ROOTS Roundup

by Emmy Bender
Welcome to the Summer 2024 edition of ROOTS Roundup! In this newsletter you will read about what is happening at ANFP Headquarters, updates from Craig Brightup; ANFP’s Washington DC representative, and valuable information you can share with your state chapter and leaders.

Continuing their service on the Government Affairs committee are Barbara Thomsen, CDM, CFPP as Chair, Cindy Cothern, CDM, CFPP, Dave Kahn, Amarylis Saluk, CDM, CFPP, Jeffery Wuollet, CDM, CFPP and newest member Mark Riley, CDM, CFPP. This committee is responsible for Developing and implementing comprehensive and effective government affairs strategies for the association on the Federal and state levels.

Continuing their service on the ANFP PAC committee are Dorothy Radermacher as Chair, Karla Klein, CDM, CFPP, Marjorie Smith, CDM, CFPP, Raven Marchino, CDM, CFPP and newest member, Jesus Osorio, CDM, CFPP. This committee is responsible for assisting the Government Affairs committee in the development and implementation of effective government affairs strategies and recommends the disbursement of funds from the ANFP-PAC in concert with current legislative strategies.

The U.S. Dept. of Education (ED) has revised minimum hour requirements for approved training programs to be eligible for Title IV financial assistance. New requirements are from the Oct. 31, 2023, final rule “Fiscal Responsibility, Administrative Capability, Certification Procedures, Ability to Benefit (ATB),” which amend regulations for Title IV of the Higher Education Act. 

Starting July 1, 2024, to be eligible for Title IV financial assistance, training programs must adhere to amended gainful employment regulations at 34 CFR §668.14(b)(26), which specify programs can’t require hours exceeding the greater of either the institution-stated didactic and field experience minimums or the minimums required by the State to qualify for Title IV funding. The ANFP program is offered in fifty schools nationwide and requires a minimum of 120 didactic and 150 field hours, but many approved schools exceed the minimums. As of July 1, those schools and their newly enrolled students will not be eligible for Title IV financial assistance unless their hours are pared back to match ANFP’s minimums or the State’s, whichever is greater.

The proposed FY2025 Prospective Payment System for SNFs published by CMS on April 3 also included requests for comments on potential changes to the malnutrition code and nutritional approaches for residents; the Quality Reporting Program concerning food; and the Value-Based Purchasing Program. ANFP submitted comments on these topics to CMS in May.      

ANFP Washington Representative Craig Brightup attended a May 8 lunch for Congresswoman Jen Kiggans, who saluted National CDM, CFPP Day with remarks she made in the Congressional Record, and a July event for Kiggans is being planned for which ANFP-PAC support will be requested. 

If you are interested to learn more about the GrassROOTS initiatives or to become a member of the network please sign up here. Please also consider giving to ANFP’s Political Action Committee. ANFP-PAC is integral to our visibility and success on Capitol Hill. ANFP-PAC can now accept association member contributions electronically via an FEC-compliant system to facilitate donations at ANFP’s live meetings and other events. ANFP-PAC had $8,5334 cash-on-hand as of May 31, 2024, and the goal is to reach $10-15,000.