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May 19, 2022

Governor Evers, DHS Announce $6 Million Investment in WisCaregiver Careers

Governor Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) announced earlier this week announced a $6 million in WisCaregiver Careers, a workforce development program administered by WHCA and LeadingAge Wisconsin designed to address the CNA shortage in Wisconsin nursing homes by providing free training, free certification testing, and $500 caregiver bonuses.
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OnGo Rapid Antigen Test Kit Supply

DHS recently announced that they have expanded their supply of antigen tests to include OnGo rapid antigen tests. Please note that future orders placed for rapid antigen tests may be fulfilled with OnGo. You will be notified via email when your antigen order is filled with OnGo tests. Distribution is anticipated to start within the next week.
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‘Joyful Moments’ Revealed as Theme for National Assisted Living Week 2022: National Celebration to Take Place Sept. 11-17, 2022

The National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) this week revealed “Joyful Moments” as this year’s theme for National Assisted Living Week®. The annual, national observance – officially sponsored by First Quality in 2022 – provides a unique opportunity for residents, their loved ones, staff, volunteers, and local communities to celebrate the individuals who live and work in assisted living and learn more about this sector of long term care. ​​​​​
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Wisconsin Caregiver Project Training Survey: Responses Due May 27

The Wisconsin Caregiver Project was originally developed in 2006 by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), Division of Quality Assurance (DQA), in partnership with the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh (UWO), Center for Community Development, Engagement and Training (CCDET) to help prevent abuse and neglect by caregivers in long-term care settings. Since that time, DQA and UWO CCDET have continued to collaborate to develop hundreds of hours of curriculum and provide thousands of hours of training to support the development of caregivers, supervisors and managers across the state.
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Temporary/Emergency Nurse Aide Programs Scheduled to End - ACT NOW to Avoid Future Workforce Complications

On Thursday, April 7, CMS issued QSO-22-15-NH & NLTC & LSC - Update to COVID-19 Emergency Declaration Waivers for Specific Providers. The memo announced that CMS is ending some (not all) COVID-related 1135 waivers, including federal waivers which allowed for the creation of Emergency and Temporary Nurse Aide Training Programs here in Wisconsin. These employment and training flexibilities will end 60 days from the publication of QSO-22-15-NH & NLTC & LSC.
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Upcoming WiCAL Learning Session: Rebooting Your Infection Control Program

During the past two years, the pandemic has forced us to focus on the infection control measures surrounding the pandemic. As we move forward, the basics of a comprehensive Infection Control program may need to be rebooted. This program will review elements of a comprehensive Infection Prevention and Control program. Requirements for antibiotic stewardship will also be reviewed as well as methods to track medications prescribed to treat pathogens. Various tools & resources will be shared as well as at least one in electronic format.
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REMINDER: Oral Antiviral Medications Now Available for Residents With COVID-19 Symptom Onset

Wisconsin continues to receive allocations of the COVID-19 oral antivirals Paxlovid and Lagevrio (molnupiravir). Long-term care residents continue to be at risk of serious illness from COVID-19, it is strongly recommended that facilities connect them to one of these treatments authorized for use by the Food and Drug Administration. If prescribed and then taken within five days of symptom onset, these medications substantially decrease the likelihood of serious illness and death. In particular, in clinical trials, Paxlovid showed an 88% decrease in severe illness and death.
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