DSS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETS

VHCA (7/28/2005)

The Department of Social Services hosted an ALF Advisory Committee Meeting on June 22nd to review drafts of Emergency Regulations to implement provisions in the legislation passed by the 2005 General Assembly.  There was also discussion centered on a comprehensive revision of current regulations, ALF Replacement Regulations.  Unfortunately, the Department did not present a copy of regulations for review to members of the Advisory Committee so discussion and comments were based solely on the information that was made available by DSS staff. 

Teresa Weeks, VCAL Chairman represented our Association at the meeting along with VCAL staff.  There will not be an opportunity for public comment on the Emergency Regulations scheduled to be presented to the State Board of Social Services for adoption at their August meeting.  They are expected to be in place no later than December 28, 2005.  However, there will be an opportunity to comment on the ALF Replacement Regulations that will additionally be presented for approval at their Boards August meeting. 

Highlights of the Emergency Regulations include the following:

• Provisions related to allowing administrators to be onsite fewer than 40 hours each week under certain circumstances when facilities are licensed as smaller facilities. 
• A requirement that all direct care staff have First Aid and CPR training.  This possible change was the subject of lengthy discussion at the meeting. 
• Addition of a requirement for health care oversight at least twice a year for residential only facilities, and added responsibilities for health care oversight to include determining if the facility has sufficient information to assist with safe administration of medications and documentation of the review. 
  Increasing the annual review of medications from annually to every six months.
• Public disclosure to provide information that describes services, fees, criteria for admission and discharge, number and qualification of staff, activities and facility ownership.  This was an integral provision in the newly enacted law to offer consistency to prospective residents and their families with information to assist them in making an informed choice. 
• An increase in the annual training of direct care staff providing assisted living care from 12 to 16 hours annually, with at least four of the 16 in needs of MI/MR when these populations are in care.  This was one of the emergency requirements that received a great deal of debate among members of the Advisory Committee. 

We will not know the specifics of these emergency measures until the provisions are submitted to the Board of Social Services for its approval in mid-August.  In addition, an overview of the ALF Replacement Regulations will be made available to our members once they are released.