As far as the many many things ESAAL has done for the WCA Home, I’m not sure if there’s enough that can be said as to the help, guidance and support that The WCA Home had received since we became members in the late 70’s. Yes, I said the late 70’s. I’m not sure when ESAAL first formed but I found a plaque in our archives showing our membership in 1979.
As far as what I had found the most helpful is whenever I or my director of nursing had a question, Lisa Newcomb would find the answer and get right back to us.
Lisa would also clear up the muddy wording in many regulations, so that I could understand and work forward to achieve what the regulation was requiring. Lisa understands what stresses the Adult Homes, ALP’s and all other licensed facilities are under and tries to help to relieve this pressure by being an advocate to those that are the law and policy makers.
I don’t think I would understand as much as I do today or be as good at what I do, if it weren’t for Lisa Newcomb and her understanding of the regulations or her guidance and support. Lisa has a unique quality in hearing what your need is, what you are trying to achieve and working between you and the Department of Health in order to find a middle ground.
ESAAL helped the WCA Home through many licensing processes which were the Home Care License in 1998, ALR license in 2008 and most recently, in 2011, the ALP license.
Annually, ESAAL achieves in getting the QUIP, now named EQUAL funding for facilities that accept SSI, this is a huge help!
ESAAL has guided us in grant writing, do’s and don’ts.
ESAAL has reviewed a few of my policies and residential applications prior to submitting to the DOH. ESAAL’s input was right on the mark and is what helped in meeting regulations and requirements, which then DOH approved.
ESAAL has helped us through the process in getting our Medicaid number so that we could bill for ALP services.
ESAAL provided a draft as to the required verbiage within the Compliance Plan
ESAAL updated all regulations and revised dear administration letters and directives. This was a huge help in cleaning out all the old versions that were no longer valid.
ESAAL is always keeping us “in the know” through on-going emails and FYI’s as to what the DOH had posted on the HCS. This is great as I don’t have the time to always be checking to see if there is something new. I’m able to put my time and efforts in the daily operations and know that if there was something that needed my attention ESAAL will notify me.
ESAAL has been keeping us informed as to the CRISP insurance issues. Moreover, you can hear their concern and almost can feel our pain, which in many ways, makes it a little easier.
ESAAL has begun offering webinars which I personally appreciate! I feel this just is another layer of great service that we as members have come to expect and enjoy.
I just can’t say enough as to what ESAAL means to myself and the WCA Home. I couldn’t find a better organization to be a part of or a member to.