Committees

The role of the activity professional has evolved over the past few years into one of the most instrumental roles in health care communities today. This committee strives to keep members abreast of changing professional standards as well as provide support for quality programs and innovations in long term care communities. The Activity Professionals Council will meet (virtually) on the 3rd Tuesday of each month, between 2:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Chair: Olivia Mogab Co-Chair: Sarah Snyder

The Council of Associate Members is dedicated to supporting the Colorado Health Care Association in their efforts to help meet the needs of long term care residents. Our purpose is to work with the CHCA Board, provider members, and other stakeholders in a collaborative manner to deliver quality of care to the disabled and frail elderly in our community. The Council of Associate Members will meet (virtually) on the 3rd Thursday; every other month (Feb, Apr, June, Aug, Oct, Dec), between 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. Chair: Courtney Petek.

This committee works to monitor proposed legislation and regulations for assisted living facilities and assists in developing educational sessions geared toward assisted living providers. The CCAL will tentatively be held on the second Wednesday of each month at 2:00 p.m. Chair: To Be Determined.

This committee works to monitor all proposed legislation (State & Federal) affecting long term care, organizes lobbying efforts as needed, and monitors any proposed changes in Medicaid Reimbursement. Chair: Janet Snipes. Meets at CHCA, third Thursday monthly, 10-12PM, in conjunction with and subject to the Board of Directors’ schedule.

The goal of this committee is to create a forum for providers to voice their concerns and struggles with Medicaid determination and reimbursement. The committee aggregates the struggles and resulting questions from across the state to bring to the attention of state governments in order to work towards an agreeable solution. The committee also allows for Medicare providers from different entities across the membership to share ideas, tips and advice from past experiences in each county. Chair: Jennifer Manchego-Pena.

Long-term care nurse professionals network with and educate nurses on current clinical management and survey standards, while keeping abreast of pertinent regulatory and legislative issues. They recommend ongoing educational opportunities for nursing professionals from SDCs and CNAs to nurse executives. The NEC Council will meet (virtually) on the 2nd Thursday of each month, between 8:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. Chair: Janielle Finch.

This committee works to empower food and nutrition professionals in Colorado through education, information, and networking, and to ensure high quality food & nutrition and culinary programs to long term care residents. They design the annual 4-day Food & Nutrition Training Course. The NPC will meet (virtually) on the 2nd Thursday; every other month (Feb, Apr, June, Aug, Oct, Dec), between 2:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Chair: Emily Clark.

This committee has adopted the AHCA Quality Initiative Goals for Colorado. Through education, support, and guidance, QIL is focused on improving quality in Colorado nursing homes and assisted living communities. The committee has chosen some focus areas: staff stability, Quality Awards, and unintended health care outcomes, to name a few, that will drive committee work over the next couple of years and further the overarching goal of supporting the great work that goes on every day in our Colorado communities. The QIL council will meet (virtually) on the 2nd Tuesday of each month, between 3:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Chair: Wendy Ness.

This committee addresses the Requirements of Participation around emergency preparedness to help facilities become proactive in this growing area of focus. Knowledgeable speakers are invited to present about areas of concern and members share both challenges and best practices. The Safety and Emergency Preparedness Council will meet (virtually) on the 1st Wednesday of each month, between 10:30 a.m. and Noon. Chair: Bruce Schmidt.

This committee works to empower social services staff in Colorado through education, information, and networking. Their primary goal is to provide high quality psychosocial support to long term care residents and their families. They design and present CHCA’s annual Social Work Certification course for those new to long term care. Meeting topics include working effectively with regulations and survey readiness, as well as sharing programming that promotes dignity, respect and culture change initiatives. The Social Services Professional council will meet (virtually) on the 4th Thursday of each month, between 2:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Chair: Jessica LeClaire

This Committee’s goal will be to establish a forum where attendees share best practices, tools, resources and approach for the implementation of effective infection control processes, with a focus on compliance and achieving superior outcomes for our residents, as we navigate the pandemic and there after. The Infection Preventionist Committee will meet on the fourth Friday of every month, from 10:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Chair: Deanna Curry, Co-Chair: Michelle Shockey