CALA News & Views | Issue 48 | Impact

and smoothly as possible. Best practices have been shared through CALA’s weekly e-newsletter Update to help members avoid common pitfalls. CALA staff have worked with CPMB to elevate stalled background checks, which has given providers information about whether there is criminal history and an exemption is needed, if there is some issue with the fingerprints or other action the provider needs to take, or a clearance or simplified exemption may also be granted. Another change that CPMB has made due to CALA’s ongoing work was to allow analysts that answer the phone lines access to information to help callers when they call for an applicant that is “In Process.” Prior to this, call center staff could not answer any questions like whether an applicant has criminal history or whether an applicant with criminal history could qualify for a simplified exemption or would have to go through the standard exemption process. The Guardian vendor made system updates throughout the year to help solve issues that CALA repeatedly raised with the department to find solutions to the most pressing issues. Some of the updates made it possible to expedite and auto generate exemption needed letters, more information needed letters and other legal letters which has dramatically increased efficiency. The Guardian system has implemented additional checks that will help cut down on applicants going into the “error batch.” Another system update helps to match up applicants that get Live Scanned even though they are already in the system with a clearance or exemption, which will help cut down duplicates and lengthy delays waiting for the notice that they are eligible to work. As the department moves toward a replacement system for Guardian, CALA continues to remind the department of the need for stakeholder input prior to a system being implemented. Doing so will help avoid mistakes that were made during the Guardian acquisition process. In addition to a formal stakeholder process, CALA will proactively gather information from members to provide to CPMB to help them better understand the positives of Guardian, what does not work well in Guardian, and what new things a different system should have to make it efficient and easier for all to use. Administrator Certification Processing Improvements Coming Soon Another area of priority focus is improving the processing times for new administrators and renewals, which are taking roughly six months and eight months, respectively. CALA made clear that these delays are completely unacceptable and not sustainable. As a result of CALA’s advocacy, during the CALA spring conference, DSS outlined and then followed up on a framework to address issues when new and continuing administrator’s certification packages are delayed: ● Administrator Certification Section (ACS) coordinates with the Centralized Applications Bureau (CAB) to identify

www.CAassistedliving.org 13 DSS and the Administrator Certification Section (ACS) is actively looking for short and long-term solutions, much as they did with background checks. With their own hiring challenges and lack of authority to grant “provisional certification,” resolution to this problem will take us into 2024. " " “I am quite certain that without CALA’s involvement and direction in opposing or guiding legislation, Assisted Living would not exist as we know it. CALA works everyday to ensure that our legislators understand what differentiates us from skilled nursing, and how senior living has grown & adapted over the years.” Eric A. Hostetter, Executive Director, Bruceville Point, Tenfold Senior Living current and prospective administrators tied to a new licensure and will process them in tandem. ● New administrators with a job offer may submit a written request to expedite their package, which must include verifiable documentation of a job offer and proof of submission to ACS. ● Licensing Program Analysts (LPAs) are continuing to be made aware of processing delays with ACS. During inspections, if there is no current certification and licensing can validate the submission of paperwork the LPA will take that into account when determining whether to cite. This is done on a case-by-case basis. (If you are cited, elevate to the regional manager right away and let CALA know). ● If an administrator certification package is deemed incomplete the administrator has 90-days to remediate. At this point, the case has been assigned a case manager and the process will move as quickly as the administrator does to get their information processed and the certificate emailed. A delinquency fine isn’t assessed if the package was submitted prior to expiration. ACS is working on an online portal that should help speed the process by allowing online payment and submission of renewal applications and supporting documentation. CALA is urging that a group of licensees test the system and provide feedback prior to launch so any issues on the end user side can be addressed.