HCAOA The Voice Winter 2017-18

5 Winter 2017-18 MEMBER NEWS Chapters News DURING THE 2017 HCAOAANNUAL LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE, the Committee on Chapters held their quarterly meeting. The Committee on Chapters is comprised of leaders from all HCAOA chapters. The meeting was a huge success with representation not only from existing chapters, but also from states where HCAOA is looking to develop new chapters. During the meeting, there was discussion on chapter priorities and ways to increase state level activity. Chapter leaders shared best practices regarding advocacy and membership. Each chapter gave the committee an update on activity in their state. Many states are facing similar issues such as caregiver recruitment and issues with sleep time. Chapter leaders were able to share how they have approached these issues and provided a benefit in helping to guide smaller chapters and/or newer chapters. The Manager of Chapter Services, Nataly Schwartz, discussed the importance of goal and budget setting for the next year and that the three main goals of any chapter should include membership, advocacy and public awareness. Executive Director, Phil Bongiorno presented on how chapters can use resources like the Value of Home Care report to increase public awareness, especially for state officials. Over the past year, Nataly has worked with members to open new chapters in Iowa, Ohio, Arkansas, Kentucky, Kansas and Alabama. HCAOA is establishing chapters in the states listed below. If you are located in one of those states and would like to get involved in the new chapter, please contact Nataly Schwartz, Manager of Chapter Services at nataly@hcaoa.org. ONMONDAY, OCTOBER 9, DURING THE 2017 ANNUAL Leadership Conference in Austin, HCAOA held a special breakout session on chapters. The following four speakers were present at the session: Mitch Williams co-chair of the HCAOA California chapter, Katie Fielmann, chair of the HCAOA Illinois chapter, Krystal Wilkinson, chair of the HCAOA Arizona chapter and Phil Bongiorno, Executive Director of HCAOA. Phil Bongiorno presented an overview of the chapter program, including governance and the steps to starting a new chapter. The three other panelists presented the successes their chapters have had over the past year. These successes included negotiation with the Department of Social Services (DSS) in California regarding an increase in fees. In Illinois, the chapter helped pass two bills. The first bill requires that all hospitals receiving state funding can only refer patients to licensed home care providers. The second bill established a portal to make it easier to report companies that misclassify their employees. In Arizona, the chapter created the Safe Home Care Coalition which increases public awareness regarding the differences in W-2 employers and those using an independent contractor model. Afterwards, the audience was able to ask questions, engaging in lively conversation with the panelists on the subject of chapters. If you want to get involved in your state chapter, or help to open a new chapter, please contact Nataly Schwartz, Manager of Chapter Services at nataly@hcaoa.org. • Indiana • Louisiana • Maryland • Michigan • Minnesota • Nevada • New Jersey • New Mexico • New York • Oklahoma • Oregon • Pennsylvania • South Carolina • Tennessee • Virginia