CALA News & Views | Issue 53 | CALA at 30

LICENSING INTEGRITY Licensing integrity is a cornerstone of CALA’s advocacy. Over the years, CALA has worked closely with DSS to address issues that arise in the field, ensuring licensing enforcement is clear and consistent. CALA’s success in securing budget increases for CCLD has allowed for necessary staff expansions and improved the licensing process. This has always been a strong focus of CALA’s efforts and continues today. A major victory in this area was the restoration of annual RCFE licensing inspections, which at one point were only conducted every five years. This change was made possible through CALA’s advocacy for increased DSS funding in the 2015–2016 State Budget. Additional COVID-19 RESPONSE AND IMPACT The COVID-19 pandemic presented unprecedented challenges for Assisted Living providers. CALA worked alongside its members to secure necessary resources and advocate for policies that would protect both residents and staff. CALA’s efforts included advocating for flexibility in hiring, securing protective equipment and addressing staff testing and treatment needs. Throughout the pandemic, CALA ensured that Assisted Living providers had priority access to COVID-19 testing, vaccinations and treatment. CALA’s leadership on the Vaccine Advisory Task Force helped shape vaccine rollout, ensuring that Assisted Living communities received timely access to vaccines and booster shots. Additionally, CALA secured access to affordable PCR testing through the state’s Valencia Lab and worked with the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) to expand the availability of CLIA waivers for antigen testing. In response to the evolving guidance from multiple agencies, CALA worked to reduce duplicative reporting requirements and clarify confusing protocols. CALA’s ongoing engagement with local and state officials helped ensure that Assisted Living communities had access to clear, consistent and timely information. As COVID-19 became more manageable, CALA advocated for the removal of overly restrictive quarantine measures and helped guide the transition back to a more natural living environment for residents. By successfully arguing that Assisted Living communities are residential settings, CALA helped lift mask and vaccine mandates and improve communication, easing staffing challenges.

budget increases resulted in the hiring of key staff, including a registered nurse to offer medical expertise, and the creation of a Quality Assurance Unit. In terms of background checks, CALA has led the charge to improve the Guardian IT system. After working to secure state funding and overhaul processes, CALA’s efforts have resulted in faster background checks and improved efficiency in the system. CALA continues to collaborate with DSS to improve the background check process, reduce delays, and provide more flexible solutions for providers. This continues to have a positive impact on the senior care workforce.

LOOKING TO 2025 AND BEYOND

As CALA looks ahead, 2025 and beyond present both challenges and opportunities. A major recent development in dementia care regulations will allow residents with dementia to age in place, providing more flexibility in how they are cared for. CALA was instrumental in these changes, providing members with resources and educational opportunities to help them adapt to the new regulations. Processing times for administrator certifications, which had reached a peak of 10 months, are now down to approximately two months, thanks to CALA’s ongoing advocacy. This improvement, along with the launch of an online portal for new administrators, will continue to streamline the certification process for providers. CALA has been advocating for DSS to clarify expectations regarding the use of 9-1-1 services for Assisted Living communities. The current 9-1-1 requirements have created tension among emergency responders who aren’t aware of our requirements. The recent PIN provides details on when 9-1-1 must be called and examples of when other medical care, like mobile X-Ray, can be sought to help provide timely care and avoid inappropriate use of the emergency response system. CALA will continue advocating for changes to ensure that emergency calls are used appropriately and efficiently, based on residents’ needs, as DSS works on updates to 87465 . As CALA continues to advocate for the future of Assisted Living, Memory Care and CCRCs in California, it remains focused on enhancing the quality of care, expanding access and creating a system that promotes flexibility and innovation, while supporting providers in meeting the complex demands of this model of care. Issues related to emergency preparedness, staffing models, reoccurring licensing delays and care delivery will continue to arise, and we are ready. Building on a strong foundation of member engagement and success, CALA is well prepared for the next 30 years.

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