STATE NEWS
Positive Media Opportunity: KDHE/KDADS Seek Direct Care Staff Willing to Tell Why they Got Vaccinated as a Healthcare Worker
We received a request from KDADS Secretary Howard this morning seeking direct care workers who are willing to be part of a media campaign in conjunction with KDADS, KDHE, and the Governor’s office. Here are a couple of ways individuals could participate in this campaign:
Testimonials:
KDHE is ramping up a new communications campaign called “Unscripted Testimonials” that will feature both healthcare providers and real Kansans. We are currently working to find a diverse set of individuals from across the State with a variety of authentic, impactful stories that illustrate the importance of COVID vaccination (e.g., long COVID symptoms, death of an unvaccinated loved one, etc.) and who are willing to share their story publicly. We would love to feature some stories from LTC employees!
Earned media:
The consultants are also building a list of people who are willing to participate in interviews with the media, and it would be great to include representatives from KDADS and LTC facilities. If you have suggestions of people to consider for earned media efforts, could you share their name, a brief description of their role/expertise, and who we should reach out to once we’re interested in connecting with them. The state can also coordinate media training if needed.
Please contact Debra Zehr asap if you have employees who would be willing to be part of a campaign. Simply reply to this email.
FEDERAL NEWS
Eviction Prevention Efforts Ramp Up
On July 21st, the White House hosted a virtual convening to highlight the need for state and local governments to quickly administer emergency rental assistance and to develop plans to prevent evictions. Since December, Congress has provided to Treasury $46 billion for the Emergency Rental Assistance program. The program, ultimately administered by state and local governments, has been slow to reach renters and landlords in need. Meanwhile, the national eviction moratorium for nonpayment of rent is set to expire on July 31st. In June, $1.5 billion of ERA funds were delivered to eligible households and their landlords. To date, less than $3 billion of the $46 billion has been allocated. On July 28th, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau will debut a new look up tool that allows renters and landlords to find information on rental assistance in their area. The National Low Income Housing Coalition currently maintains a database of ERA programs.
Biden Administration to Invest More Than $1.6 Billion to Support COVID-19 Testing and Mitigation in Vulnerable Communities
HHS announced that as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s ongoing COVID-19 response efforts, HHS will invest more than $1.6 billion from the American Rescue Plan to support testing and mitigation measures in high-risk congregate settings to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and detect and stem potential outbreaks. As COVID-19 cases rise among unvaccinated people and where the more transmissible Delta virus variant is surging, this funding will expand activities to detect, diagnose, trace, and monitor infections and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in homeless shelters, treatment and recovery facilities, domestic violence shelters and federal, state and local correctional facilities– some of the hardest hit and highest risk communities across the country.
LEADINGAGE NATIONAL NEWS
LeadingAge National Supports COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates for all Workers in Healthcare
Today, LeadingAge signed on with a growing list of national associations who support COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates for all healthcare and long-term care workers. Read the statement.
- Joint Statement in Support of COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates for All Workers in Health and Long-Term Care
- Press Release: Aging Services Leader Joins National Call for Long-term Care Providers to Mandate COVID-19 Vaccines For All Staff and Care Professionals
- Washington Post: Doctors, nurses and other health groups call for mandatory coronavirus vaccinations for all health workers
- McKnight’s article on Good Sam vaccine mandate systems https://www.mcknights.com/news/clinical-news/game-changing-senior-living-giant-good-sam-mandates-employee-covid-19-vaccination/
On Join the LeadingAge Call at 2:30 PM Central on Wednesday, July 28th
The Chief Economist and Director of Outreach at the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care (NIC) will provide the latest insights on what is happening with the aging services field and what we can expect in the coming months. Join by registering here.
New Insights and Tools From LeadingAge
LeadingAge staff experts are developing essential advocacy, guidance, and tools, and curating the most relevant resources for aging services providers.
- Nursing Home Weekly Recap
- Life Plan Community Weekly Recap
- Home Health and Hospice Weekly Recap
- PACE Weekly Recap
- Senior Housing Weekly Recap
- Drive for 75: Week 21 Resources
A complete timeline of insights and tools is available here, so you’ll never miss an update.
THANK YOU TO OUR PLATINUM PARTNER
