​The Washington Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) will be jointly hosting two virtual listening sessions on Wednesday June 22, 9-10:30 a.m. and Wednesday July 20, 10-11:30 a.m. to receive feedback on the below date of hire proposals for Home Care Aides.

​Many home care agencies are struggling to find enough caregivers to meet the growing demand for services. During this unprecedented workforce shortage, there is one thing agencies can do to recognize the caregiver stars they already have on their team. ​Nominate a caregiver for the 2022 Caregiver of the Year Award for his or her dedication to caring for clients and their families. The top caregiver will receive a $1,000 cash award and receive an all-expenses paid trip to the HCAOA conference in Orlando in September to be recognized in front of industry leaders.

​Beginning in July, the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will proactively work with all Healthy Connections Medicaid-enrolled providers who are categorized as high-risk to ensure they are in compliance with federal regulations. CMS requires providers classified as “high risk” to submit fingerprint-based criminal background checks.

​We all know that there is strength in numbers – especially when it comes to advocacy efforts for the home care industry, our caregivers, and our clients. HCAOA is adding to our community of 4,000+ members with a special 48-hour new member promotion from June 28-30. Nonmembers can participate in a “fast track” webinar on June 28 to learn more about the biggest trends in the industry and the valuable benefits available to members. Participants will then have a unique opportunity to join HCAOA at a discounted rate for the remainder of 2022. Word of mouth referrals are the best endorsements, so HCAOA encourages all members to reach out to peers and colleagues in the industry who are NOT members and encourage them to register for this free webinar and then join HCAOA during the period from June 28-30.

​When the agency joins, make sure they give your agency name as a referral. The member agency who refers the greatest number of new members who join HCAOA during that period will receive a FREE registration for the 2022 Annual Leadership Conference, September 17-19 in Orlando, FL.

​Answering four simple questions is all it takes to nominate your top caregiver for the 2022 Caregiver of the Year Award. These four questions will add your caregiver to the distinguished list of nominees for this national award, garnering national and local recognition, and solidifying their status as one of the top caregivers in the country.

SYNERGY HomeCare recently announced the launch of a comprehensive new memory care program that combines specialized training for caregivers, a variety of engagement tools for clients as well as family resources and support. The program reflects A Convergence of Care philosophy underscored by an evidence-based care model that is focused on the individual, not their condition. Click here for a press release with details. 

Click here to view message.  
Click here to register for the 2022 Annual Leadership Conference, September 17-19 in Orlando.​

​On May 25, Rhode Island Governor Daniel McKee signed a bill into law to legalize recreational cannabis. As a result, Rhode Island has joined a small but growing minority of states that extend employment protections to employees who use marijuana during non-working hours. With certain exceptions, an employer’s ability to take adverse action as a result of an applicant’s or employee’s positive drug screen for cannabis is likely significantly limited absent evidence of current impairment at the time of the test.

On June 3, the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division announced that it is reviewing regulations addressing the distinction between an employee and an independent contractor under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). DOL plans to engage in new rulemaking on this issue and seeks public feedback on the impact of potential changes to these regulations on small businesses.

Learn more:
 
June 21 – Members-Only Webinar
Learn about the changes and get a jump start on operationalizing them. Speakers include Adam Guestow, Esq, of Hinshaw and Culbertson, and Mike and Joan O'Brien, Independence 4 Seniors.
 
July 19 – In-Person Chapter Meeting
Get updates on the new regulations directly from Rani Harms MSN, RN, NPD-BC, IDPH Program Supervisor for Home Services/Home Nursing, Division of Health Care Facilities and Programs. 

​In such an unprecedented time in the labor market, there’s so much information out there about the latest hiring and retention trends, it can be difficult to cut through all the noise. HCAOA Associate Member CareerPlug has copiled some of the most compelling hiring statistics that every employer should know in 2022 to shed light on what job seekers and employees are looking for and how to hire and retain the right people.

​The HCAOA Illinois Chapter invites all home care agencies to attend an in-person meeting on Tuesday, July 19 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. CT at the Doubletree by Hilton Lisle Naperville Hotel. Lunch will be provided. 

​In March, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear signed a bill (S.B. 61) setting minimum training requirements for direct care staff members that are employed by facilities or programs regulated by the cabinet that provide services to individuals who exhibit symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias in the populations they serve. Facilities or programs must ensure that all direct care staff have completed cabinet-approved culturally competent and person-centered training before providing care to Alzheimer’s clients. The Office of Dementia Services in the Department for Aging and Independent Living has been designated to review and approve all provider agencies' dementia training curriculums.