally, as with previous NHSN reporting requirements, providers must submit data at least once per week, but may choose the day they submit data.

LEADINGAGE KANSAS UPDATE

Miss Our Weekly Webinar Today? Listen to the Recording
Here is the recording and here are the handouts.

David McDonnell, OSHA Compliance Assistance Specialist, will join us on June 11^th to present on the COVID National Emphasis Program (NEP). Come prepared with your questions.

Do you have ideas on what we should cover in future updates? Let us know.

Make plans to join us each Friday at 10 AM. Register here.

LEADINGAGE NATIONAL UPDATE

Life Plan Community Advisory Group
Please join us next Thursday, June 3rd at 10 AM Central for the first meeting of the Life Plan Community Advisory Group. The agenda will include Insurance Update and Discussion, Masking Policies, Vaccine Mandates/Encouragement, and Staffing Issues. Join the meeting.

May Nursing Home Advisory Group
Read this article about what transpired during the May 26^th Nursing Home Advisory Group. It’s rich in COVID-19 related info and insights. A CDC official joined the call to talk about the new vaccination reporting requirements. If you are a LeadingAge member that operates a nursing home and wish to provide feedback, topic ideas, or would like information on how to join this group, please email Jodi Eyigor jeyigor@leadingage.org. Next call is on Tuesday, June 29th at 1 PM Central Time.

Strengthening the Direct Care Workforce
June 3^rd at 11 AM Central – LeadingAge’s Senior Vice President of Research, Robyn Stone, will participate in a webinar hosted by Mathematica to discuss evidence-based policies and practices for strengthening the direct care workforce in the wake of the pandemic. Learn more and register.

RESOURCES

• More Evidence Emerges on the Effectiveness of COVID-19 Vaccines in Long-Term Care
• Being Ready is the Name of the Game

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