ACF/AL Advocacy Day Gets Member Issues Front and Center

On April 23, LeadingAge New York held an advocacy day dedicated to Adult Care Facility (ACF), Assisted Living Program (ALP) and Assisted Living Residence (ALR) issues.  Member participants reported that it was the best advocacy day yet!  We had productive meetings with legislators and with DOH leadership, and are very optimistic that we will be able to achieve many of our goals.  The day started with a very positive discussion with DOH's Director of the Center for Healthcare Quality and Surveillance, Keith Servis.  Among the issues discussed are:

• Areas in which we may be able to work together to help streamline the application process for all categories of ACF/AL licensure;
• Areas in which greater consistency in interpretation of regulation is necessary;
• Our proposal to allow nurses to perform certain functions in ACF and AL settings;
• Ensuring that prior year’s funds for ACFs are finally distributed; and,
• Urging for the implementation of last year’s ALP reforms.

In our meetings with legislators, we encouraged:

• The passage of proposed legislation that requires ACFs to conduct criminal history record checks for prospective employees and allows them to get reimbursed for it;
• Support for a change in ALP retention standards that would enable a "two person assist"; and,
• Support to enable a more streamlined application process for all categories of ACF/AL licensure.

LeadingAge New York will continue to work on all of these issues.  We will keep members apprised of our progress and how you can help. 

Contact: Diane Darbyshire, ddarbyshire@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8828