KANSAS UPDATES
KDADS Issues Guidance for Assisted Living and Other Licensed-Only Adult Care Homes
The new KDADS guidance is intended to provide requirements and recommendations to Kansas Adult Care Homes including Assisted Living, Residential Health Care, Home Plus and other facilities regarding COVID-19 testing and reopening to visitors and services, using a phased approach based on information from KDHE, CMS and the CDC. This guidance is for adult care homes excluding nursing facilities. Nursing facility guidance was issued last week.
REGISTER NOW for the KDADS webinar at 3:30 PM on Friday, June 19th, on the new guidance for assisted living and other Licensed-Only Adult Care Homes. Space is limited. The webinar will be recorded.
Reach Out to Your County Commission or Administrator Now to Put a Bug in Their Ear!
The Governor’s SPARK Task Force is sending funds to each county government to spend within their county (not just for county government expenses) on COVID-19 related expenses or projects. Each county will receive an amount equivalent to $194/resident in the county. We strongly encourage every LeadingAge Kansas member to make contact with their County Commissioner/s or County Administrator to have an initial conversation about how your county will determine the process by which they will receive requests for funding and how they will process those requests. Advocate for inclusion of aging services/long term care providers in the distribution of these funds. Ask if they will give funds to offset losses incurred due to COVID-19 (ex. more, more expensive PPE (just an example) and/or if they will fund new projects related to COVID-19 (ex. isolation rooms or other infection control equipment – just examples.) Share preliminary ideas about what would be helpful to your organization and the people you serve.
Start here find your County Commission members or County Administrator.
Only 60% of Kansas Nursing Homes Have Applied For a KDADS CMP Technology Grant – There’s Still Time to Apply
KDADS is still accepting applications from Kansas nursing homes to receive up to $3,000 in CMP funds to purchase electronic devices to enable residents to visit with family and friends in a virtual setting and participate in telehealth visits. CMP funds may be used to purchase tablets, iPads, and similar devices, as well as accessories including headphones and protective covers to help with cleaning between uses. Additional information about the grant is available in the KDADS COVID-19 Application FAQ. Here is the COVID-19 Application. Questions can be directed to covid.cmp@ks.gov.
Review Your Kansas County Reopening Plans
Kansas County Reopening Plans as reported to the Kansas Department of Emergency Management (KDEM) by local Emergency Management (updated weekly.) Members are strongly encouraged to acquire and review their county reopening plans from local emergency management.
Members have asked…
Are there Kansas counties that never have issued an emergency declaration related to COVID-19? The answer is yes. From our research, it appears that Chase, Chautauqua, Morris and Sheridan counties have not issued a emergency declaration. There have been questions/rumors about whether or not the SPARK task force will recommend denying recovery funds to those counties. While we do not have a definitive answer, it appears that they will recommend that recovery funds flow to those counties and entities within those counties. More details as they become available.
Local Governments and Adult Care Home Reopening
We have heard from a few members that problems/misinterpretations are popping up in individual counties about who decides when nursing homes and other adult care homes are to reopen. For instance, one member reports that their local county commission is proceeding as if they dictate how/when nursing homes will reopen. Please let us know if you are seeing problems related to your county’s understanding, and/or problems with your local health officer or health department understanding or fulfilling their consultative role. Email responses to hayley@leadingagekansas.org. Also let KDADS know at kdads.reopening@ks.gov .
Revisit PPE With Your Local Emergency Manager
We recently learned that the State has 2 warehouses full of PPE that they are ready and willing to distribute. This was confirmed by a KDEM official n a call this morning. If you have any PPE needs let your local emergency manager know.
Group Begins Discussion About Planning for Second Wave
A statewide multi-stakeholder group convened today to begin a process to facilitate the development of (regional?) plans for post-acute (or transitional) care for patients being discharged from hospitals. It was a productive initial meeting. Information to help inform the work was shared by various associations, other non-government entities, and government entities. The group will be meeting throughout the summer. More on our weekly webinar tomorrow.
LEADINGAGE KANSAS UPDATES
Join us Tomorrow for Weekly COVID-19 Calls to Discuss the Latest Affecting Our Field
Topics will include state reopening guidance for nursing homes and state licensed homes, PPE considerations and much more.
Register today. Please note, space is limited to 101 lines, so it will be first come, first served. There will be a recording in case you have to miss it.
Other COVID-19 Topics Brought to You by LeadingAge Kansas:
- June 25th | 1 PM Webinar: Engagement Technology – Now More Than Ever.
View all of our other upcoming webinars about COVID-19.
FEDERAL UPDATES
- Simplified PPP Loan Forgiveness Application Announced.
- Federal Reserve Announces Plan to Expand Loans to Not-For-Profits.
- SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans Reopen.
LEADINGAGE NATIONAL UPDATES
- Diagnostic Testing Support for Affordable Housing Communities.
- Staff Vacations and Travel Considerations During COVID-19.
- Coronovirus Daily Member Update for 6-17-2020.
- Please register for daily live online updates here.
- Miss a call? Check out the call archives.
- Go to www.leadingage.org/covid19 for all info, resources and connection opportunities.
