ENDOWMENT AWARDS
The Vivian J. Roller Family Endowment has awarded a $500.00
grant to Dr. Carol Cox, Associate Professor of Health Science at Truman
State University, Kirksville, and her students from Eta Sigma Gamma,
National Professional Health Science Honorary.
Their proposal: Increasing Long-Term Care Administrators’
Awareness of the Missouri Long-Term Care Ombudsmen Program was selected
because their objective of implementing steps by LTC administrators to
secure an ombudsman in their facility best meets the criteria established by
the foundation. The project, which was created by the students, is slated to
begin January, 2006 and be completed by May of 2006.
In addition, the Roller Endowment will offer a $100.00
scholarship award to the outstanding Eta Sigma Gamma Student to be presented
at the MCQC October 7 Awards Breakfast in Kansas City.
SB457 and HB663 (Ombudsman Bill) Update
Review: SB457 and HB663 are identical bills submitted by members of MCQC
that affect major changes in the state long term care ombudsman program.
The Bill would make it mandatory for a facility to accept an
ombudsman if one is available. Also, the ombudsman could only be dismissed
by the State Ombudsman and the Regional Ombudsman Coordinator working in
concert and only after the ombudsman had been afforded just cause and due
process. Those facilities refusing to work with the ombudsman would be
subject to licensure sanctions.
Senate sponsors were Senators Graham and Wheeler. House
sponsor was Rep. Behnen.
Update: On March 30, 2005, after extensive lobbying, three
members of MCQC, Dr. Cox of Truman State Univ. and student ombudsman Maureen
Bylina gave testimony before a senate committee in support of the bill. On
April 6, 2005 despite opposition testimony from three sources, the bill was
unanimously voted “do pass”. Unfortunately the House version languished in
committee when time ran out. The fact that the bill was voted out of
committee unanimously testifies to the strength of the bill. Special thanks
for all those who worked so hard on this worthy project and to the sponsors.
Thanks also to Richard “Rick” Murray from Senator Wheeler’s office for his
untiring efforts on behalf of the bill and for keeping us informed on a
timely basis.
MEET YOUR NEW ELDERLY ADVOCATE
Since February 2005 Eric Feltner has been serving you as
Deputy Lieutenant
Governor and Elderly Advocate for Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder, and is
responsible for handling all the senior advocacy issues for that office as
well as issues dealing with tourism and economic development.
Eric’s responsibilities as the Elderly Advocate consist of
managing the “Office
of Advocacy and
Assistance for the Elderly” within the Lieutenant Governor’s office. He
coordinates activities with the long-term care ombudsman program
on complaints made by or on behalf of seniors residing in long-term care
facilities.
He also acts as a clearinghouse for information pertaining to and of
interest
to seniors and works with all the various senior advocacy groups to better
inform seniors of their rights and of services available to them.
Prior to joining Lt. Gov. Kinder’s office, Eric served as
District Director for Missouri Ninth District Congressman Kenny Hulshof, a
position he had held since Congressman Hulshof was elected in 1996.
Eric is a 1991 graduate of the University of
Missouri-Columbia with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. He
resides in Columbia.
MCQC BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Executive Director: Georgia Sanders
President: JoAnne Morrow
Vice President: Phyllis Krambeck
Treasurer: Chad Jordon
Central MO: Ann Hartmann
Kansas City: Howard Higgins,
Dave Damico, Marianne Ronan
St. Louis: Craig Marchand, Cyrilla Berving
Meetings of the MCQC
Board of Directors are open to all members and their guests. Please feel
free to attend. Meetings are on the first Saturday morning of each month.
There is always a full agenda and it is a good time to hear about policy
issues we are tracking and projects underway.
Call our office for more information
(888) 262-5644.
