Greetings!

This message includes:
 
  • a link to the portal set up by AHCA/NCAL and other associations to gather information from assisted living, memory care and CCRCs for a possible distribution of CARES Act Provider Relief funds;
  • a document from DSS on COVID-19 Mitigation Plans for Assisted Living Facilities and numerous tips and best practices; and
  • a new memo from DSS on the Department of Labor and Industry (DOLI) Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS).
Sincerely,
April 

April Payne, LNHA
Vice President of Quality Improvement | Director of VCAL
Virginia Health Care Association | Virginia Center for Assisted Living 
Data Submission Portal Information
 
As we informed you earlier this week, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is considering a possible distribution of CARES Act Provider Relief Funds to private-pay assisted living/memory care providers that are stand-alone or part of a CCRC.
 
NCAL, Argentum, ASHA, and LeadingAge are assisting HHS in an effort to collect the necessary information from these providers through a private,  secure data collection portal  to help ease a potential future distribution of application funds. At this time, we have no guarantee such a distribution will happen, nor are we aware of an allocation methodology, if such a distribution were to occur. However, providing HHS with this data is an important step forward, and we appreciate your help in being responsive to their request. Providers should submit the relevant data into  this  portal by  Monday, August 3 at 5:00 pm .
Who is eligible to submit information?
 
We encourage private-pay assisted living and memory care providers that are stand-alone or those part of a CCRCs in the U.S. states and territories to submit their data. Please note that some states may use different terminology (e.g. personal care homes, supportive living facilities, etc.) to describe their licensed assisted living-type providers. All of these providers are encouraged to submit their information. For purposes of this portal, the term licensure also includes assisted living and memory care communities registered or certified by the state. Submitting your data does not guarantee you will receive or be eligible to receive a payment. You do not need to be a member of one of our senior living trade associations to participate in this secure and confidential data-collection effort.
 
What data must be submitted?
 
  • Name of licensed/registered/certified assisted living and/or memory care community
  • Name of entity that holds the license/registration/certification
  • Address
  • Community license/registration/certification number (some states may not provide a number)
  • Corresponding Tax Identification Number (TIN)
  • Taxpayer ID Number for the filing company
  • Contact information for the person submitting data
  • Include licensed assisted living that is part of a CCRC or a skilled nursing facility (SNF), even if the SNF has already received funding from the Provider Relief Fund.
 
Where do I submit the data?
 
All of the above information should be submitted either manually or by uploading a specific file ( see instructions for details ) in the  secure data collection portal . You will need to create an account. Please complete all the fields to ensure your submission will be accepted. Incomplete submissions will likely result in a delay in their inclusion.
 
What is the deadline to submit data?
 
Please submit the requested data into the  secure data collection portal  by  Monday, August 3 at 5:00 pm ET.
 
Thank you for your quick action in support of this vital aid to our industry. If you have any questions, please contact [email protected] .
COVID-19 Mitigation Plans for ALFs and
Tips and Best Practices

DSS has issued a document outlining recommended COVID-19 Mitigation Plans for Assisted Living Facilities (ALFs) . DSS recommends that any plan for mitigating the impact of COVID-19 address the following components:
  • Testing/screening
  • Infection prevention and control
  • Personal protective equipment
  • Staffing
  • Cohorting and designation of space
  • Communication
 
Additionally, DSS issued Tips and Best Practices for:
DSS Memo on DOLI Emergency Temporary Standard

DSS has issued a memo to all of its licensed entities, including ALFs, noting the applicability of the emergency temporary standard (ETS) issued by the Department of Labor and Industry (DOLI). The ETS became effective on July 27, 2020 and apply to every employer, employee, and place of employment in Virginia. The ETS establish requirements for employers to control, prevent, and mitigate the spread of the coronavirus.
 
Resources related to the ETS are available on this DOLI webpage .
Quick Links
www.vhca.org | (804) 353-9101 | Calendar of Events