November 15, 2016

Congratulations to the 2016 Consumer Voice Leadership Award Winners

Award winners from left to right: Carmelita Karhoff, Karen Schoeneman, Mitzi McFatrich, Sarah Slocum, and Patty Ducayet (on behalf of NASOP)

We received several nominations of individuals devoted to improving long-term care services and supports. We appreciate the nominations that were submitted and are extremely grateful for the members of our Governing Board and Leadership Council that volunteered to serve on the Leadership Award Selection Committee to review the qualified nominees and select the award recipients.

The winners are:

Janet Tulloch Memorial Advocacy Award
Penny Shaw, Consumer Advocate

Howard Hinds Memorial Award
Carmelita Karhoff, Regional Ombudsman, Triangle J Area Agency on Aging, North Carolina Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program

Cernoria Johnson Memorial Advocacy Award
Sarah Slocum, Michigan State Long-Term Care Ombudsman

Janet Wells Public Policy Leadership Award
National Association for State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programs (NASOP)

Public Service Award
Karen Schoeneman, Owner, Karen Schoeneman Consulting

Elma Holder Founder’s Award
Mitzi McFatrich, Executive Director, Kansas Advocates for Better Care

Congratulations to all the winners!

Learn more about the award winners in the conference program book and on our website.

New Fact Sheet on Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program

Consumer Voice and the National Center on Elder Abuse created a helpful fact sheet providing an overview of the long-term care ombudsman program. This resource walks readers through what the long-term care ombudsman program is, what the Ombudsman program does and does not do, links to information on residents’ rights, and some helpful FAQs.

View the fact sheet here.

CMS Releases Advance Copy of Revisions to State Operations Manual Appendix PP

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released an advance copy of revisions to State Operations Manual (SOM), Appendix PP with revised regulations and tags. On September 28, 2016, CMS released revised Requirements for Participation for Medicare and Medicaid-certified nursing facilities. Most regulation groups were re-designated and have new numbers. In the advance copy of the revisions to SOM Appendix PP, CMS has incorporated revised regulation text into the SOM Appendix PP. The regulation text is effective November 28, 2016; the Interpretive Guidance has not been updated. Interpretive guidance will be revised at a later date. Also, the current F-Tags have been revised to include the requirements and regulation text as is presented in the final rule. Read the full brief from CMS.

Save the Date - #GivingTuesday is November 29th

This year, on Tuesday, November 29, 2016, Consumer Voice is participating in #GivingTuesday, a global day dedicated to giving. Last year, more than 45,000 organizations in 71 countries came together to celebrate #GivingTuesday. Since its founding in 2012, #GivingTuesday has inspired giving around the world, resulting in greater donations, volunteer hours, and activities that bring about real change in communities. We invite you to join the movement and to help get out and give this November 29. For information, visit givingtuesday.org.

Spotlight on Educational Resources

The Consumer Voice and the National Ombudsman Resource Center (NORC) have a multitude of resources available online covering a wide range of long-term care topics. Visit the Consumer Voice website and the NORC website to explore all the available resources. Take a look at this week's highlighted resource:

About Ombudsmen - NORC's page on long-term care ombudsmen provides information on ombudsman program history, what ombudsmen do, how to use ombudsmen services and more.

In this Issue

Congratulations to the 2016 Consumer Voice Leadership Award Winners

New Fact Sheet on Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program

CMS Releases Advance Copy of Revisions to State Operations Manual Appendix PP

Save the Date - #GivingTuesday is November 29th

Spotlight on Educational Resources

Combined Federal Campaign

#10552

Thank you for your support!

Calendar of Events

Tuesday, November 29: #GivingTuesday

November 8-11, 2017: Consumer Voice 41st Annual Conference, Arlington, VA

Join the conversation and follow us on social media!

Last Week's Most Popular Post:

Wednesday, November 9:
Advocates from Maryland and California dressed up for the roll-call at the beginning of the Consumer Voice Conference

Last Week's Most Popular Tweet:

Wednesday, November 9:
Already thinking about next year's conference? Save the date for the 2017 Consumer Voice Annual Conference - November 8-11 in Arlington, VA

Long-Term Care Resources & News

William Penn residents write to Trump, Clinton The Sentinel, November 2, 2016

Read past issues of The Voice here.

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About The Voice

The Voice is a weekly e-newsletter, published by the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care. If you do not wish to continue receiving this publication, please unsubscribe below. Your contributions and comments are welcome and should be sent to info@theconsumervoice.org. Copyright © 2016.

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Consumer Voice is the leading national voice representing consumers in issues related to long-term care, helping to ensure that consumers are empowered to advocate for themselves. We are a primary source of information and tools for consumers, families, caregivers, advocates and ombudsmen to help ensure quality care for the individual. Consumer Voice's mission is to represent consumers at the national level for quality long-term care, services and supports.

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