Agesim ARTICLE FOR YOU TO READ!
Click on the above link!
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
Friday, October 16, 2015
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
FYI
Just a little note for the new and veteran students--I have so many questions concerning sending assignments for each core content.
Please try to place all items into each self study document and save--please attach that saved document in an email and send to your instructor. Please do not scan or fax the self study, unless you are having computer problems. If you have signatures or items that cannot be placed in the self study document, please scan or fax those items. Any questions--just let me know. Thank you.
Have a great activity week and enjoy the fall weather.
Jane
Please try to place all items into each self study document and save--please attach that saved document in an email and send to your instructor. Please do not scan or fax the self study, unless you are having computer problems. If you have signatures or items that cannot be placed in the self study document, please scan or fax those items. Any questions--just let me know. Thank you.
Have a great activity week and enjoy the fall weather.
Jane
Thursday, October 8, 2015
Saturday, October 3, 2015
Thursday, October 1, 2015
ADVOCACY
Dear Activity Professional-------
It is time to be an advocate for our profession. Very seldom does an Activity Professional have the opportunity to say or write something about their own profession. Now is the time for you to advocate for our profession to elevate our profession. You can go to the following website and place your input into the Proposed Revisions to the Federal Nursing Home Regulations – these are available for comment.
Use the link below and be sure to place: please refer to file code CMS-3260-P. SEE BELOW FOR LETTER YOU MAY SEND TO CMS.
Date: (current date)
As an NCCAP Certified Activity Professional, I (Your name) would like to submit the following suggested revisions to the F249;
Quality of Care and Quality of Life (§483.25)
483.15(f)(2) The activities program must be directed by a qualified professional who--
(i) Is a qualified therapeutic recreation specialist or an activities professional who—
(ii) Has a minimum of a high school diploma/GED in addition to;
(A) Is licensed or registered, if applicable, by the State in which practicing; AND
(B) Is eligible for certification as a therapeutic recreation specialist or as an activities professional by a recognized accrediting body on or after October 1, 1990; OR
(c ) Is certified through the National Certification Council for Activity Professionals (NCCAP)
(iii) Has 2 years of experience in a social or recreational program within the last 5 years, 1 of which was full‑time in a patient activities program in a health care setting; or
(iv) Is a qualified occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant; or
(v) Has completed a training course approved by the State; or the Modular Education Program for Activity Professionals (MEPAP) course.
The National Certification Council for Activity Professionals (NCCAP), has been the standard for the activity profession for 30 years, with over 7,100 nationally certified individuals.
Much like other disciplines have adopted professional standards in 1986, NCCAP established a set of criteria that must be met in order for an individual to achieve their activity credential which includes; a) an academic component, b) an experiential component, and c) continuing education every two years to maintain the credential and d) the completion of the core content/foundation for activities in LTC, the Modular Education Program for Activity Professionals (MEPAP) course. Once an individual has met all the components, they must pass a National Exam to ensure competency and credibility to meet the meaningful quality of life programming, implementation and evaluation of activity programs.
The MEPAP is based on specific and measurable competencies and includes theory and classroom training as well as on site, practicum experience. The combination of theory and experience creates a more competent activity professional. The MEPAP course has been offered / available in all 50 states since 1991, (revised in 2004) and has been the standard for the profession in most states, with the regulatory wording in several states i.e. New Jersey, Colorado, TX and NC actually including/recognizing NCCAP (certification), MEPAP course as their state approved course.
As the forerunner and sole credentialing entity for “activity professionals” for 30 years, NCCAP feels it is imperative to maintain the credibility and high standards of the profession by specifically indicating and directing individuals to the accreditation that will best prepare them to work in person centered care settings.
Thank you in advance for your consideration of the above revisions.
Respectfully,
(Your name)
Please read the letter by Cindy Bradshaw, Ed of (NCCAP) National Certification Council for Activity Professionals.
She has hi lighted items that are pertinent to the our profession.
I am going to make sure my comments are sent by October 14, 2015. Email me if you should have any questions.
Jane Anderson, ND NCCAP Representative
Proposed Revisions to the Federal Nursing Home Regulations Now Published & Available for Comment
Date: September 1, 2015
R/T: NCCAP position on CMS Reform of Requirements for LTC Facilities Proposed Rule
NCCAP would like to submit the following suggested revisions to the F249;
Quality of Care and Quality of Life (§483.25)
483.15(f)(2) The activities program must be directed by a qualified professional who--
(i) Is a qualified therapeutic recreation specialist or an activities professional who—
(ii) Has a minimum of a high school diploma/GED in addition to;
(A) Is licensed or registered, if applicable, by the State in which practicing; AND
(B) Is eligible for certification as a therapeutic recreation specialist or as an activities professional by a recognized accrediting body on or after October 1, 1990; OR
(c ) Is certified through the National Certification Council for Activity Professionals (NCCAP)
(iii) Has 2 years of experience in a social or recreational program within the last 5 years, 1 of which was full‑time in a patient activities program in a health care setting; or
(iv) Is a qualified occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant; or
(v) Has completed a training course approved by the State; or the Modular Education Program for Activity Professionals (MEPAP) course.
The National Certification Council for Activity Professionals (NCCAP), has been the standard for the activity profession for 30 years, with over 7,100 nationally certified individuals.
Much like other disciplines have adopted professional standards in 1986, NCCAP established a set of criteria that must be met in order for an individual to achieve their activity credential which includes; a) an academic component, b) an experiential component, and c) continuing education every two years to maintain the credential and d) the completion of the core content/foundation for activities in LTC, the Modular Education Program for Activity Professionals (MEPAP) course. Once an individual has met all the components, they must pass a National Exam to ensure competency and credibility to meet the meaningful quality of life programming, implementation and evaluation of activity programs.
The MEPAP is based on specific and measurable competencies and includes theory and classroom training as well as on site, practicum experience. The combination of theory and experience creates a more competent activity professional. The MEPAP course has been offered / available in all 50 states since 1991, (revised in 2004) and has been the standard for the profession in most states, with the regulatory wording in several states i.e. New Jersey, Colorado, TX and NC actually including/recognizing NCCAP (certification), MEPAP course as their state approved course.
As the forerunner and sole credentialing entity for “activity professionals” for 30 years, NCCAP feels it is imperative to maintain the credibility and high standards of the profession by specifically indicating and directing individuals to the accreditation that will best prepare them to work in person centered care settings.
Thank you in advance for your consideration of the above revisions.
Respectfully,
Cindy Bradshaw MS, ACC
NCCAP Executive Director
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has published its proposed revisions to the current regulations for nursing homes participating in the Medicare and/or Medicaid programs. This proposed rule is available to view at the Federal Register website. Activity professionals, state/local activity associations along with other healthcare professionals, will be able to submit formal comments on the rule from now until September 14th, 2015 through the Federal Register site.
CMS first announced in 2012 that it would be revising the Requirements of Participation for nursing homes in the future. NCCAP and other agencies as well as other interested parties submitted recommendations to the agency on ways the current rules could be updated and strengthened.
NCCAP is still reviewing the proposed revisions to the Requirements of Participation and will be formulating an official statement in the upcoming weeks to submit to CMS.
Initial thoughts include:
~Have NCCAP named specifically rather than “recognized accrediting body”, as NCCAP has been the National accrediting body for activity professionals across the United States and now several other countries for the last 30 years.
~Requiring a High School diploma or GED
~Having the MEPAP course named specifically rather than “state approved course” as the MEPAP course has been the standard across the country and is available to all 50 states for the past 20+ years.
For your convenience – here is the section discussing the qualifications of the activity professional:
”We received stakeholder input on the requirements for the director of a facility activities program and considered, but did not modify the requirements for the director of the activities program. However, we are soliciting comments on the current requirements to determine if they remain appropriate and, if not, what the evidence is for changing the current requirements for this position and what stakeholders would recommend as minimum requirements for this position.”
The Requirements of Participation set critical standards for the quality of life and quality of care for nursing home residents. It is imperative that CMS receive feedback from NCCAP certified activity professionals like yourselves on the proposed revisions to ensure that any changes to the existing regulations would benefit and strengthen the profession. NCCAP will keep you abreast of any additional information and tools to help you advocate on this important matter!
ADDRESSES: In commenting, please refer to file code CMS-3260-P.
You may submit comments
1. Electronically.
~You may submit electronic comments on this regulation to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the "Submit a comment" instructions.
~You may submit electronic comments on this regulation to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the "Submit a comment" instructions.
2. By regular mail.
~You may mail written comments to the following address ONLY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services, Attention: CMS-3260-P, P.O. Box 8010, Baltimore, MD 21244. Please allow sufficient time for mailed comments to be received before the close of the comment period.
~You may mail written comments to the following address ONLY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services, Attention: CMS-3260-P, P.O. Box 8010, Baltimore, MD 21244. Please allow sufficient time for mailed comments to be received before the close of the comment period.
3. By express or overnight mail.
~You may send written comments to the following address ONLY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services, Attention: CMS-3260-P, Mail Stop C4-26-05, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850.
~You may send written comments to the following address ONLY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services, Attention: CMS-3260-P, Mail Stop C4-26-05, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850.
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