It’s been a long and challenging road for the Association and our members over the past six months. From the aftermath of Hurricane Irma to the threats we faced in the Legislature and the Constitution Revision Commission (CRC), it was as if the roller coaster ride was never going to come to an end.
And while we know there will always be challenges in this profession, it’s good to have closure – or at least certainty – in the areas of generators, as well as legislation and proposed amendments that threatened to expand lawsuits against us.
By now you have likely read our 2018 Legislative Wrap Up and know the outcomes of the session. Increased Medicaid funding, generator rule ratifications and legislation that focused on resident care and improved operations were a big reason Florida Politics named FHCA as one of the “winners” during the 2018 session. Shortly thereafter, CRC Proposal 88 was withdrawn and Proposal 54 was amended so nursing centers were no longer in the crossfire of this governing body.
And while we can never take our hands off the wheel, it’s good to move forward with positive momentum as we shift gears toward a series of professional development opportunities.
By the time you read this article, FHCA will have hosted its annual Quality Symposium, with much of its focus on solutions for our workforce needs. If you missed the event, you can rest assured that you’ll have similar sessions to choose from during our signature event, FHCA’s 2018 Annual Conference & Trade Show.
Set for July 15-19 at The Diplomat Beach Resort in Hollywood, this year’s Annual Conference is shaping up to be another success. ACC Chair Julie Morris and her team have lined up a dynamic list of speakers with sessions designed for professionals at all stages in their long term care career. Topics run the gamut – from clinical/care practices, finance/development, legal/regulatory/survey and operations/quality improvement. We’ll also host an assisted living day with four dedicated sessions, and full Conference registrants will receive a free copy of the required Medical Errors course. This, along with over 61 educational sessions and the potential to earn up to 24 contact hours, is the reason FHCA’s Annual Conference & Trade Show is the leading event in the southeast. Check out all the details at www.fhcaconference.org, where you can also register and reserve your hotel room beginning in April.
And for your nurses, you’ll want to make sure they attend FHCA’s Nurse Leadership Program in St. Pete Beach (May 31-June 1 at the Don CeSar Hotel). This is the leading clinical care conference in our state and an excellent way for them to network with their colleagues while also learning about the new survey process, the CMS Mega Rule, elopement prevention and other regulatory topics. Nurses are our leaders on the front line, and keeping them informed of what’s developing in our profession is critical to helping maintain and enhance our continuous quality improvement.
As you can tell things never slow down at FHCA. The staff operates at full speed throughout the year, whether its advocating for our issues or planning high-quality educational offerings. We’re always moving forward – focused, strategic and with a momentum that ensures our success.