PL/News Alerts: Alzheimer’s, July 11 Seminar

ALF:

DADS clarified the requirements for using locking devices in Alzheimer’s facilities or an Alzheimer’s unit. An excerpt:

The ALF licensing rule at 40 TAC §92.61(b)(4)(A) requires small Type A & B ALF and large Type A ALF buildings and structures to be in compliance with the 1988 edition of the Life Safety Code, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 101, Chapter 21 for Residential Board and Care Occupancies. The following directives must be met for small Type A and B ALFs and large Type A ALFs:

Small Type A ALF – NPFA 101, §21-2.2.5.4, which applies to small residential board and care occupancies (such as small ALFs), states: “No door in any means of egress shall be locked against egress when the building is occupied.” A small Type A ALF that uses locking devices or special locking arrangements on doors must disable the locks immediately.

Several news alerts DADS released since June 19:

—  The Social Security Administration is hosting a National Work Incentive Seminar Event on July 11, 2012, at 3 p.m. Eastern Time. Register online at www.choosework.net/wise or call 1-866-968-7842 or 1-866-833-2967.

—  CMS is scheduled to renew the HSC waiver on September 1, 2013. DADS is holding a stakeholder meeting in preparation:

Aug. 21, 2012
1:30-4:30 p.m.
John H. Winters Human Services Complex
Public Hearing Room
701 W. 51st St.
Austin, TX 78751

Agenda

1:30-1:45 p.m.
Introduction
DADS Center for Policy and Innovation and HHSC Medicaid Long-term Services & Supports

1:45-2:15 p.m.
Presentation on HCS Waiver
DADS Center for Policy and Innovation — Waiver and State Plan Services

2:15-4:30 p.m.
Stakeholder Questions and Discussion
DADS/HHSC/Stakeholders

—  DADS will hold two roundtable work sessions on Monday, July 16, 2012, for stakeholders to discuss ideas for reducing the administrative costs and requirements in the MDCP and CLASS waiver programs. The public is welcome to attend these open work sessions:

MDCP Work Session
July 16, 2012
9-11:30 a.m.
John H. Winters Human Services Complex
Public Hearing Room
701 West 51st St.
Austin, Texas

CLASS Work Session
July 16, 2012
1-3:30 p.m.
John H. Winters Human Services Complex
Public Hearing Room
701 West 51st St.
Austin, Texas

—  NFs, swing bed facilities, and corporate users with a QIES account to submit MDS data or view CASPER reports should update their account.

—  The DADS Consumer Rights and Services section’s pilot project to evaluate the receipt and processing of full service delivery during expanded Call Center hours ended on June 30, 2012.

—  June 2012 issue of The MDS Mentor

See the news page for more information about these and other alerts.