Dear Benchmarks' Members, 

We are sending out a quick reminder below highlighting the upcoming training this afternoon by DHHS related to Best Practices of Congregate Living Settings.  AND

We are also SUPER EXCITED to share with you the upcoming webinar opportunity for businesses arranged for us by Parker Poe. (See below)

We do hope you will quickly register and join us!

Take care of each other and stay safe and healthy!

The Benchmarks' Team

TRAINING:  COVID-19: Best Practices for 
Congregate Living Settings
TODAY:  Thursday, April 9, 2020

Due to the rapidly evolving nature of the COVID-19 crisis, the Department will periodically coordinate time-sensitive trainings for urgent and emerging identified training needs.  We are working with our provider communities and other stakeholders to facilitate our mutual commitment to supporting the clinical needs of vulnerable populations during the COVID-19 Pandemic as responsively as possible.  We appreciate the strong collaboration and assistance in ensuring effective communication.
 
NC DHHS has collaborated with Evelyn Cook RN,CIC, Associate Director of the North Carolina Statewide Program for Infection Control (SPICE) to provide a one-hour "refresher" overview on infection prevention in congregate settings on Thursday, April 9, 2020.
 
These trainings are also being published through DHSR directly and through applicable provider associations.  You may receive this invitation from multiple sources.
 
Target Audience:  Staff responsible for communicating and training direct care workers and direct care workers, as available.

This training will provide practical, factual information about COVID-19 to:
  1. Help decrease the spread of the virus;
  2. To increase staff confidence in their ability to safely provide care (both safety for themselves and for the residents) during the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
Time
Target Settings
Registration Link
1:00-2:00p
Nursing Facilities
Intermediate Care Facilities
Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities
State Operated Health Facilities

2:00-3:00p
Assisted Living/Adult Care Homes

If registration is full, please join, please join the 3:30 session.
3:30-4:30p
Smaller residential congregate care settings (Family care homes, MH and IDD Group Homes)


Webinar materials will be available through the NC DHHS COVID-19 Response in North Carolina webpage.
We know many of our members are trying to survive through this pandemic. The CARES Act, and Families First Coronavirus Act offers some solutions,  but so much has come out at one time that many of our agencies are overwhelmed and confused about the options.
 
We reached out to Parker Poe to request that they provide a webinar to help guide agencies through the federal assistance that is available through both Acts. They graciously agreed. 

We are super grateful and excited to be able to share this opportunity with you!


Webinar on the COVID-19 Pandemic and Legislative and Regulatory Changes:  A Behavioral Health Provider's Legal Guide

Monday, April 13, 2020
11:00 am - 12:00 pm (including time to address general questions)

 
The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered dramatic legislative and regulatory action and altered the way health care is being delivered.  Combined, these effects of the pandemic have upended the status quo for health care providers across the country.  As employers, health care providers are faced with unique challenges in this new landscape.  As heavily regulated entities, providers need to navigate the rapidly changing landscape to ensure compliance. 
 
Our team is prepared to help health care providers, vendors, and other entities understand and adapt to their evolving obligations during this pandemic with the least amount of stress and uncertainty possible.   This webinar will cover the following topics: 
  • CARES Act
    • Payment Protection Program
    • Economic Impact Disaster Loans (Including Grant Advances)
    • Expansion Of Accelerated And Advance Payment Program
    • Public Health And Social Services Emergency Fund
    • Employee Retention Tax Credit    
  • The Families First Coronavirus Response Act
    • FMLA Expansion Leave
    • Emergency Paid Sick Leave
    • The "health care provider" exception
  • DOLL guidance on wage payment and leave issues
  • CDC guidance for businesses and employers
  • Business Interruption Insurance Policies
  • North Carolina Medicaid Policy Changes
  • Potential North Carolina Licensure Changes 
Webinar Recording : Register for the webinar even if you can't attend live. We will send you the recording to view later.
 
Who Should Attend : Suggested attendees are behavioral health providers, agency and facility owners, managers, administrators, compliance staff, human resource directors, and in-house counsel.
 
Confirmation : After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
 
Speaker: Matt Wolfe, Parker Poe; Robb Leandro, Parker Poe; Tory Summery, Parker Poe;
 
 
Notes:
The presentation will be recorded and a webinar replay link provided if you are unable to attend. Just register and you will get the information afterward. 

Each person will need to register separately and will be emailed a unique link to attend the webinar.