03/03/2021

Today's COVID-19 Report: Wednesday, March 3

Wednesday, March 3, 2021

Here are the latest need-to-know updates for Wednesday, March 3 regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and other topics of importance.

A REMINDER TO ALL MEMBERS

Check LeadingAge's FAQs and Resources on COVID-19 Vaccines and Issues Surrounding Vaccinations frequently. 

The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) released a toolkit with talking points, language tips, social media language, and trusted resources to help providers better communicate information regarding the COVID-19 vaccines. 

In Today's Report

• LeadingAge Action Alert: COVID-19 bill lacks needed relief 
• Long-Term Care Pharmacy locator
• BELTSS makes requested change to Pandemic CE program for LNHAs
• BWC air quality assistance now includes hospice
• National hospice study: Providers encouraged to complete input survey
• Vaccine town hall: Thursday, March 4 at 7:00PM
• Scholarship applications being accepted thru April 15
• LeadingAge Need to Know

LeadingAge Action Alert: COVID-19 bill lacks needed relief 

The U.S. Senate is about to vote on its COVID-19 relief package. Unfortunately, the Senate bill shares two large gaps with the House-passed bill: no provider relief fund, and no relief for affordable senior housing. LeadingAge is asking members to tell Senators to pass a more comprehensive COVID-19 relief bill. Adding these key provisions to the Senate version of the COVID-19 relief bill will provide funding for provider relief and residents of affordable senior housing communities.

Long-Term Care Pharmacy locator

On Friday, the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP) posted on their website a map of Long-Term Care (LTC) pharmacies contracted federally for vaccine distribution. This interactive resource is located on the ASCP webpage. In addition, ASCP shared the list of LTC pharmacies that have contracted with the federal government to acquire and deliver vaccines and vaccine services in nursing homes, assisted living and other congregate environments. ASCP will update the list and the map daily if necessary to identify pharmacies capable of helping.  

BELTSS makes requested change to Pandemic CE program for LNHAs

The Board of Executives of Long-term Services and Supports (BELTSS) announced the following changes to its Pandemic CE program for licensed nursing home administrators (LNHAs):

• LNHAs now have 30 days post-program attendance to submit for approval, instead of the original five days;
• If LNHAs were previously denied or did not apply due to not meeting the submission deadline, they have until March 31,2021 to submit/resubmit and be considered for credit, and may go back to the beginning of the program (11/1/2020); and
• The program was scheduled to end on July 1, 2021, but that has been changed to stay active for as long as the Governor’s state of emergency declaration remains in effect.

BELTSS shared that new forms reflecting the updated time frame will be posted to the website soon on the Continuing Education page under the heading “Pandemic CEs”.

BWC air quality assistance now includes hospice

Learn about upcoming webinars focused on air quality improvements to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, including recent expansions to the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) COVID-19 Indoor Air Quality Assistance Program. The BWC has expanded this program to also include hospice providers. This program, funded with federal CARES Act dollars, makes grants available to providers to update HVAC systems to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other airborne viruses.

National hospice study: Providers encouraged to complete input survey

The nation’s hospice community is changing at an unprecedented rate. Last year, the sector faced its biggest challenge - COVID-19. This challenge, combined with patient access and staffing shortages, are forcing provider organizations to redefine themselves. To do this, national-level research is needed that will guide programmatic efforts and help define what it means to provide health care in the home.

For this reason, the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) is co-sponsoring a national study with LeadingAge designed to help the hospice community both manage and provide quality outcome-driven care in the new reform environment. Known as the 2021 National Healthcare at Home Best Practices and Future Insights Study, the research project will help identify best practices that agencies can implement to position themselves for future success. NHPCO encourages all agencies to complete the online input survey.

Deadline to complete the input survey is Friday, March 12.

Vaccine town hall: Thursday, March 4 at 7:00PM

LeadingAge, in partnership with the Black Coalition Against COVID (BCAC), will host a national town hall to address concerns about the COVID-19 vaccine among workers in the aging services community.

“Making It Plain: A Town Hall On COVID-19 and Vaccines For the Dedicated People Who Work in Aging Services” will be held Thursday, March 4 from 7:00-8:30PM. The virtual event, open to workers from all levels and backgrounds, will be broadcast by BlackDoctor.org through Facebook Live and YouTube. Read the press release to learn more about the speakers.

Scholarship applications being accepted thru April 15

While COVID has delayed many opportunities to come together, the LeadingAge Ohio Foundation’s commitment to support members to “grow our own” through employee scholarships has never been stronger. The Foundation Board has allocated funds to support the General Scholarship Fund. The Aging Services General Scholarship is awarded for up to $1,500 for an individual desiring to advance their careers in aging services fields, including nursing (i.e., those wishing to move from STNA to LPN, or LPN to RN, etc.); as well as dietary, activities, maintenance, therapy and other professional lines. Visit the LeadingAge Ohio website for all the details on eligibility, criteria and more. Applications are being accepted through April 15, 2021.

If you have questions or inquiries regarding the scholarship program, please contact Jennifer Taylor, Director Member Experience, at jtaylor@leadingageohio.org or by calling 614-545-9028. 

LeadingAge Need to Know: COVID-19 – March 3, 2021

LeadingAge shares the latest coronavirus news and resources with members twice each weekday. This morning's update featured information on the Life Safety and Emergency Preparedness: Post-COVID Compliance webinar taking place on April 8.

Check out the full report here.

Questions

Please send all questions to COVID19@leadingageohio.org. Additionally, members are encouraged to visit the LeadingAge Ohio COVID-19 Working Group facebook group to pose questions to peers and share best practices. LeadingAge is continuing its daily calls for all members.  To participate in these daily online updates, members should register here.  

LeadingAge Ohio is working to ensure that the information in our daily alerts, on our website, and all coronavirus-related communications is as accurate as possible. However, LeadingAge Ohio makes no guarantees about the accuracy of the information.