Introducing The Florida Adult Day Care Association
Since its inception in 1983, the Florida Adult Day Care Association (FADCA) has provided leadership, education, planning and development of adult day services across Florida. Through the promotion of quality day services ranging from respite programs to adult day health centers, FADCA has established a reputation as a leader in education, training and advocacy within the long-term care industry.
Annual Membership Drive
FADCA is pleased to announce the kick off of our annual membership drive. Have we got a deal for you! This year, for one price, you can have both a membership with FADCA and a membership with the National Day Services Association (NADSA). We are able to offer this tremendous opportunity through NADSA's State Association Partnership Program. Take a moment to review the membership brochure to learn about all of the benefits you will receive from this membership package which includes a subscription to the magazine "Future Age". Membership in both the state and national organizations will increase your availabilty to timely information, education and advocacy efforts affecting the Adult Day Services industry. Remember, as per the by-laws: "Dues shall be assessed at the beginning of the fiscal year of the Association, January 1. Members joining for the first time after July 1, shall pay one-half the full fee. After this, the fee each year shall be paid in full."
Registration is now easier! Register On-line! Pay by Credit Card!
Schedule of FADCA events at Ambassador's For Aging Days
Tuesday, March 10, 2009 FADCA General Membership Meeting (6:30 pm - 7:30 pm) FADCA Board of Directors Meeting (7:30 pm - 8:30 pm) Both meetings to be held at : Tallahassee Memorial Adult Day Care 2039 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, FL 32303 Phone: (850) 531-0712
Wednesday, March 11, 2009 "Ambassadors for Aging Day 2009" Florida state Capitol Building Tallahassee, Florida 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
In addition to the above listed events,our lobbyist will try to set up meetings with key legislators for us to advocate for Adult Day sSrvices.
Your participation is important! Plan to help out at the FADCA booth, set up a booth showcasing your services, bring a group of seniors and/or their caregivers to help them learn more about services available to them, make an appoint with legislators from your district to tell them about the importance of Adult Day Services!
Contact FADCA President Ron Radcliffe if you would like to help out at the FADCA booth or be part of a delegation that will visit with legislators.
E-mail: rradcliffe@alzcare.org
Advocacy
Legislative Updates Provided by our Lobbyist, Bob Asztalos
The Governor released his budget and it does not contain major cuts to healthcare or providers. In fact it increases money for the Medicaid program and Medicaid physicians and dentists. Aggregate amounts for select Agencies listed in below chart. I also pasted in select health care parts of the Governors explanation of his budget. We have already heard comments from key legislators that the Governor’s budget is unrealistic because it expands base funding.
AGENCY FOR HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION Governor's Recommendations 2009-10 $17,643,444,194 dollars, 1,685.50 posititions Current Year Budget 2008-09 $16,211,585,981 dollars, 1,685.50 positions Difference $1,431,858,213 dollars, 0.00 positions
AGENCY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES Governor's Recommendations 2009-10 $1,071,036,823 dollars, 3,405.00 positions Current Year Budget 2008-09 $1,056,975,554 dollars, 3,541.00 positions Difference $14,061,269 dollars, (136.00)positions
Reducing the number of uninsured Floridians by providing access to health care is a top priority for the Governor. Medicaid is an income based, means-tested program, designed to provide health care services to low-income families with children, pregnant women, the elderly and disabled. Currently, there are 2.3 million people statewide receiving health care services through the Medicaid program. It is estimated that a total of 2.58 million individuals, including children, will be receiving health care services through the Medicaid program by June 30, 2010. The Governor is recommending an additional $965 million, to cover the costs associated with increased enrollment and utilization of health care services.
Low reimbursement rates are often cited as a primary reason for limited access to specialty health care for low-income families. In an effort to encourage participation by specialty providers in the Medicaid program and provide greater access to services, the Governor is recommending $34.8 million to increase physician fees for dermatologists, neurosurgeons, and orthopedic surgeons who serve Medicaid beneficiaries.
In addition, to improve access to oral health services for children and adults enrolled in Medicaid and encourage increased dentist participation, Governor Crist is recommending $16.1 million to increase fees for children and adult dental services provided by Medicaid participating dentists. Prepaid health plans which emphasize preventive health care through effective quality and cost controls also play an important role in the provision of health services to Medicaid beneficiaries. To further improve access to health care, the Governor is recommending $91 million to increase funding for prepaid health plans that serve Medicaid beneficiaries. Enabling increased access to health care services will improve the overall health and well-being of Medicaid enrollees who may not otherwise receive essential preventive and interventional care.
Health Care for Children
Providing more uninsured children with access to health care is a top priority for the Governor. KidCare is the state’s health insurance program for uninsured children under age 19. Currently there are 250,000 children receiving health care services through the KidCare program. It is estimated that a total of 342,000 children will be receiving health care services through the KidCare program by June 2010. The Governor is recommending an additional $52 million, to cover the costs associated with increased enrollment and utilization of health care services.
At the end of the 2008 Legislative Session, the Governor signed the Cover Florida legislation, which expanded coverage options for children, without requiring additional state funding. The legislation allows all Florida families to pay full premiums and “buy in” to the Florida KidCare program, expanding access from the previous 10 percent cap on enrollment of “full pay” families. This change requires no state funds and gives all Florida families the opportunity to provide affordable, comprehensive health insurance for their children.
Restore the Medically Needy Program
The Governor is recommending $470 million to restore 12 months of Medicaid health care coverage for 21,000 individuals who have extremely high medical bills in relation to their annual income.
Restore the Meds AD (Medicaid for the Aged and Disabled) Program
The Governor is recommending $294 million to restore 12 months of Medicaid health care coverage for 13,000 elderly and disabled individuals.
Continue Elder Related Waiver Services
The Governor's Recommended Budget continues care to an estimated 657,000 seniors currently receiving services through the Department of Elder Affairs. Florida is home to more than 4.1 million residents age 65 and older. This number is anticipated to reach more than 6.5 million by the year 2020, making the need for such services more critical than ever. The Department administers a wide range of programs to meet the needs of Florida's seniors including health, wellness, medical, prescription, recreational, respite, education, therapy, training, assessment, counseling, and transportation services.
Bob Asztalos
Check out the updates on the Advocay and Legislative Page. It is important to watch impending legislation and contact your legislators with your opinions on the issues. - Click on the Advocay Tab for information
Advocacy
The Florida Adult Day Care Association (FADCA)2009 Special Session Issue Paper
See FADCA's Advocacy at work! The Florida Adult Day Care Association (FADCA) opposes reductions in general revenue funding for the following programs:
Aged and Disabled Home and Community Based Medicaid Waiver Alzheimer’s Disease Medicaid Waiver Alzheimer’s Disease Initiative (ADI) Community Care for the Elderly (CCE) Local Services Program (LSP) Long Term Care Medicaid Diversion Programs
Please read the position paper and contact your legislator regarding the effect that reductions would have on the quality of life for your clients.
FADCA's Position Paper
Advocacy Alert - Federal Stimuus, Governor's Budget and Healthy Seniors Appropriations Committee Information
Please visit http://www.fcoa.org/advocacy.html to access recently updated the Advocacy information to include:
Federal Stimulus Breakdown Governor’s 2009-2010 Budget (Released 2/20/2009) House Healthy Seniors Appropriations Committee Meeting Podcast (MP3 format) from February 19, 2009 House Healthy Seniors Appropriations Committee Meeting Packet and Spreadsheet from February 19, 2009 Please visit http://www.fcoa.org/advocacy.html to access the above information http://www.fcoa.org/advocacy.html
Understanding the Legislative Budget Process
Read about the legislative budget process and how you can influence the process. Understanding the process helps to promote advocacy efforts.
Understanding the Legislative Budget Process
Minutes of the meetings of the Board of Director's and of the General Membership Meetings will be posted on the web. See the newest minutes. Click on the Minutes Tab to find them.
Minutes
Each conference call board meeting will be held on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 1:30pm. The telephone number to access these monthly conference calls is (218) 339-3600 and the access code is 627510#. Eveyone is welcome to listen in and participate in these calls.
In The News!
A GALA WITH “THE FRIENDS OF HOPE”, INC. JANUARY 10, 2009 OMNI JACKSONVILLE 245 WATER STREET JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA 32202
From the Left Cindy Dixon, Executive Director of Add to Life Adult Day Care, Sandy Catallo, Vice President of Friends of Hope Adult Day Care Corporation, Carol Neil, President of Friends of Hope Adult day Services, Corporation, Renee Harris, Executive Director of Harris House Adult Day Care.
"The Gala was a great success! Below is a note from Carol Neil regarding the event and a link to pictures."
Hello, Thank you to each of you, for your support with the Gala, Look at us, three Adult Day Care Owners and our Vice President with Secretary of the Department of Elder Affairs Doug Beach. It was truly a night to remember and could not have been possible without each of your help. Care-giving is so important and vital to our seniors and community as a nurse and business owner I know that it is a 24 hour job but when you have a heart of compassion for others it shows and I think we certainly got the message out that our seniors need adult day care centers so that they don’t have to be put away in a nursing home before their time. We had an attendance of 198, the Band was great and so was the food. Carol Jenkins Neil RN, MSN
