WellSky

WellSky recently released a tip sheet to help agencies better respond to the continued workforce crisis. The tip sheet examines the lingering effects of COVID-19 and the broader employment market and provides possible approaches to help alleviate the workforce crisis. The sheet suggests incorporation of new efficiencies, certifications and incentivization programs, best uses for American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, and more.

In 2017, Reading Hospital was awarded a $4.5 million grant from CMS to implement the Accountable Health Communities (AHC) model and assess whether addressing the health-related social needs of local Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries would impact their healthcare costs and inpatient and outpatient healthcare utilization. This case study looks at 747 patients with resolved food needs and finds that among this cohort, emergency department visits dropped 32%, hospital admissions decreased 32%, readmissions were reduced by 30%, and hospital costs went down 31%. Among the patients who were also on the Diabetes Registry, A1C rates decreased by an average of 2.2%

Disasters come in many forms, from hurricanes and wildfires to pandemics and cyber attacks. Some of the hardest-hit victims are often older adults, individuals with disabilites, and unsheltered clients. WellSky is offering a free white paper to inform disaster preparedness plans. The paper provides step-by-step guidance to implement the five phases of preparedness, locate federal and state resources available to you, and continue service provision during and after an emergency.

This webcast, part of the WellSky & Guidehouse webinar series “Supporting the New Age of HCBS,” highlights federal and state leaders' visions for the future of workforce management, with a focus on person-centered care. A panel of experts answered questions around Section 9817 funding toward long-term workforce development and developments in Washington, DC.

The wave of federal funding from programs like the American Rescue Plan and Consolidated Appropriations acts can be overwhelming to comprehend. Many state leaders are wondering how best to invest these funds while keeping future needs in mind. This panel of state-level experts will provide considerations for funding topics including: • Understanding current funding initiatives • Considering the range of options states have to use funds • Implementing innovations like private-pay programs

Georgia’s Department of Human Services’ Division of Aging Services (DAS) used WellSky’s configurable platform to meet the case management, data collection, decision making, and reporting needs of the state during the pandemic. Download this case study to read about how Georgia was successful in meeting the increased needs of seniors during COVID-19.

Wellsky has published a paper detailing how proactive action by states, health systems, and communities can reduce the number of seniors experiencing homelessness. The paper discusses the following topics: why skyrocketing senior homelessness is virtually inevitable in the coming years; how health and human services in your state or community will be affected; and what actions can best help specific segments of the senior homeless population.

The Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) serves over 18,000 elderly and disabled members though its Medicaid waiver program. Oklahoma’s previous paper-based system caused wait times for consumers to enroll and to receive services. With the implementation of WellSky Human Services, Oklahoma took advantage of the system’s conditional logic capabilities to capture additional information on an assessment form when needed.

When COVID-19 appeared in early 2020, human services agencies across the country had to adapt overnight. The Georgia Department of Human Services’ Division of Aging Services created new partnerships with restaurants, placed emergency funds into use quickly, streamlined decision-making and more to meet the needs of seniors.