The Department of Social Services (DSS) has announced the revised assisted living regulations will take effect on February 1, 2018 provided there are not major objections to the regulations posted during a 30-day public comment period on them that will open on November 13, 2017. 

To help members prepare for the changes in the coming months, VHCA-VCAL will provide members with descriptions of the 30 major changes by regulatory category along with reminders about policies and procedures you may need to update. 

DSS will allow for a 60-day grace period when the licensing inspectors will not cite facilities on the new regulations.  However, DSS Director for Adult Licensing Programs Tara Davis Ragland and Associate Director-Adult Licensing Programs Director Missy Currier encourage providers to becoming familiar with the new regulations as soon as possible.

DSS plans to designate a dedicated email address providers can use to submit their questions regarding the new regulations.  The agency will use any such questions to write technical assistance and/or answer those questions that can be answered directly. 

DSS also plans to host training on the new regulations.  Two or three days of training will be offered during the following windows in each region:

• Western/Piedmont Regions – November 27 – December 1
• Eastern/Peninsula Regions – December 4 – December 8
• Fairfax/Valley/Northern – December 11 – December 15
• Central Region – December 11 – 15

VHCA-VCAL will share additional information on the sessions as soon as it is available.

If you have questions about the new standards, contact April Payne.

Resources
Proposed Standards for Licensed Assisted Living Facilities (Comprehensive Revision)