User:NYAHSA/Sandbox

The New York Association of Homes & Services for the Aging (NYAHSA) is a dynamic and growing not-for-profit 501(c)(4) organization that provides a range of services to its membership of not-for-profit and government-operated aging and continuing care services organizations in New York state. NYAHSA's members cover the spectrum of aging care and services, including senior housing and retirement living communities, skilled nursing facilities, adult care facilities and home- and community-based services.

NYAHSA is one of the oldest and largest nonprofit aging services member associations in the nation and is among the most prominent of its kind. It is affiliated with the national American Association of Homes & Services for the Aging. NYAHSA’s 598 member organizations and 200 associate member organizations serve thousands thousands of frail and elderly New Yorkers in residential facilities and the complete range of home- and community-based programs and services -- home health care, adult day health care, companion care, home and community-based managed long term care, respite care, congregate meals, wellness services and various other supportive services.

In addition, NYAHSA is comprised of these key entities:
 * Foundation for Long Term Care
 * NYAHSA Services
 * Political Action Committee
 * NYAHSA Group Purchasing
 * Adult Day Health Care Council

Foundation for Long Term Care

The Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) enterprise, organizes, sponsors and promotes research and educational programs for the continuing care field. Founded in 1978, it has a reputation for outstanding research and demonstration projects and for innovative seminars aimed at keeping health care professionals informed of the ever-changing field.

FLTC's affiliation with NYAHSA is mutually beneficial: The organizations share a willing and cooperative study pool; they remain focused on projects that make an immediate practical difference in care for the elderly; and their research is guided by the needs of residents, staff, and management in these facilities. The FLTC also benefits from an expert research advisory board that adds an academic and national orientation to their work.

The FLTC has won two national and one statewide award for its demonstration and research projects. The research is complemented by education: The FLTC provides about 60 two-day conferences and one-day seminars on topics critical to long term care providers each year.

NYAHSA Services NYAHSA Services is a wholly owned for-profit subsidiary of NYAHSA and explores programs that integrate the need and delivery of appropriate member services to NYAHSA members by arrangements with selected providers to furnish comprehensive subject outlines, explicit standards for selection, formal programs for ongoing quality assurance and a significant financial incentive for NYAHSA members to use endorsed providers associated with NYAHSA Services.

By way of an extensive evaluation process, NYAHSA Services pursues its goal of helping to control the skyrocketing costs member facilities experience without sacrificing the quality of goods and products member facilities receive.

NYAHSA Services offers various member services through education, publications, conferences and consultation, as well as direct endorsement of services and products to facilitate the operation of NYAHSA member facilities.

Political Action Committee The PAC, a political organization established under Section 527, raises funds to support the programs of NYAHSA. The NYAHSA-PAC was formed in 1991. PACs, in general, resulted from the reality that political campaigns are tremendously expensive. Candidates are increasingly dependent upon fundraising to obtain the resources necessary to finance their political campaigns. A PAC allows individuals to pool their financial resources and make collective contributions to the campaigns of candidates who support a PAC’s issues of concern. In an ideal world, financial contributions to a political campaign would not be necessary; it would not increase the political influence of the contributor. However, it is a fact that groups that have strong PACs generally enjoy greater political access than those who do not. Recognizing this, the NYAHSA Board concluded that forming the NYAHSA-PAC would enhance the ongoing legislative efforts of the Association.

NYAHSA Group Purchasing NYAHSA Group Purchasing, a for-profit organization, was organized on December 18, 2006, to perform group purchasing. NYAHSA Services, Inc is the sole member of NYAHSA Group Purchasing, LLC.

NYAHSA Affiliates NYAHSA has an affiliate in the field of adult day care, the Adult Day Health Care Council (ADHCC).

Adult Day Health Care Council (ADHCC) Adult Day Health Care Council is a community-based, long-term care program providing comprehensive health care to the frail elderly, chronically ill and disabled individuals in a congregate day setting. The ADHCC has provided leadership by participating in research, policy analysis, legislative directives and regulatory reform. It is the council’s continued goal to provide its members with information, education and support that will enable members to meet the complex health needs of the chronically ill or disabled adults who choose to remain in their communities and use the services which are provided in a quality, cost-effective, yet compassionate environment. The ADHCC has functioned as an affiliate of NYAHSA since 1995.

Brief Background
The New York Association of Homes & Services for the Aging was founded in 1961. 6 NYAHSA’S members include HUD-Financed Housing and Retirement Housing for the Elderly; Adult Care Facilities; Skilled Nursing Facilities; Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs); Assisted Living Facilities; and a wide range of Home and Community-Based Service Providers including home health care, adult day care, companion care, home and community based managed long term care, respite care, congregate meals, wellness services, and various other supportive services NYAHSA is highly regarded as a leader at both the state and national level. NYAHSA member organizations are generally recognized as New York’s finest care providers. Many NYAHSA member leaders rank among the state’s top experts in the field of aging services. Accordingly, NYAHSA’s perspective on issues is routinely sought by governmental leaders and policymakers. NYAHSA has an exceptional record of success in legislative and regulatory advocacy on behalf of its members. NYAHSA members serve older adults within a continuum of care and services designed to meet the needs of the whole person -- physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual. The association believes quality of life is attainable at all ages and is committed to achieving this aim through the members. With collective action, NYAHSA promotes research and services, an exchange of information, educational opportunities, favorable state and national legislation and policies, and cooperation and collaboration with other individuals and organizations sharing NYAHSA’s mission.

== NYAHSA MISSION == NYAHSA is committed to influencing policymakers on all aspects of continuing care issues, providing its members with the very latest and most accurate information they need and supporting members as they strive for innovation in the field of continuing care. NYAHSA and its members strive to create the future of aging and continuing care services in New York State.

LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY AND REGULATORY REPRESENTATION
As the advocate for member housing providers, skilled nursing facilities, adult care facilities, CCRCs, home and community-based service providers and the elderly public, NYAHSA monitors all legislative proposals affecting the delivery of health care, social services and housing and home and community-based services. The state association provides members with timely information regarding pertinent bills and regulations. During legislative sessions, NYAHSA provides members with full coverage of the New York legislature, including summaries and analyses of key bills affecting the operation of elderly housing, skilled nursing facilities and home and community-based care providers. NYAHSA member leaders and management staff sit on key state boards and regulatory advisory committees and play important roles in shaping policies concerning the state’s aging population. The association has a close working relationship with the many government agencies that regulate member communities. Opportunities to participate in the regulatory process are available to NYAHSA members throughout the year by serving on work groups which review rule changes or develop new policies.

FLTC EDUCATION DIVISION
NYAHSA and the Foundation for Long Term Care (FLTC) education entity conduct workshops throughout the year to enhance the effectiveness of member leaders and staff. NYAHSA seminars and the annual conference enable members to obtain much of the professional credit mandated to retain licenses and certification. FLTC is dedicated to the promotion of a better understanding of aging and services to older adults in New York. It serves as the forum to promote research and provide educational opportunities about aging to the general public, organizations, and individuals involved in housing and services for older adults.