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After serious consideration, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the HCAOA Annual Leadership Conference scheduled for September 26-27 in Orlando, FL.
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 This summer, many states have seen record high temperatures across the country. Seniors and other vulnerable populations are particularly at risk during extreme heatwaves. HCAOA compiled some helpful tips for caregivers to keep clients safe and cool. Please share these tips with your staff.  Oregon Governor Kate Brown implemented a statewide mask mandate for all children and adults ages 5 and older in all indoor public spaces regardless of vaccination status. This order will remain in effect for the foreseeable future. The existing requirement that all Oregonians ages 2 and older mask up on public transportation, regardless of vaccination status, also remains in place. The governor has not imposed capacity limits on businesses. read more
 Last Wednesday, the U.S. Senate passed a $3.5 trillion budget proposal that would potentially increase the pay of home care workers, provide billions of dollars in home- and community-based services, and expand Medicare. HCAOA issued a statement in support of this plan. Executive Director Vicki Hoak, stated, “We are very excited that the Senate has passed a resolution to start drafting the next Human Infrastructure Plan, which hopefully will include several issues that are important to home care organizations as well as to the people we care for including expanding Medicare coverage for vision, dental and hearing.”
 If 2020 (and beyond) taught us anything, it’s that possessing great change strategies is the key to success! Change is far from over—COVID redefined the healthcare industry. Learning a few helpful tips about change goes a long way towards not just surviving, but thriving. The spring issue of The Voice featured the article, “Think Like an Entrepreneur: 5 Tips to Help You Thrive During Change.” As an educator, here are a few of the tips article author Dr. Tonya Miller, PT, DPT, Ph.D., Founder of TYM Coaching and Assistant Professor at Lebanon Valley College, who designed and instructs HCAOA’s successful Entrepreneur Academy, utilizes to thrive through change.
 Last week, more than 50 members of the HCAOA Florida State Chapter met with Kimberly Smoak, Deputy Secretary, Division of Health Quality Assurance, Agency for Health Care Administration (pictured left), which regulates home care agencies in Florida. During the meeting, Smoak shared details about common deficiencies and was very open to members’ concerns regarding surveyors being confused about non-medical agencies versus medical home health organizations. “We were very appreciative of Ms. Smoak’s openness to emphasize the differences to her surveyors. She had not realized that there was this confusion and looks forward to working with HCAOA members to clarify the differences,” said HCAOA Executive Director, Vicki Hoak.
 Several states have recently announced COVID-19 vaccine mandates for health care workers, and HCAOA and state chapters are working with state officials to clarify how these mandates impact home care. For example, mandates in Washington, California, and New York do not include home care in some settings, while the order in New Jersey does include home care.  There's still time to register and join the HCAOA Georgia Chapter THIS Friday, August 20 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at the Georgian Terrace Hotel in Atlanta for the first in-person meeting in more than a year. Click here to register.  As part of an ongoing effort to support members, the HCAOA South Carolina Chapter is surveying home care agencies to identify the major challenges they are experiencing in providing services. The survey will provide the Chapter with important information to serve as a resource to members and advocate on their behalf. The deadline to complete the survey is September 3. Click here to take the survey.
 The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is launching a new immunization portal, Vax Verify, that will allow Illinois residents 18 years and older to check their COVID-19 vaccination record. Vax Verify can be accessed here.  The HCAOA Washington Chapter/WAHCA recently met with representatives from the Department of Health to seek clarification about the requirements for In-Home Services Providers under the Governor's Proclamation for COVID-19 Vaccinations (21-14). DOH released a frequently asked questions document about the vaccine requirements, including this response specifically related to home care.
 With the current surge in COVID cases across the country, HCAOA encourages agencies to make sure they have enough PPE in stock to protect caregivers and clients. HCAOA partner Stat Medical is offering all members an exclusive 10% discount on all PPE orders with the code HCAOA2021.  Governor Murphy issued Executive Order (“EO”) No. 252, which requires employees working in certain “covered settings” to be vaccinated or be tested for COVID-19 “at minimum one to two times weekly.” The EO lists two classes of covered settings: Health Care Facilities and High-Risk Congregate Settings. Registered Health Care Service Firms (HCSF) are included in the definition of “Health Care Facilities” and therefore these mandates apply to all HCSFs and their caregivers, nurses and internal staff. The terms of the EO go into effect on September 7, 2021.
Family Caregivers Spend $7,242 Per Year: Support the Credit for Caring Act to Support Them8/18/2021 HCAOA supports the Credit for Caring Act, which would provide a $5,000 federal tax credit to eligible family caregivers. The average family caregiver spends $7,242 each year to care for a loved one, on things like home modifications, home care, and transportation. Lend your name to this important issue with a click of your mouse. HCAOA urges members to reach out to their elected officials to ask for their support of the Credit for Caring Act. Click here to send a pre-written message to your representatives - it only takes a minute!
 Florida employers can require employees to obtain COVID-19 vaccinations, submit records of such vaccination, and can implement other safety measures for their workplaces, notwithstanding national publicity suggesting that recent Florida rules, orders, and laws prohibit or discourage these public health measures. As the pandemic worsens it is important for employers to understand both the specific terms and the limits of Florida’s enactments. read more
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