ALAA UPDATE: Letter from the President

I first want to say thank you to the membership for allowing me to serve as your President; I am excited for a new year and 2010 is fast approaching! Thank you to those who came to the December Member Drive meeting! We renewed many memberships and gained a few new ones even-WELCOME! Please note that the membership year has changed from a fiscal year (July through June) to a calendar year (Jan through Dec) so annual memberships ARE DUE NOW! Updated application is available on website as well.

For those who attended you were able to hear from other providers many of the challenges facing us as professional, compassionate business providers. As reviewed the ALAA board has continued to work on the behalf of the industry to increase professionalism within the industry, to enhance our relationships with the decision makers and to be a part of the decision making process itself. Things have not abated in the battle for an equitable cost methodology for Waiver services. In fact it is steadily brewing with the upcoming legislative season at hand and the state’s efforts to expedite the process underway. Many providers have been meeting with the state in “roundtable” discussion pertaining to the pending proposed regulations regarding cost methodology in an attempt to improve the outcome and decrease the amount of public comment by working WITH providers ahead of time. The ALAA board has been present throughout the process and will continue to do so. However, it is quite clear that the work started by lobbyist Kevin Jardell last year will absolutely have to continue through this next year to have a chance to make common ground and hopefully eventually suceed in a plan that will work well for the majority. Having said this it is critical that if you did not commit any funds for the 2009 year that you submit them now and for those who already committed that you plan to submit 2010’s contribution soon. The January 12, 2010 meeting will be focused on raising the funds for the lobbyist to ensure our voice and needs continue to be heard in the legislature.

Aside from that I also encourage you to reflect upon your year as a business owner and start thinking of what type of personal and business goals you can make to improve not only your business, but the lives of the population you serve. The services we provide as assisted living providers as well as all the others who are associate members and provide much needed services to the population help to improve the communities we live in and our reach is far! Please give yourself praise for your efforts but don’t forget all those who make it possible! ALAA will strive this year to provide educational opportunities, continue the work with the state and legislative bodies, and as always to promote the professionalism and value of this industry.

Go forth and conquer in your New Year! Cheers!
Theresa Brisky, President