Jodi Ouimette, Administrator at Williamstown Common Nursing & Rehabilitation Center shared her story of courage and hope from the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. Interviewed by Congressman Joe Kennedy III, Jodi discussed how her and the staff came together to protect residents and honor their lives during these challenging times.

On Thursday, June 11th, the NASW-MA Chapter is hosting a virtual conference focused on the social work crisis response to serving older adults in residential care.

There are two upcoming webinar series from Mass Senior Care Associate Members, HealthPRO Heritage and Marcum. Clinical reimbursement experts at HealthPRO Heritage presents a three-part webinar series focused on strategies and solutions to assure cash flow and to compliantly optimize revenue during the current COVID-19 and PDPM challenges. Experts from Marcum will provide a webinar on stimulus funding applicable to the healthcare industry in their Coronavirus and the Healthcare Industry webinar series.

Earlier this week, Monster.com, in collaboration with Mass Senior Care Association and the MIT COVID-19 Alliance, launched the Home to Help Senior Care Initiative, bringing 1,200 long term care job postings on the career site, at no cost, to members. Each member nursing facility will have four job postings including Resident Care Assistants, CNAs, LPNs and RNs, which offers a $1,000 state-sponsored signing bonus to individuals beginning work in long-term care facilities by May 15th.

Memorandum To: Mass Senior Care Members From: Tara Gregorio, President Re: COVID-19 Updates: DPH Updates Guidance on Caring for LTC Residents; Webinar Reminder; Reporting Requirement Extensions Date: April 29, 2020 DPH Updates Guidance on Caring for Long-Term Residents during the COVID-19 Emergency The DPH released updated guidance on Caring for Long-Term Residents during the COVID-19 Emergency. Important updates include: Residents should be asked about COVID-19 symptoms and must have their temperatures checked a minimum of two times per day. Limiting

Today, Monster.com in collaboration with Mass Senior Care Association and the MIT COVID-19 Alliance has launched the Home to Help Senior Care Initiative, bringing 1,200 long term care job postings on the career site, at no cost, to members. Each member nursing facility will have four job postings including Resident Care Assistants, CNAs, LPNs and RNs, which offers a $1,000 state-sponsored signing bonus to individuals beginning work in long-term care facilities by May 15th.

Mass Senior Care in collaboration with Hebrew SeniorLife will host a webinar on Thursday, April 30, 2020 from 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm to provide a comprehensive overview of the Infection Control Competency Checklist and as well as the opportunity for questions and answers either within the time of the webinar or thereafter.

MassHealth has issued Nursing Facility Bulletin 145 regarding the Infection Control Competencies and Expectations for Nursing Facilities to qualify for the Phase 2 Medicaid supplemental payments totaling up to 50%. As noted yesterday, this second round of funding provides up to $130 million (additional 50%) for two months for nursing homes that attest and meet specific accountability requirements that are consistent with CMS, CDC and DPH infection control guidance. Specifically, facilities are required to file an attestation on or before April 30th in regard to the 28-point Infection Control checklist.

As a follow-up to Governor Baker Administration’s announcement yesterday on Phase 2 of Medicaid Supplemental Payments, EOHHS will host a webinar at 8 pm tonight to review documents, expectations and compliance timelines.