Note: The web links in this document may change over time. DARS-VDA does not attempt to refresh the links once

the week has passed. However, this document is maintained on the web for a period of time as a reference. Some links

may require registration.

VDA WEEKLY E-MAILING

June 20, 2017

Table of Contents

ACL News & Information Link NASUAD State Technical Assistance Link Bon Secours Successful Aging Forum 2017: Aging and the Arts NASUAD 2017 HCBS Conference Details ACL Update: CMS Seeks Public Input on Reducing Regulatory Burdens of the ACA ACL Update: World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Link to DARS Weekly Independent Living Newsletter

ACL News & Information

Here is a link to news & information from the Administration for Community Living (ACL):

https://acl.gov/

NASUAD Information

Here is a link to state technical assistance from NASUAD:

http://www.nasuad.org/state-technical-assistance

Bon Secours Successful Aging Forum 2017: Aging and the Arts

Kathy Miller, Director of Aging Programs

Please see the attached flyer for the Bon Secours Successful Aging Forum that will be held in Richmond on September 25, 2017. Registration is now open. The registration fee is only $10.

Discover the joy of healthy and active agingSeptember 25, 201710 am – 3 pm

West End Assembly of God401 North Parham RoadRichmond, VA 23229

Admission is $10 Includes:• Plated three-course lunch• Health and wellness education• Health expo• Exercise demo• Flu and pneumonia vaccines available• Free parking

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Ronald Crutcher

President and Professor of Music at the University of Richmond

and distinguished classical musician

FO M

Successful Aging

RU

2017 Aging and the Arts

Space is limited. Reserve your place today. To register, call 804-287-7700

or visit bsvaf.org/successfulagingforum

NASUAD 2017 HCBS Conference Details

Cecily Slasor, Administrative Assistant

HCBS Conference Registration Now Open! Register Today!

Register today for the National HCBS

Conference!

Join us for the National Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Conference

held in Baltimore, MD, August 28 - August 31.

Join us for the 2017 National HCBS Conference

The National HCBS Conference - August 28-August 31st in Baltimore, MD,

has become the go-to conference for all local, state, managed care, and

federal partners who are delivering long-term services and supports.

The conference draws over 1,300 attendees from federal, state, and local policymakers and those who administer, manage, and deliver waiver and other HCBS programs. This includes Aging and Disability Directors and Commissioners, as well as Medicaid Directors, MMIS Administrators, and AAA Directors.

Learn from subject matter experts during a day of intensives included in your conference cost!

Workshop presentations are provided from CMS and ACL, state and local experts, and industry partners.

Enjoy five plenary sessions from important thought leaders and leaders in the new Administration.

We are excited to announce that the 2017 National HCBS Conference will be

held at the Marriott Waterfront Baltimore, in Baltimore, MD. The beautiful

hotel is set in the Baltimore Harbor with lots of exciting restaurants,

shopping and museums nearby for your evenings.

The conference rate is $140/per day. Click here to book your room today.

Click here to learn more about the conference and register!

Sponsorship Opportunities

Gain visibility at the premier event for professionals who work within the

field of home and community-based services, the National HCBS

Conference draws over 1,300 participants, and puts your brand in front of

targeted and influential professionals.

The exhibit hall is a major attraction where our participants come to learn

about products and services and to network with industry leaders.

Exhibiting will give you access key influencers and leaders working to

improve HCBS programs throughout the country.

Click here to learn more about sponsorship and exhibiting opportunities.

Register Today

NASUAD | www.nasuad.org | www.hcbsconference.org

June 14, 2017

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeks public input on reducing the regulatory burdens of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA)

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) seeking recommendations and input from the public on how to create a more flexible, streamlined approach to the regulatory structure of the individual and small group markets. The goal is to identify and eliminate or change regulations that are outdated, unnecessary, or ineffective; impose costs that exceed benefits; or create inconsistencies that otherwise interfere with regulatory reform initiatives and policies.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is looking for feedback on regulations under the ACA to determine whether each rule advances or impedes priorities for stabilizing the individual and small group health insurance markets; empowers patients and promotes consumer choice; enhances affordability; and returns regulatory authority to the states. Regulations under review include Essential Health Benefits and Actuarial Value, among others.

Feedback can include providing input to improve rules, maintain rules, change rules, remove rules, and more. Some areas for specific requested feedback, include:

Empowering patients and promoting consumer choice. What activities would best inform consumers and

help them choose a plan that best meets their needs?

Enhancing affordability. What steps can HHS take to enhance the affordability of coverage for individual consumers and small businesses?

Protecting individual independence. How can HHS enhance the opportunities of older adults and people with disabilities to participate in their communities and access the supports they need?

Aging and disability community-based organizations and other groups may wish to provide feedback for these populations and their caregivers and/or family members.

The RFI will be open for public comment for 30 days.

View the Request for Information and details for submitting public comment.

June 15, 2017

WEAAD: Hearing the Voices of Survivors and Building on Growing Momentum to Combat Elder Abuse

By Edwin Walker, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Aging, Administration for Community Living

Today, we join communities around the world coming together to commemorate World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and shine a light on the need to combat elder abuse. As we think about how each of us can advance elder justice, I find it helpful to consider a three-pronged approach.

First, we must reaffirm the inherent value and dignity of each and every older adult in our community and commit to challenging ageism in all of its forms.

Second, we must develop and strengthen the supports that empower older adults to participate in the community.

Finally, we must work together to provide a coordinated and robust response to cases of abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

This approach has guided us at ACL as we have built out new programs and funded new resources to prevent and respond to elder abuse. On this otherwise solemn day, the good news is that I see growing momentum to combat elder abuse.

This momentum can be seen in the events, trainings, film screenings and more being held today around the world. ACL is compiling photos of these events posted on Twitter and Instagram. You can share your photos with us by including #WEAAD when you post.

In Washington DC, we are also seeing momentum. Earlier this week, Acting ACL Administrator Dan Berger and I joined leaders from a dozen federal agencies to reaffirm our commitment to elder justice and map out ways we can work together toward this goal. We see the fruits of the Elder Justice Coordinating Committee’s (EJCC) work in exciting new cross-agency collaborations.

For example, last year the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau partnered with the Department of Justice, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, several other federal agencies, and Meals on Wheels America on a campaign raising awareness about mass mailing fraud. As part of the campaign, volunteers delivering meals to older adults also handed out placemats with consumer protection tips.

We also see growing momentum in congress, where Republicans and Democrats are coming together to brainstorm solutions that address elder justice and even forming a new bipartisan caucus dedicated to promoting elder justice.

And earlier this week, ACL announced three new Elder Justice Innovation Grants to explore outcomes data and reduce harm for adults experiencing maltreatment as well as best practices in Adult Protective Services administration.

As we commemorate WEAAD, we must remember to lift up the voices of those who have faced and witnessed abuse, neglect, or exploitation. At the EJCC meeting this week, we heard from Martin and Heidi McKeever. The McKeevers are caregivers for Heidi’s mother, and witnessed the impact of elder financial exploitation first hand when another family member took advantage of her role as a family guardian.

At the meeting we were also reminded that people with disabilities of all ages can also face shocking rates of abuse, neglect, and exploitation as we heard from Patty Quatieri. Quatieri, who lives with a developmental disability, experienced sexual violence over 30 years ago. Her experience led her to become an advocate for survivors of abuse. She told us that as she has gotten older, she has come to recognize the parallels between the abuse faced by adults with disabilities and the abuse faced by older adults and the need for our communities to work together to address these issues.

The voices of Quatieri and the McKeevers remind us of the devastating impact abuse, neglect, and exploitation can have on people and their families, and reminds us why today, and every

day, we must take a stand against elder abuse.

Link to DARS Independent Living Weekly Newsletter

Rhonda Jeter, MS, CRC, Director of Independent Living

Past issues of IL Weekly News Notes are posted on the DARS IL Public Forms

Cabinet: https://www.vadars.org/formscabinet/Formscabinet.asp?pass=et1&t1=CIL&pg=