FACE of Kansas Scholarship for KHCA/KCAL CNA’s wanting to become CMA’s

The Foundation for Aging and Caring of Elders of Kansas Inc. (FACE of Kansas) is pleased to offer the FACE of Kansas Education Scholarship Program. FACE will award $500 scholarships to qualified future CMA’s who are interested in enrolling in a KDADS approved CMA course in the state of Kansas. Potential recipients must have worked as a CNA for at least 6 months in a KHCA/KCAL member building and plan to continue a career in the Long Term Care Profession.

FACE of Kansas is a non-profit organization dedicated to the improvement of the long-term care homes of Kansas through professional opportunities and education for long-term care providers.



The Foundation for Aging and Care of Elders of Kansas, Inc. (FACE of Kansas) was established in 2006 to provide a community organization to promote quality care in Kansas adult care homes. FACE of Kansas seeks to improve the quality of care and services, and the quality of life for elderly and disabled Americans, through opportunities under which members may exchange ideas and obtain education to improve the knowledge, abilities, and standing of the adult care home profession. Only one scholarship per facility may be awarded per year.

Questions about the scholarship can be directed to khca@khca.org. The criteria and application form can be found by clicking here.

Clinical Update from KHCA Consultant Linda Farrar

There is definitely an uptick in F880 Infection Prevention & Control tags related to Water Management Plans (Legionella prevention). Every facility is required to have a Water Management Plan, but surveyors now expect, and are requiring to see documentation of the required testing in the plan.

AHCA has issued a Legionella Prevention with Water management Program “Hot Topic Brief” which addresses the subject. They also have a training webinar that can be accessed here. In addition to survey scrutiny, Legionnaires’ disease in increasing in frequency. “Legionnaires’ disease is very similar to other types of pneumonia and hard to distinguish from pneumonia caused by other pathogens …including cough, shortness of breath, fever, muscle aches, headaches and in some cases diarrhea, nausea, and confusion.” “CDC encouraged healthcare facilities, including assisted living facilities and senior living facilities to have effective water management programs. A water management program is a multistep process to reduce Legionella and OPPP growth and spread; includes identifying devices where Legionella might grow or spread to people, determining control measures, monitoring control measures, and establishing remediation activities and interventions when control measures are not met.”

CMS goes further than “recommendations”. F880 says: READ MORE

TOMORROW! Webinar: Deconstructing Immediate Jeopardy Mitigation: Navigating Top Risk Areas: Reducing Risks related to CPR

6/11/24 - 1:30PM-2:30PM

Click here for more details.

A Message from the President & CEO Linda MowBray: Our Kansas Commitment

Nursing home rates effective July 1, 2024 were published in the Kansas Register June 6, 2024. Click here for a link to the rates. Additionally, don’t forget to log into the Myers and Stauffer portal for your facility specific rate letter.

For HCBS providers, the manual and rate sheets have not yet been published. We will alert you to them when they are available.

This has been a busy week as I joined members, including several from KHCA's Executive Committee, in Washington, D.C., for the AHCA/NCAL Congressional Briefing. The focus of our Hill visits was to advance our fight against the CMS staffing mandate through Congressional measures that prohibit implementation of the rule and supporting legislation that strengthens our workforce.

Kansas was well represented in DC this year with the following members in attendance:

• Scott Averill, Brookside & Wellsville Health & Rehab
• Brian Barbeau, Axiom Healthcare Services
• Polly Berkley, Kansas Health Care Association
• Barry Carr, Ignite
• Randi Carr, Ignite
• Staci Cardenas, Recover-Care Heartland
• John Cervino, Medline Industries
• Kevin Crowley, Diversicare Healthcare Services, Inc
• Sherri Holman, Recover-Care Healthcare
• Anthony Johnson, Recover-Care Healthcare
• Tara Lee, Wellsville
• Corwin Lewis, The Ensign Group
• Linda MowBray, Kansas Health Care Association
• Brett Pu, Brookdale Rosehill
• Della Ribordy, Americare

Also joining us for our visits was Chrissy Morgan, Mission Health

We visited with senior staff from all six of our Kansas delegation’s offices. We were pleased that Senator Marshall and Representative Davids were able to join us as well.

Should you have questions or comments, please feel free to reach out to me. As always, I am grateful for the opportunity to serve you. 

Linda MowBray

lmowbray@khca.org

(785) 267-6003

Senate Receives More Calls To Boost Assisted Living Access For Veterans

McKnight’s Senior Living (6/6, Bowers) reports, "Members of the Senate Special Committee on Aging and Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs received more endorsements for assisted living for veterans Wednesday during a joint hearing." The article highlights several legislative efforts that hearing witnesses advocated for. Earlier this week during the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living Congressional Briefing, AHCA/NCAL Member Services and Government Relations Associate Vice President Dana Ritchie "said that the groups had been informed that the Dole Act could be considered on the House floor as soon as next week." Also, the assisted living pilot program has received "backing from AHCA/NCAL." 

Call for Cases - Burkholderia multivorans associated with ice machines

Read this call for cases of Burkholderia multivorans associated with ice machines. If a case is found, please report it to the KDHE Epidemiology Hotline or call (877) 427-7317.

Honoring House Assistant Majority Leader Les Mason, 69

We lost a great friend and advocate for the elders of Kansas on Monday. His leadership made an enormous difference in the lives of frail Kansans and the people working in the long term care communities who cared for them. Rest in peace Representative Les Mason. We are praying that God's love surrounds you and your family.

Funeral arrangements have been set:

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. June 10 at the Countryside Covenant Church in McPherson. A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. June 11 at the church. Burial will follow at McPherson Cemetery.

Mason, R-McPherson, died in Wichita after suffering a brain aneurysm Friday. Lawmakers and friends said they would remember Mason for his humor, helping nature and desire to represent his constituents.

Gov. Laura Kelly on Wednesday updated the half-staff flag order issued Tuesday in honor of Mason. The order, which affects flags on all state buildings, grounds and facilities, will last until sundown on June 11.