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CMS Proposed Rule Impacting Culture Change

2010/08/03

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments by Wednesday, August 11, for a proposed rule related to the use of civil money penalty funds for nursing homes, which has important implications for the culture change movement. Pioneer Network strongly encourages all organizations and coalitions supportive of culture change to submit comments electronically. Supported by a grant from the Rothschild Foundation, the Pioneer Network has created an electronic toolkit -- including model language that you can simply cut, paste, and send - with all of the necessary information to submit comments in just a few minutes. Please visit the link below for the model language and direct links to the proposed rule and electronic submission page. http://www.pioneernetwork.net/AdvocacyAlert/ We strongly urge you to take the few minutes necessary to submit comments prior to the August 11 deadline using the simple tools we provide. It's an easy, yet critical, policy action you can take to advance the culture change movement. Additional Background: CMS is currently seeking comments by Wednesday, August 11, to a proposed rule (42 CFR Part 488) related to civil money penalty funds for nursing homes under the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Pioneer Network applauds both Congress and the Administration's focus on promoting improvements in the health, safety and overall well-being of nursing home residents, and has urged CMS to prioritize culture change transformation in long term care settings as a successful quality improvement tool. The proposed rule presents a concrete opportunity to embed culture change principles within the current system. To that end, Pioneer Network recommends three changes to the proposed rule that would further incentivize government and providers to focus more attention and energy to meaningful culture change: Increase the amount of the federal portion of civil money penalty funds that are directed to CMS from 50 percent, in the proposed rule, to 90 percent; Promote the federal funding of grant projects in culture change in nursing homes as a successful strategy for improving the health, safety and well-being of nursing home residents, leading to overall improvements in nursing home quality; and Issue specific guidance requiring culture change to be incorporated into any quality improvement activities supported by civil money penalty funds. In the Affordable Care Act and in other places, Congress and the Administration have signaled strong support of culture change in long term care. For example, Section 6114 of the Affordable Care Act includes a pilot project to develop best practices for nursing homes that are involved in the culture change movement. In order advance important quality improvement initiatives we must ensure that funding streams are available. Section 6114 includes language concerning development of funding streams for culture change. Civil money penalty funds seem to be ideal for fulfilling this portion of the legislative mandate. Directing additional funds to CMS and promoting evidence-based culture change initiatives is consistent with Congress and the Administration's position, and will help to transform long term care and spur real improvements in quality and outcomes for residents. Again, more detailed information, including model comments, is available on Pioneer Network's Web site at: http://www.pioneernetwork.net/AdvocacyAlert/ Urgently Needed Medicaid FMAP Funds Go to States National Long Term Care Business Coalition Says Funding Will Support Local Economies and Long Term Care Jobs Base Long Term Care Business Leaders Urge President to Sign Bill into Law August 11, 2010 Contact: Rebecca Reid For Immediate Release (410) 212-3843 Washington, DC – Noting the domino effect of adequate long term care funding on local economies and sector jobs, a national long term care business coalition today praised the House of Representatives for “making it official” following the critical Senate passage last week, by passing the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) bill yesterday, a bill that would inject states with new Medicaid funds. President Obama was quick to sign the bill into law late yesterday. “Nationwide, the long term care industry provides almost two million jobs and employers account for approximately 1% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), “ said Gail Rader Founder of Care Perspectives, Inc. a consulting firm located in Philipsburg, New Jersey and chair of the Steering Committee for the Community Cares Coalition (CoCares). “Federal funding of skilled nursing facilities directly impacts the stability of sector jobs that in many cases contribute to the quality of care and long term care services for our elderly. The passage of FMAP is vital in extending urgently needed funding to keep important long term care businesses afloat in a sluggish and still uncertain economy. Thousands of jobs are at stake.” As part of the economic stimulus bill, known officially as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), Congress enacted a temporary increase in the Medicaid Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) for all states in an effort to protect vulnerable populations in the midst of a deep, enduring recession. In a special one day session, the House passed by a vote of 247-161 yesterday, an extension of FMAP funding for state Medicaid programs from January through June 2011. “The nation’s long term businesses praise the House of Representatives for doing the right thing for American’s elderly, small businesses and long term care sector and we continue to urge Congress and the President to protect both Medicare and Medicaid funding from future reductions,” stated Rader. “While the passage of FMAP sends a positive signal to state and local long term care businesses, the long term care sector is experiencing $26 billion in Medicare cuts. Make no mistake and that funding cuts to skilled nursing care creates economic instability in the entire long term care sector.” # # # The Community Cares Coalition consists of long term care community businesses and organizations across America. To view a list of CoCares members, please visit www.mycocares.org .

Plan now to attend the 2011 NCCAP Educational Symposium June 3 - 5th.

2010/06/14

The 2010 NCCAP Educational Symposium was a HUGE Success! As with all National Associations, each has their own specific mission and vision, and NCCAP's mission was met in meeting the consumer needs, and ensuring that those we serve have optimal life experiences. While this symposium was geared toward the educator/consultant/mepap instructor and trainer, the educational sessions were also directly related to the credentialing process and specializations that were adopted by NCCAP based on the nearly three years of education committee research, input and recommendations to the NCCAP Board of Directors. Sessions such as Developing Instructional Objectives, Components of a Good Test, Practical applications of MEPAP, Speaking and presenting with Power Point Presentations, an Educator Panel, Interactive Teaching Methods, Specialization round tables and the MEPAP Instructor Training, were enjoyed by all who attended. The vendors that attended also targeted the educator/trainer in computer programs, technical support, and educational materials that would support their business or their professional role. NCCAP also challenged the country in a Best Practice, and the committee led by Mark Laker, MSW - choose the following recipients for 2010. Gloria Hoffner, ADPC - "Sterling Science Program" Bryan Rife, ADC - "Magic Moments" Laurie Kloepper, ADC - "Farm Days" The recipients presented their programs to the attendees and challenged them to encourage other professionals to take the lead in establishing Best Practices for their Person Centered Care Facilities. Also recognized; Bettye Cecil, ACC -(SC)-(NCCAP Spirit Award)- for her ongoing support of the profession, professionalism and input into NCCAP and it's vision throughout the years, her insight into the MEPAP, and her continued quest to assist other in their professional goals of becoming NCCAP certified. Calvin Vain, NHA Future Care (MD)- (Administrator of the Year) was recognized for his outstanding support of the profession, and commitment to excellence as a leader and as a supporter of the profession. Shelley Evans, ADC and the staff at DeMay Living Center (NY) (Activity Department of the Year) - for their excellence in service delivery and activities services to their residents as a team, working together to bring quality of life to the individuals in their person centered environment. Jennifer Krupa, ACC (OH)- (MEPAP Instructor of the Year)for her continued contributions to the profession by not only instructing hundreds of activity professionals over the years, but also that she assists each and every one of the students in applying for their NCCAP credential COAP-NC - (State Activity Association of the Year) for their support of the NCCAP certification process, involving NCCAP in every educational workshop/seminar, offering "hands on" certification assistance, offering the BTG, documentation workshops to help others achieve their ADC Tr 5, and challenging the country to gain more NCCAP certified members, doubling their own state from 101 to over 200 in one year! Delewareseniorcenter.org (Website of the Year) Sandy Miller accepted this award on behalf of the organization, which offers several avenues to the professionals to utilize in their field. Here are some of the comments of those that attended; "Felt the positive energy" "ready to meet the challenges head on" "Loved the format, well done, provided a nice range of education" "I honestly think this was the best conference I have ever attended, don't change a thing" "How awesome to get 16.25 ce's in 2 days, thank you thank you - also thanks for the opportunity to apply for the CEU's for my CTRS. "Thank you for offering a format to exchange ideas with other consultants" "This was so great, I'm psyched to attend the 2011 symposium" "Thank you for offering a professional conference, no frills, just the specifics that I needed for my business" "Appreciated being asked for my input into the future of the credentialing process, keep the round tables" "Been to several activity conferences, this one targeted me as the educator" "Huge success!!!!, Thank you for listening to the needs of the certified members, good work NCCAP education committee, you gave me just what I asked for"

A Tribute to Bettye Cecil, NCCAP 2010 Spirit Award recipient

2010/06/13

Written by, and posted with permission of; grand daughter Lauren E. Cecil Well it (the NCCAP Symposium) was quite a trip! As G-Momma (grandma) said, it was our first trip with just the two of us. I was a little apprehensive as to how much I was going to enjoy myself, but let me tell you what fun I had. For starters, I have discovered the secret to air travel! Just take your Grandmother and ask for wheelchair assistance, you will be escorted to the front of every line and whisked through airport security. However, as a side note, you must remember to take off your back brace because if you don't they are not shy about strip searching little old ladies. The symposium was great, I learned a lot. Did you know that Grandmother is the Mick Jagger of the activity world? It was like traveling with Michael Jackson, everywhere we went people knew her name and came rushing up to her with tears in their eyes. I had always known my Grandmother was a smart lady; after all she was the one who helped me with all my science projects. But up until this point I had never seen her as a woman, just as my grandmother. Dad had told me how White Oak had come into being and I had always heard stories of Mr. Kent. Little Kent and I had always seen him at the home office in the big seat while we were there raiding the supply closet, the break room coca-cola stash and taping every square inch of the office with scotch tape. But I never knew that it was my Grandmother who was the unsung hero of the company. On the trip, I asked her what it was like back in the "old days" trying to help her prepare for her Historical Wisdom Panel speech. Her first words were "I was always in the way." Papa had put her in activities because she liked to knit and crochet, no doubt discounting activities as so many seem to. Bingo was the name of the game then and that was about all there was to do in a nursing home in those days... it was where you went to die. But Grandmother and her cohorts changed that. With non-existent budgets and the sheer desire to deliver those in our keep with a better quality of life these few men and women worked tirelessly. Grandmother was voracious for knowledge and sought it wherever she could, teaching others what she had learned and fostering communication between those in the LTC activity community. She related a story to me about how she had done something as simple as putting up mirrors in the hallways in the Spartanburg home. It was something she had learned from a Norwegian nursing home. A woman with Alzheimer's was put in front of the mirror and didn't even recognize herself. Heartbreakingly it had been some time since she had last seen her own reflection, a task that you and I take for granted but one that had been denied to her previously in the nursing home. Nursing homes were a serious place with sick people that needed to be in bed and not attending silly "meaningful activities." Well, it seems that my wise, young G-Momma was ahead of her time. Grandmother and her buddies gave meaning back to so many people's lives. People don't go to nursing homes to die, they come to us to LIVE and it is because of the work of my grandmother that nursing homes have changed and are continuing to change. I got a precious gift this weekend; I got to know my grandmother. As she was honored for her life's work I was there to be witness to how one person can make the difference in so many lives.

Activity Professionals to take a bigger role in the HealthCare Reform proposals.. WRITE your congressman today!!!

2010/04/14

There are numerous ways in which you as an activity professional can take a bigger role in the issues that directly or indirectly impact your residents. One of the ways in which you can become involved is to write your congressman on those issues that most affect your location, your population and those we care for in our varied facilities, in their homes. One such organization is www.CoCares.org - they are a national coalition that is addressing such issues as the Medicare cuts in the Healthcare Reform bill, and how those cuts could affect the staffing issues, jobs and our residents. Please see their website for more detailed information, as well as a sample letter and contact information in the event you wish to address this or any other issue with your local congressman and/or state senator. NCCAP will be serving on the CoCares Steering committee and addressing some of these issues with Capitol Hill members, so let us here the things you are concerned with, and be sure to send NCCAP a copy of the letters you are writing on behalf of your residents. Contact Your U.S. Representative Today! CONTACT YOUR U.S. REPRESENTATIVE TODAY! Take Action! URGENT!! PLEASE MAKE THE DEADLINE! WRITE YOUR U.S. REPRESENTATIVE TODAY AND ASK THEM TO PRESERVE MEDICARE AND MEDICAID FUNDING FOR SENIORS!!! A new bipartisan letter from Rep. Shelley Berkley and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) to House Budget Committee Chairman John Spratt (D-SC) and Ranking Member Paul Ryan (R-WI) -- asks them to help preserve vital Medicare and Medicaid funding for long term patient care. Specifically, the letter draws needed attention to the chronic Medicaid under funding crisis, which is increasingly problematic for skilled nursing patients and workforce across the country. Congress needs to hear from long term care business leaders like you that a robust and thriving long term care sector is good for local economies and the tax base. Ask your U.S. Representative to sign the Berkeley-Capito letter Urging House Budget Committee leadership to Preserve Vital Medicare and Medicaid funding for long term care TODAY! The letter may close for signatures on April 15th, so please click through now and send your letter! http://capwiz.com/mycocares/issues/alert/?alertid=14914466&PROCESS=Take+Action to send a letter go to this link, put in your zipcode and address this issue with your state congressman - or feel free to write your own letter...act now for your residents.

AHCA /NCAL announces Driving for Quality Care RVTour - they need support, see how you can help!

2010/07-12

The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) recently launched a nationwide Driving for Quality Care RV tour highlighting the underfunding of long term care. This tour empowers seniors, family members, and caregivers by inviting them to sign an actual or online national petition and write letters to Member of Congress- our website provides greater detail www.drivingforqualitycare.com. Earlier today, the Tour stopped in New Rochelle, New York at the Bayberry Care Center. At the event, facility residents, caregivers, and family members had the opportunity to show their support, sign the petition and write letters. We encourage you to join your fellow New Yorkers and get on board with the Driving for Quality Care RV Tour. Click here http://www.capwiz.com/ahca/issues/alert/?alertid=15181671 to send a letter to your Members of Congress and click here http://www.drivingforqualitycare.com/forms/sign/sign-the-petition/write-congress to sign the online petition.

Individual Certified Member Quality Survey Summary

2010/07/08

In response to a letter received by a state association, stating some "concerns" that they had with some of the NCCAP procedures, NCCAP decided to survey the membership as a whole to determine if these were isolated incidents, or bigger in nature. We are pleased to report that the surveys were favorable as follows; Over 1100 surveys were mailed out with the certification renewals over the past 6 months (a 1/6 of the membership was surveyed). Surveys were received back from all but 9 states (AK,AR,LA,ME,MT,NE,OK,SD,UT) which perhaps could mean that they were not up for renewal during that 6 months time frame. 1100 Surveys mailed out 460 Surveys returned to the NCCAP office (nearly 50%) The questions included: When contacting the NCCAP office, is the answer you received helpful? 377 said yes, 1 said no When completing the certification process, did you find the certification booklet easy to understand? 398 said yes, 25 said no. When completing the application, did you find it easy to complete? 435 said yes, 14 said no. When you contacted the NCCAP office, is your request answered in a timely fashion? 231 said THAT day, 148 said WITHIN a few days, 16 said within the week. How did they receive information about NCCAP? The answer included: NCCAP website, mailed from NCCAP office, State activity conferences and their MEPAP instructors. Another issue asked in the letter addressed, why with 96,000. a year in salaries(per the posted nccap budget of 2010), why the phone wasn;t answered when someone called...NCCAP has 3.5 staff members. The Executive Director who travels all across the country speaking at the various state conferences, exhibiting at the healthcare venues to promote nccap to the community at large, and recruiting new visibility and exposure to NCCAP and the need to hire qualified, certified individuals. NCCAP is also working closely with individuals from other countries to assist in their credentialing needs (be watching for more on this..). The voice mail states "that the ED travels alot, but to email for a quicker response". The Administrative Assistant, answers the phone, in addition to the other responsibilities, and as many of you know, takes the time to explain the process so that a person is able to understand it best, some calls can last 20 - 45 minutes each. She also receives 3 - 50 calls on the voice message each day that get returned by weeks end. The computer person, maintains the continually changing data base of instructors, state reps, certified members (200-400 renewing each month) the level changes, the specializations, the ce's and the forms. She does try to answer the phones in addition to her daily job. The Executive Assistant, works part time, and responds to calls, as able in between the mailings, state rep updates, reviewing mail, filing, addressing member needs etc. The average week NCCAP receives over 300 emails, and about 200 phone calls. So as you can see, NCCAP works hard to meet your needs on a timely basis and the survey reiterates we are doing a pretty good job at it! Yea team!!! NCCAP is excited to be heading into our 25th year as an organization, and we look forward to continued success and serving you the certified individuals internally and also externally representing you into the healthcare community.

MDS 3.0 update

2010/02/08

A Closer Look at the MDS 3.0: News and Overview for Activity and Recreation Professionals By Kimberly Grandal, CTRS, ACC/EDU February 8, 2010 The MDS 3.0 implementation date is scheduled for October 1, 2010. CMS highly recommends that everyone should hold back from training until after the "Train-the-Trainer" sessions have been completed. The Train-The-Trainer sessions are scheduled for the spring of 2010. Although it’s still too early to start training the staff on how to complete the MDS 3.0, it’s important to keep abreast of any MDS 3.0 news. The RAI User Manual is available for download. It’s not too early to start reviewing these materials and familiarize yourself with the new terminology, form design and layout, and the process. This way you will be more prepared to ask questions when you are presented with specific training opportunities. I’ve begun reading various components of the RAI Version 3.0 Manual. The following is a summary of what I have gathered to date. Advantages of the MDS 3.0 A 5-year CMS Nursing Home MDS 3.0 Validation Study suggests that the MDS 3.0 has many advantages such as: • Increased resident’s voice • Increased clinical relevance for assessment • Increased accuracy, both validity and reliability • Increased clarity and efficiency • 45% reduction in the average time for completion • Supports the movement of items toward future electronic formats Downloads • The CMS website has the MDS 3.0 materials, forms, timetables, RAI User Manual, etc. available for download. Visit http://www.cms.hhs.gov/NursingHomeQualityInits/25_NHQIMDS30.asp To download the MDS 3.0 RAI user manual scroll down the page and click on MDS 3.0 RAI Manual Jan 2010. The section for Customary Routine and Activities is called section F and is located in the Chapter 3 file folder. The section which refers to Recreation Therapy can be found in section 0, Special Treatments and Procedures. • You can also download sections F and O at www.recreativeresources.com/MDS3.0.htm • Other items to download on the CMS website include: o MDS 3.0 Item Subsets – A file that contains the various subsets of the MDS 3.0 assessment and tracking document such as admission, quarterly, annual, significant change, discharge, etc. o MDS 3.0 Item Matrix - This document identifies the items required for each type of assessment along with how the item is used (e.g. QMs, QIs, CATs, RUG-IV, or RUG-III). o MDS 3.0 Data Submission Specifications - Detailed data submission specifications for MDS 3.0. o MDS 3.0 CATs Specifications - This document provides Care Area Trigger (CAT) specifications for the MDS 3.0 items used in triggering the Care Area, the conditions for triggering, and Visual Basic code for triggering. Education CMS provided a webcast, entitled, MDS 3.0: Part 1- An Introduction, on December 17, 2009. You can view this archived webcast for free at http://surveyortraining.cms.hhs.gov/pubs/VideoInformation.aspx?cid=1074 • This webcast was the first of a three part series focused on providing information about the MDS 3.0. The other webcasts in the series include: o 2nd Part: Coding the MDS 3.0 (late spring/early summer, 2010) o 3rd Part: CMS Programs impacted by the MDS 3.0 (summer, 2010 Resident Assessment Instrument Overview The Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) version 3.0 is no different than the 2.0 version in that it is a structured, standardized approach for applying a problem identification process in nursing homes. Completion of the RAI includes: assessment, decision making, care planning, care plan implementation and evaluation. Care Area Assessment The Care Area Assessment (CAA) process provides guidance on how to focus on problems, concerns or important issues that are identified in the comprehensive and MDS assessment. There are 20 CAA-s which include: 01. Delirium 02. Cognitive Loss/Dementia 03. Visual Function 04. Communication 05. ADL Function/Rehabilitation Potential 06. Urinary Incontinence and Indwelling Catheter 07. Psychosocial well-being 08. Mood State 09. Behavioral Symptoms 10. Activities 11. Falls 12. Nutritional Status 13. Feeding Tube 14. Dehydration/Fluid Maintenance 15. Dental Care 16. Pressure Ulcer 17. Psychotropic Drug Use 18. Physical Restraints 19. Pain 20. Return to Community Referral The MDS 3.0 identifies the actual or potential problem areas and the CAA process provides for further assessment. Care Area Triggers (CATs) replaced the MDS 2.0 Resident Assessment Protocol (RAPs). The triggers identify those who have or are at risk for developing various functional problems in any of the 20 CAAs and directs staff to evaluate further. The Care Area Resources is a list of resources that may be helpful in performing the assessment of a triggered care area. The Care Area Summary (Section V of the MDS 3.0), provides a location for documentation of the care areas that have triggered from the MDS and the decisions made during the CAA process regarding whether or not to proceed with care planning. Just as with the MDS 2.0, further documentation for each triggered CAA is required. Documentation for each triggered CAA should describe: • The nature of the issue, concern or condition • Causes and contributing factors • Complications related to the specific care area • Risk factors • Need for referral or further evaluation by appropriate health care professionals • What research, resources or assessment tools were utilized There are four types of triggers which can change how the CAA is reviewed: • Potential Problems • Broad Screening Triggers • Prevention of Problems • Rehabilitation Potential In terms of activities, the purpose of the CAA is to identify strategies to assist the resident in increasing their involvement in meaningful activities that have been of interest to them in the past and to help them find new or adapted activities of interest to accommodate their current level of functioning. The CAA for activities is triggered when there are indications that the resident may have a decrease in involvement in social activities. The information from the assessment should be used to identify residents who may be uneasy in social relationships and activities. In addition, assessment information is to identify resident interests and identify possible causes or risk factors. Chapter 4 of the CMS RAI Version Manual also addresses care planning. Tips for care planning are provided. The manual indicates six general care planning areas: • Functional status • Rehabilitation/Restorative Nursing • Health Maintenance • Discharge Potential • Medications Daily Care Needed When residents trigger for activities, the CMS RAI Version 3.0 manual states that the focus of the care plan should be to address the underlying cause(s) and the development of the inclusion of activity programs customized to the resident’s interests and his or her abilities. Activities should focus on helping the resident fulfill his/her wishes, use cognitive skills and provide enjoyment as well opportunities for socialization with others. Preferences for Customary Routine and Activities (Section F) A section with significant revisions is the “Preferences for Customary Routine and Activities”. The customary routine staff assessment is replaced by the MDS 3.0 Preference Assessment Tool. Residents are to be interviewed for their activity interests and routine preferences. The RAI Version 3.0 Manual suggests various ways for the interviewer to phrase the questions, probe for clarification of residents’ responses and to utilize adaptive techniques such as cue cards, an interpreter, opportunity to write out answers, etc. The residents are to rate the level of importance by using the following codes: 1. Very important 2. Somewhat important 3. Not very important 4. Not important at all 5. Important, but can’t do or no choice (meaning the resident finds it important but feel he/she cannot do that at this time because of health or because of nursing home resources or scheduling. 9. No response or non-responsive (resident, family or significant other refuses to answer or doesn’t know, if the resident does not respond to the question, or provides a nonsensical response. A nonsensical response is defined as, “any unrelated, incomprehensible or incoherent response that is not informative with respect to the item being rated”. When coding the activity preferences interview, no look back is provided. The resident is to respond to their current preferences while in the facility. Family members and significant others may be the primary respondent to the interview questions if the resident is unable to do so. In this case, the family member or significant other may have to consider past preferences if they are unsure of current preferences and the resident is unable to communicate. There is a series of questions that relates to the resident’s preferences for daily routine such as bathing, bedtime, clothing, etc. The questions relating to activities include: • How important is it to you to have books, newspapers, and magazines to read? • How important is it to you to listen to music you like? • How important is it to you to be around animals such as pets? • How important is it to you to keep up with the news? • How important is it to you to do things with groups of people? • How important is it to you to do your favorite activities? • How important is it to you to go outside to get fresh air when the weather is good? • How important is it to you to participate in religious services or practices? For residents who cannot answer the questions and a family member or significant other is not available to answer on behalf of the resident, a staff assessment of activities and daily preferences is conducted. Staff is instructed to observe the resident’s response during activity programs. A variety of routine and activity preferences are listed and staff is to check off each item as it applies in the last 7 days. The items listed are as follows: A. Choosing clothes to wear B. Caring for personal belongings C. Receiving tub bath D. Receiving shower E. Receiving bed bath F. Receiving sponge bath G. Snacks between meals H. Staying up past 8:00 p.m. I. Family of significant other involvement in care discussions J. Use of phone in private K. Place to lock personal belongings L. Reading books, newspapers, or magazines M. Listening to music N. Being around animals such as pets O. Keeping up with the news P. Doing things with groups of people Q. Participating in favorite activities R. Spending time away from the nursing home S. Spending time outdoors T. Participating in religious activities or practices Z. None of the above In a sample of individuals that completed the revised Preferences for Customary Routine and Activities (Section F), findings indicated that: • 81% rated the interview items as more useful for care planning • 80% found that the interview changed their impression of resident’s wants • 1% felt that some residents who responded didn’t really understand the items • More likely to report that post-acute residents appreciated being asked Special Treatments and Therapies (Section O) The RAI Version 3.0 Manual states that recreational therapy is not a skilled service according to the Social Security Act however, for purposes of the MDS, providers should record services for recreational therapy when the conditions for the provision of recreation therapy are as follows: • The physician orders recreation therapy that provides therapeutic stimulation beyond the general activity program; • The physicians order must include a statement of frequency, duration and scope of treatment; • The services must be directly and specifically related to an active written treatment plan that is based on an initial evaluation performed by a therapeutic recreation specialist; • The services are required and provided by a state licensed or nationally certified therapeutic recreation specialist or therapeutic recreation assistant who is under the direct supervision of a therapeutic recreation specialist; and • The services must be reasonable and necessary for the resident’s condition. The assessor records the number of days and the minutes that recreation therapy was administered over the 7 day look back period. Sessions must be at least 15 minutes in length. The RAI Version 3.0 Manual states that therapy logs are not a MDS requirement but is standard of good clinical practice by all therapy professionals. It’s also important to note that when two clinicians work together, which may be common with a recreational therapist and an occupational therapist, the clinicians must split the time between the two disciplines. Music Therapy is included under Recreational Therapy as well. Recommendations • Visit the CMS website regularly using the link I provided above. • Download and print the items that are available on the CMS website and put it in a binder. • Read the RAI User Manual and review all MDS 3.0 materials. • Write down your questions as you read the manual. Have these questions available during formal training sessions. • Please share what you have learned with others. You can email me and I will post news and information at http://www.recreativeresources.com/MDS3.0.htm as I receive it. I will also address MDS 3.0 issues on my Facebook group page at www.tiny.cc/ReCreativeResourcesonFacebook Kim Grandal ACC/EDU, is the Executive Director of Re-Creative Resources, Inc (www.recreativeresources.com), and serves as a government relations liason to NCCAP. Kim has given her permission for NCCAP to post this article and we thank her.

NCCAP goes green

2010/02/14

As you know, NCCAP has started making the newsletter available online, and it has for some time now archived the previous newsletters on the website as well. The Winter issue has been posted for a while now, but NCCAP is wanting to make certain that we have a current email address for every individual in order to start emailing you the newsletter and other inportant information on a monthly basis or as needed. In addition to the renewal form as a place to edit the email addresses that are currently on file, please remember to contact the NCCAP as soon as you have any new contact information to assist in keeping the data base of certified individuals current as well as to make certain that you don't miss out on any important news. NCCAP has just mailed those individuals that do not have any email address listed at this time. Once you get that letter, please do follow through and email us with the email address that you wish for us to send the electronic communications to, and feel free to send that to us prior to receipt of that letter if you are aware of any changes to your contact information. Thank you for helping us communicate more quickly, keep our costs down and to preserve the environment with less mass mailings. Also be sure to join the NCCAP facebook, go to the www.facebook.com, then to the OFFICIAL NCCAP page. NCCAP Thanks BryanRife@yahoo.com for assisting NCCAP with the facebook page, and to Heide Cornell, past board member for her prior assistance.

NCCAP is seeking assistance from previous MEPAP instructors

2010/08/30

As every NCCAP pre-approved instructor is aware of; the education committee in the re-engineering process chose several books to utilize during the MEPAP 2nd Edition training to supplement the standardized MEPAP curriculum. Unfortunately 4 of the management books have recently gone out of print. Anyone who is NO LONGER teaching the MEPAP courses, but that has their books they would be willing to sell back to NCCAP, please notify Cindy in an email (nccapexec111@aol.com) as time allows, so that we may be able to provide the new instructors with all the text/materials to continue to facilitate the consistent, concise and credible instructor training from Natalie Davis, MA, ACC and others. The books we are in need of are your new or gently used copies of the HITT management books; Ethics in Leadership Management in Action Conflict Management The Leader-Manager

NCCAP issues a "CALL to ACTION" to the country.....

2010/09/02

Call to Action Meeting Raleigh/Durham, NC November 13, 2010 This "Call to Action" meeting is sponsored by NCCAP (National Certification Council for Activity Professionals) in collaboration with COAP-National (Coalition of Activity Professionals). We are concerned about the future of the activities profession and the activities professional of all levels. We are inviting you to attend and help shape a brighter future for those who serve the elderly population. We represent activity professionals who provide quality activity services to hundreds of thousands of people living and receiving long-term care. Activity professionals have a special skill set that is appreciated by those that they serve. It is now time to recognize a profession that has supported the quality of life in facilities across the nation and the world. Topics for Collaboration • Where we are as an industry • Where we are as a profession • The initial intent of the “Universal Worker” • The need to assure continued recognition as a profession in light of the MDS 3.0 • Assess where we are for state and national regulatory compliance • The future of the Activities Profession and the Recreation/Activities Professional • What NCCAP needs to do toward the future • Collaboration of other associations as well as NCCAP of where we should be as an industry • Strategic planning of NCCAP, National Associations, State Associations and others for the future of the Activities Profession Location – Holiday Inn RDU 930 Airport Blvd Morrisville, NC 27560 919.465.1910 or 540.656.3796STAY YOU (rooms are 69.00+ tax, free shuttle from RDU airport, lunch meal provided by NCCAP) 4 CE’s/CEU’s available FREE and Open to ANY/ALL activity/recreation professionals concerned about the future of the profession - PLEASE see the official NCCAP facebook page for a copy of the registration form, so we can track the number of people planning to attend/meal count. This Call to Action is OPEN to ANYONE wishing to discuss and brainstorm the above issues, for the betterment of the profession! SPACE is limited so be sure to register ASAP.

NCCAP open letter to the certified members

2010/09/01

As posted on the official nccap face book, submitted by NCCAP President, Michael Bower, ACC the following; Over the past twelve years the National Certification Council for Activity Professionals (NCCAP) has been the target of attacks by individual members of a national activity professional association. The NCCAP Board of Directors has always chosen to reply directly to the perpetrators, believing that the profession was better served by settling such disagreements in private. Unfortunately, this belief is not mutual. In light of the recently published article by an outside third party questioning NCCAP’s decision making, the time has come for the NCCAP Board of Directors to address an open letter to the NCCAP membership. This is not a step that the NCCAP Board of Directors wishes to take, but we feel that the membership is entitled to know the truth. As I have been on the board for several years, from 1998 – 2005 and 2008 – 2011, I feel that I can bring some perspective to the issues. While I am the author of this letter, I have elicited and received input from board members, and this letter is the product of the NCCAP Board. Soon after the NAAP was founded, it formed a committee charged with the development of an activity certification process. By 1986 the NAAP Board of Trustees had followed legal advice and helped to form the National Certification Council for Activity Professionals as a separate organization. Since November 1986, NCCAP has had separate incorporation and its own mission, by-laws, code of ethics, board of directors, finances, and executive director. In other words, it has been an entirely independent organization. Soon after NAAP and NCCAP began to jointly develop a training curriculum, the Modular Education Program for Activity Professionals (MEPAP), which is commonly known as the Basic Education Course and the Advanced Education Course. The costs of the development of the course, over $40,000, were underwritten by NCCAP, however the MEPAP Train the Trainer courses, including the income from that training, was administered by NAAP, and NCCAP was never reimbursed. While the first MEPAP was an excellent start, it wasn’t long before the need for corrections and updates became apparent. NCCAP approached NAAP several times about re-engineering the course, but NAAP delayed starting the project. At the Joint NAAP/NCCAP Board meeting at the 2000 NAAP Conference in Colorado, the NCCAP Board of Directors offered to take over the re-engineering process, at our expense. We agreed to completely re-engineer the course and take responsibility for training the instructors. We also agreed to share the profit from the trainings once the costs of the development of the original MEPAP and the costs of the re-engineering project were recovered. The NAAP Board of Trustees agreed to this arrangement at that meeting and NCCAP moved forward. As NCCAP has placed quality and affordability as our primary goals to the instructor training, to date we have not come anywhere near to recovering those development costs, which totaled well over $60,000. When the MEPAP 2nd Edition was ready to be presented, current instructors were, and still are, offered a one day refresher courses in the new material. New instructors are required to take the two-day training. As NCCAP was assuming the MEPAP training we discovered that the original MEPAP curriculum was being taught by several instructors that neither met the requirements to be an instructor and/or had not taken the MEPAP Train the Trainer classes. The only way to bring the instructors into compliance and to re-establish the standard was to institute instructor pre-approval; this was the driving force behind the decision, not income. The pre-approval was phased in with enough time for qualified instructors to take the training. Once the requirement was phased in, courses that had been taught by non-approved instructors were no longer accepted for certification, although the hours could be used for continuing education. As always, those individuals who were already certified/pre-approved were not affected by the new requirements. The MEPAP 2nd Edition is taught by independent consultants and trainers. They set their own fees, timelines, and locations. Some of those instructors are also on the Boards of Directors or Trustees, or are paid employees, of various state and national activity organizations and associations. Every individual who applies for pre-approval as a MEPAP instructor or for any pre-approval must, regardless of their other affiliations, meet the standards and follow the process for pre-approval. NCCAP does not make exceptions, although we will try diligently to help applicants understand and follow the process. It is up to each organization or association to monitor their board members and staff as to the conduct of their private businesses and their fulfillment of their positions with the organization. In the case of NCCAP, all private business is conducted during off time, including vacation time. Any classes that are taught for NCCAP, such as the Train the Trainer classes and Certification workshops at conferences, are done as representatives of NCCAP for no personal gain. While it is true that several NCCAP board members, as well as the executive director, are MEPAP instructors, each has met the pre-approval requirements and conducts their classes within the requirements set forth by NCCAP. Indeed, because they are instructors, these professionals bring practical perspectives and personal knowledge of program delivery and are considered an asset. Because of the small size of the NCCAP Board of Directors and the central office staff, it has been difficult to monitor the conduct of all instructors who teach the MEPAP across the country. In the past we have relied on complaints from the students to indicate problems with an instructor, and we have monitored some instructor’s classes. As the last component of the MEPAP Re-engineering project, NCCAP will be instituting a national exam. We have been told several times by both CMS and various national health organizations that, if NCCAP Certification to be respected, we must, like all credible professions, have a national competency test. In addition, this test will provide NCCAP with a way to monitor the quality of each instructor’s classes; i.e. an instructor who consistently has a high percentage of students who cannot pass the national exam can be identified as an instructor that needs further training and assistance. The national test consists of a bank of 1800 questions taken from the MEPAP 2nd Edition, 100 of which will be randomly chosen by computer for each test. The test will be administered by an independent testing company, not by NCCAP. While we had hoped to have the test requirement go into effect on January 1, 2011, the project has required more time for testing and implementation. This is too important a step to enter into without adequate planning and testing, and NCCAP is determined that the implementation will be smooth and that the test will have reliability and validity. There will be a fee for the testing; that fee will be used to offset the costs of developing the test and to pay for the services of the testing company. NCCAP maintains an open website. Annual reports, including financial reports, can be found in the NCCAP newsletters; several years worth of newsletters are archived on the website. NCCAP does not restrict who can access the website, newsletters, forms, standards, chat rooms, bulletin board, or reports. Since the inception of NCCAP, on the excellent advice of our founders, we have kept a healthy reserve in an investment account. The actual amount in the account fluctuates with the fortunes of the stock market. While we did see the investments take a hit in the recent financial downturn, because of the wise investments that were originally made, we weathered the crisis well and have begun to see the investment fund grow once more. It is essential that we maintain this financial cushion as a hedge against major capital needs or legal actions. It is standard for all well-run, healthy, not-for-profit organizations to maintain a good reserve fund. In addition, we have a couple of CDs that also have reserve money, but are more readily available in case of emergencies. The interest from all accounts is listed in the financial reports. These monies have been utilized to assist with the cost for individuals to complete their MEPAP requirements and other such certified member benefits. Since 2000 NCCAP has had the excellent services of Cindy Bradshaw as its Executive Director. Cindy is highly regarded by federal and state agencies, as well as national and state health and activity organizations. She is dedicated to the mission and goals of NCCAP and has represented us well in all settings. With a current board of directors that lives in Washington State, New York, New Jersey, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and, until recently, Kansas, Cindy has done an outstanding job of communicating the ongoing business of NCCAP, issues, challenges, and needs, and in asking for decisions and direction from the board. Although the board usually meets in person once a year, its members stay in contact with the central office and each other by e-mail and telephone on an almost daily basis. Cindy keeps the board fully informed about her schedule and any potential conflicts; she is highly ethical and every inch a professional, and the Board places a great deal of trust in her ability to do the business of NCCAP. Cindy travels for both NCCAP and for her own business, and, although she uses vacation time for her own presentations, she often manages to do a presentation on NCCAP and Certification on her own time. Cindy Bradshaw has earned, and receives, the full support of the NCCAP Board of Directors. The NCCAP Board of Directors consists of six members, with two positions becoming open every two years. Applicants for nomination to board positions are sought by the Nominations Board Member and his or her committee, independent of the Executive Director and the other board members. The only input from the Executive Director is to check whether or not the candidate is certified and, if asked to, to provide lists of the current certified members throughout the country. The Nominations chair presents the slate of potential candidates to the board and it is approved as a formality, as long as the candidates meet the board position criteria, per the by-laws. The Nominations Committee makes every effort to have several candidates for the two available positions, thus giving the membership a true choice. The candidates write their own position statements and the ballots are sent out to the membership to be voted on. The votes are counted by independent counters, and the Nomination Chair makes the results known to the candidates, the Executive Director and the Board of Directors. Members are elected to the board of directors, not to position. The board members decide which member will fulfill which position on the board, depending on the talents and skills each member brings. This is done at the Board of Directors meeting prior to the annual membership meeting. The Executive Director does not have a voice or a vote in the decisions and frequently is not present when the board chooses positions. It is the mission of NCCAP to provide Activity Professionals with portable credentials that allow them to qualify for employment in providing activities to elders in all settings. To that end we listen to activity professionals, employers, and governmental bodies in how best to meet the profession’s needs. Over the years NCCAP certification standards have been revised several times, each time in response to those needs, with the national test being the latest in those changes. NCCAP certification remains the least expensive of the credible national certifications, and yet, NCCAP is the only organization that reviews all renewals, not just the new certifications. Because we accept academic training from a wide range of disciplines, the MEPAP is required for all ADC and ACC levels to ensure that the certified person has the basic knowledge to provide activity services to the elder population. For example, a doctorate degree in psychology is fine, but it does not give the holder the basic knowledge that is needed to be an activity professional; that would be like saying that a lawyer can perform surgery. When NCCAP did a trial of allowing people with college degrees to test out of taking the MEPAP, not one of them passed the test with a score of 75% or above. Since the inception of the MEPAP, NCCAP has recognized that ongoing training for instructors and consultants was needed, beyond the basic train the trainer course. Soon after the BEC and AMC were offered, a pre-conference training for instructors was offered at a national conference but in spite of its popularity and requests for repeated sessions, the training was not offered again. For over 10 years NCCAP offered to underwrite an Educator’s track at the national conference, but the offer was consistently declined. Meanwhile, our certified consultants and pre-approved MEPAP instructors were asking NCCAP to provide the training. Finally in 2009 NCCAP answered the demands of the membership and held the first Educator’s Symposium. While open to all Activity Professionals, the educational offerings focus on providing the educator with the tools needed to teach the MEPAP, continuing education, workshops, in-services, and adult learners. The symposium is structured to give the educators exposure to products that assist in training and to honor those who have served the Activity Profession and Certification well. Again, the focus of the symposium is not to raise money, but to provide educators with the tools they need to remain current and effective, while remaining affordable. We have heard the voice of the NCCAP membership; the evaluations from both symposiums make it clear that we are, indeed, meeting their needs. Now that the annual meeting is being held in conjunction with the Symposium, we have a higher attendance of NCCAP certified members. In the past, most annual meetings averaged 20 – 30 people in attendance; at the symposium we have 100 – 110 members present. To make the meeting accessible to the entire NCCAP membership, this year’s meeting was recorded and is available on U-Tube and is posted on the Official NCCAP Facebook page. It must to be noted that NCCAP has never held issue or by-law votes at the annual membership meeting; all membership votes are done by mail and are sent to every NCCAP member, providing all members with an equal opportunity to be involved with the governance of NCCAP. While it appears from the previously mentioned article “critical” of NCCAP that the other organization is more interested in perceived competition and the potential impact to its bottom line (ironically, that very article alleges NCCAP is being financially driven), NCCAP must remain true to its mission of serving the profession, and those individuals the profession itself serves, in the best possible manner. We cannot favor any one activity association or organization over another, and we support all such organizations. Over the last few years we have determined that it is in the best interest of certification that we market more to health care associations. This expensive process is an investment in the future; we have to make NCCAP certification and the invaluable services our members perform known to and valued by administrators and industry leaders. We continue to work with state and national activity associations in advancing the profession and attend as many conferences as possible. I hope that this letter explains NCCAP’s position and actions. We have always worked for our certified members, and for those who wish to become certified. We strive to set high standards and raise the awareness of the Activity Profession. Activities is a young profession and, while there are bound to be growing pains, NCCAP has always chosen to take the high road. We sincerely hope that any of you who have questions will contact NCCAP directly via the bulletin board and e-mail, or in writing. We take all questions and respond to all complaints. In the case of complaints, we try to see if they are individual problems or widespread. Many of you have received questionnaires from NCCAP about NCCAP operations and we have used the information received to improve our services. Those questionnaires were initiated by concerns expressed by members, and we thank them for the opportunity for improvement that they have provided. Professionally Yours, Michael A. Bower, BA, ACC President, NCCAP

NCCAP Specializations available to certified individuals, see details...

2010/01/10

NCCAP Board of Directors approves Education committee recommendations related to offering “Specializations” to the certified members credentials. Effective January 1, 2009, NCCAP certified individuals can apply to have a specialization designation by adding 10 hours of continuing education specific to that specialization. As follows; ADC for example - A Specialization in Assisted Living would be ADC/ALF A Specialization in Memory Care would be ADC/MC A Specialization in Adult Day Programs would be ADC/AD A Specialization in Educating would be ADC/EDU AAC would be AAC/ALF, AAC/MC, AAC/AD, etc ACC would be ACC/ALF, etc For each desired designation, the individual must submit evidence showing 10 CE’s from the specialization Body of Knowledge topic areas which have been updated for each category and are listed on the www.nccap.org site. If an individual will be requesting the specialization at the same time as their renewal, they would submit the required (30 CE’s) and fee for their renewal PLUS the additional 10 CE’s and fee PER each specialization they are requesting. If a person will only be requesting the specialization not in conjunction with their renewal they would simply send the 10 CE’s and fee for each specialization they are requesting. Verification that the CE’s come from the designated specialization track is the responsibility of the applicant. Initial specializations can go back 5 years for their CE’s, and renewal specializations can go back 2 years, in keeping with the NCCAP standards. As the industry evolves, so must our association to keep current. The demand for specializations in the varied areas is high, and NCCAP is setting the standards coinciding with the national average of educational hours in each area. NCCAP has designated four individuals with expertise in the respective areas to serve as Liasons for their specialization as follows; Christopher Bobos BS, ACC (Adult Day Program), Bonnie Ruggles-Rueschel BS, ACC (Assisted Living), Mark Laker, MS, ACC (Memory Care), and Natalie Davis MS, ACC (Educators). NCCAP offers a HUGE thank you to those committee members that have worked so diligently on assisting NCCAP with this for the past two years on the NCCAP education Committee; The NCCAP Education Committee (*) met during the NCCAP annual meeting of the certified members held in Orlando, FL May 1, 2008, to review the success of the MEPAP 2nd Edition, and to discuss the "testing" component of credentialing as well as to define what constitutes "specialty" tracks for NCCAP certification. ***There were 71 individuals in all in attendance at the annual meeting. Any other NCCAP pre-approved instructors that wish to serve on this committee, as always simply send an email indicating your interest in serving NCCAP in this manner. The NCCAP By-Laws, by member vote 2/2009, have been approved to be revised to include the Specializations under Article III, Section 1. Classes of Certified Activity Professionals. Member comments - "Thank you for your quick response to my inquiry. I will send the proper documentation for this specialization track as well as the fee. Thank you again; I appreciate as an Activities Professional, that the NCCAP organization continues recognize continuing education as an intricate and notable resource." "Thank you for allowing me to realize my dream of being recognized not only as a professional, but as a certified professional with specific knowledge in a specified area(s)" ________________________________________________ Instructions for completing the Specialization application - If you are currently certified and applying for a specialization to be added on to your current credential, proceed as follows; 1. Complete the FRONT cover of the NCCAP application; - fill in your personal information - under “reason for application” CHECK the box that states “specialization” AND check which specialty area you are applying for (i.e. __ALF ___MC ___AD ___EDU) - be sure to check ALL that apply if you are applying for more than one 2. Then complete PAGE 4 of the application, Continuing Education. - Check which specialization in the space indicated - List the 10 CE’s that meets the allowed Body of Knowledge topic areas for THAT specialization. SUBMIT – A. the front cover of the application B. the continuing education (page 4) C. the proof of the CE’s (copies) D. the appropriate fee (which is $25.00 PER each specialty you are applying for at that time) (FOR initial Specialization application, per NCCAP Standards, you may go back 5 years for the CE’s that fit into the Body of Knowledge topic areas – SEE complete list on the NCCAP website for EACH specialization). Adding this Specialization will NOT change your certification expiration, so you MAY wish to wait until your renewal IF you are close to your renewal date, to avoid having to submit additional CE’s in such a short time frame. IF you are submitting the level change at the same time as your certification renewal, you will need the following; 1. The above information plus, 2. Your renewal application listing the CE’s 3. The required CE’s for your renewal (20 AAC,30 ADPC/ADC or 40 ACC) (copies) 4. The renewal fee of $50.00 *new rate as of 1/1/2009 RENEWALS of the specialty will be every two years when your AAC, ADPC/ADC, or ACC credential is due for renewal. At which time you will send the required CE’s for your level, plus the 10 additional CE’s for each specialization, the regular 50.00 renewal fee and the 10.00 renewal fee for each specialization – these instructions will be on your renewal form.

NCCAP to implement a National exam for all initial ADC and ACC applicants effective 1/1/2012

2010/07/29

The NCCAP Education committee met at the NCCAP symposium in June 2010, and has revised the time line for implementation of the mandatory national exam as follows; In keeping with the NCCAP strategic plan and in completing the final step of the eight year MEPAP reengineering project, NCCAP will be implementing an exam that all NEW applicants must complete in order to apply for national certification at the ADC or ACC level(s) effective January 1, 2012. All other national credentialing bodies require individuals to complete an exam to ensure the competency levels all meet the established standard of the association; this will also apply to NCCAP certification, and will show CMS that all individuals that apply for NCCAP certification have the same core knowledge as with all other disciplines. Be watching the NCCAP announcement page and future electronic newsletters for more details as the implementation dates draws closer. PLEASE NOTE***THIS WILL NOT effect those individuals already nationally certified at any level with NCCAP before December 31, 2011. The committee is finalizing the exam questions, and would like VOLUNTEER instructors to be willing to test the exam out on their MEPAP students, to assist in the exam development, process and ensure that the required areas of the MEPAP content are being covered sufficiently to ensure student success in completion of the exam. Study guides are also being developed, along with sample exams. 2011 - will serve as a pilot year for the exam. ANY MEPAP instructors willing to participate in this pilot please email me at NCCAPExec111@aol.com. We thank the following instructors who have already volunteered their students; Natalie Davis, ACC - TX Cindy Bradshaw, ACC - VA Julie Reginek, ACC - MN Pam Bailey, ACC - MA Bobbi Moran, ACC - MA Nancy Richards, ACC - PA Jane Martin, ACC - ND Debbie Hommel, ACC - NJ Barbara Hearne, ACC - NC Jan Cockrell, ACC - IN Sandra Goldring, ACC - MD Tia Hovatter, ACC - WV Tammy Point, ACC - OH Roz O'Neil, ACC - AZ Danielle Griffith, ACC - PA Jeff Brown, ACC - TX Gail Snyder, ACC - MD Sandy Dole, ACC - DE Stephanie Courtney, ACC - MD Lisa Reidinger, ACC - NJ April Keehan, ACC - VA Linda Redhead, ACC - NY Gail Bowers, ACC - TX Debra Whybra, ACC - MI Cathie Coleman, ACC - MI Diane Zide, ACC - MI Shirley Peotter, ACC - AZ John Collins, ACC - FL NCCAP appreciates the overwhelming response from the instructors to assist in the exam draft/pilot year 2011; as well as the support of the following who also offered their assistance; Guylaine Mazure, ACC - NJ Sharon Wolfe, ADC - NJ Patricia Moellmer, ADC - CO Sandra Stimpson, Alternative Solutions in LTC Thank you to Vicki Surash, MA, ACC for all her assistance in formulating the exam, along with all the educators, and education committee members for their input.

State Association Questionnaire Summary

2010/07/07

Along with the Individual Certified quality surveys, NCCAP also conducted a state association survey. NCCAP has current state representatives in all but 10 states; Surveys were sent to the 40 state reps, with 26 of the surveys being returned to NCCAP. The survey identified, what NCCAP had identified prior, that the state representative system could use a revision. The questions included: How would you rate the efforts of your state rep? 10 said excellent, 4 good, 4, fair, 1 poor. Have you access the NCCAP promotional materials for your state association conferences/workshops? 12 said yes, 11 no, all 12 found the process easy to utilize. The 11 that said no, stated they would be interested in utilizing the promotional materials in the future. **NCCAP mails the display booth to you, along with current promotional materials, give aways, newsletters etc for you to use at your conference, then your state association pays the cost to return the display to NCCAP. ***Also several years ago, NCCAP developed a table top display for the reps, which was easier to transport, and made a nice table top display at the conferences/workshops. PLEASE remember to keep these current by filling the pages of the display with the most recent materials off the NCCAP.org site. ALL of NCCAP's materials are available for downloading. When applying for a pre-approval, did you find the process easy to understand? 15 yes, 1 no When applying was it reviewed in a timely fashion? 14 said yes. (NCCAP suggests the 90 days prior like the NAB or IACET standards, to ensure time to be reviewed, communication and mail time) Of the 14, only 1 sent within the 90 days, 11 sent with 30 days or less before their event. When your membership contacted the NCCAP office how timely was the response? 5 that day, 13 within a few days, 3 within a week, 1 said the next day, 1 said "it was longer" When you or one of your association members contacts the NCCAP office is the info received helpful? 17 stated yes, 1 said "sometimes" Have you or your membership been able to access NCCAP materials? 20 said yes, 1 said no, 1 said "don't know" Is your membership aware of the specializations? 15 said yes, 7 said no. How did you find out about who the state representative was? 6 from NCCAP, 11 from the reps themselves, 1 didn't know they had a representative. NCCAP invited the state reps to a pizza dinner/networking gathering at the NCCAP symposium in June 2010 and it was attended by 20 plus states. It was decided by the reps present; that the state reps would utilize the NCCAP materials more, and also they would make sure that NCCAP certification was addressed at their conferences, and that they might even gear their topics around the specializations available. That NCCAP would enjoy receiving the newsletters from each state association, that the states would give NCCAP their state association links to post on the NCCAP website, and that the state reps could have an annual list of the certified members to contact them and gather national support in their state, especially when meeting with their healthcare associations, and congressman etc to stress the importance of hiring certified individuals. Debbie Hommel, ACC, NCCAP Secretary is heading up the state reps committee email her at debbiehommel@comcast.net *NCCAP appreciates the input from the states, and the continuous quality improvement processes implemented to ensure the best quality association possible.

State Associations supporting their profession and their national credentials

2010/07/14

Many states offer a session(s) each year to the participants of their activity conferences on the NCCAP certification, the process, the specializations and all that the national credential has to offer and that the association is doing on behalf of the certified and future NCCAP certified individuals in our profession. NCCAP would like to highlight your state!!! If your state association will be having a NCCAP certification session at the conference please email us at info@nccap.org and let us know the details, in addition to featuring your association here on the announcment page, we will also be happy to add you to the NCCAP calendar! KADA - The Kansas Activity Directors Association has for a number of years invited NCCAP to attend and speak at their conference on the benefits of the credential. This year the KADA conference will be September 26-28, 2010, contact NCCAP state Rep Laurie Kloepper, ADC at kloepperlaurie@dooleycenter.com for more details. FHCACA - The Florida Health Care Activity Coordinators Association - frequently offers a session on NCCAP certification, and at their 2009 conference they even offered a session specifically on how to apply for your Specialization. Their 2010 conference will be in orlando August 1 - 4, 2010 contact the FL state Rep Chris Bobos for more info at cbobos@ccadm.org COAP-NC - Has offered an NCCAP certification session, with a hands on approach encouraging participants to bring their applications to the session to be reviewed on the spot. Their fall workshop will be August 20-21, 2010 at exit 145 off I-85 in Burlington, NC. For more info on COAP-NC contact Kathy Wright Moore, ACC at wrightmoore@aol.com PAPA - The Pennsylvania Activity Professionals Association, holds an annual conference, this year will be at Penn State, September 26-29, 2010. Every year they invite NCCAP to speak on certification. For more info contact Linda at BibleAct@aol.com. TR Summit - Thanks to Jackie Vaughan, CTRS and others for their generosity in allowing me to share NCCAP, and brainstorm with them on how we can move this profession forward with TR's and NCCAP certified activity professionals working together...they plan to attend the Call to Action - we hope other states/associations will as well. Many many more have done this at their past conferences to include, NJAPA,(May and October) IADA,(October) ADAM,(Sept) the MO Activity Professionals Association, MASSCap,(October) VAAP,(March) etc etc etc LET's Hear From YOU - what are you doing to further YOUR professional CREDENTIAL in your state???? Email us at info@nccap.org and tell us today! Also be sure to share with us the link to your association so we can add it to the website which gets over 30,000 hits a month from people just like us!!! Thanks for making YOUR national certifying body (NCCAP) so strong, and being SO supportive - GO TEAM!!!