Hello Everyone,
Please enjoy the information contained in this edition of Frontier Focus. Please be sure to share it with your members, colleagues, providers and office billing staff. Thank you for your continued efforts to broadcast Medicare information to the providers in Region VIII.
Table of Contents
1. REMINDER: CMS to Host First National Medicare Fee-For-Service (FFS) Provider Education Call on HIPAA Version 5010 - June 9, 2009
2. Noridian Administrative Services DME Update: May 2009 NSC News Now Available
3. Ask the Contractor Teleconference on Section 1011
4. DMEPOS Supplier Accreditation Reminder
5. New from the Medicare Learning Network
6. Supplemental Proposed Rule CMS-1406-P2
7. FY 2009 Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) Personal Computer (PC) Pricer Updated
8. Extra Help for Beneficiaries Paying for Prescription Drugs
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1. REMINDER: CMS to Host First National Medicare Fee-For-Service (FFS) Provider Education Call on HIPAA Version 5010 - June 9, 2009
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will host a national education conference call to address Medicare’s FFS implementation of HIPAA Version 5010. This call is being conducted for all Medicare fee-for-service providers. The call will give a general overview of Medicare’s transition to HIPAA Version 5010 and address some of the exceptions and situations you may encounter as the new version is implemented. A presentation will be given and Subject Matter Experts will be available to answer questions specific to Medicare. A PowerPoint presentation will be posted on the CMS 5010 Web page prior to the call. The CMS 5010 Web address is http://www.cms.hhs.gov/ElectronicBillingEDITrans/18_5010D0.asp
Conference call details:
Date: June 9, 2009
Conference Title:
Medicare audio conference call: HIPAA Version 5010 – What you need to know!
Time: 2:30 – 4:00 p.m. ET
In order to receive the call-in information, you must register for the call. It is important to note that if you are planning to sit in with a group, only one person needs to register to receive the call-in data. This registration is solely to reserve a phone line, NOT to allow participation. If you cannot attend the call, there will be an audio version available for downloading on the 5010 Web page.
Registration will close at 2:30 p.m. ET on June 8, 2009, or when available space has been filled. No exceptions will be made, so please be sure to register prior to this time.
1. To register for the call participants need to go to: http://www2.eventsvc.com/palmettogba/060909
2. Fill in all required data.
3. Verify your time zone is displayed correctly the drop down box.
4. Click "Register".
You will be taken to the “Thank you for registering” page and will receive a confirmation email shortly thereafter. Note: Please print and save this page, in the event that your server blocks the confirmation emails. If you do not receive the confirmation email, please check your spam/junk mail filter as it may have been directed there.
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2. Noridian Administrative Services DME Update: May 2009 NSC News Now Available
The May 2009 National Supplier Clearinghouse (NSC) supplier newsletter has been published. Included in this issue is accreditation and surety bond information as well as a review of the appeals process and the requirements for completing the revised CMS-855S enrollment application for initial enrollment, reenrollments and changes of information. Suppliers are also provided with tips for successful site inspections. View the May 2009 NSC News here. Read the complete update
No 'General Announcements' articles are available for this scheduled distribution.
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3. Ask the Contractor Teleconference on Section 1011
The National Contractor for the Section 1011 program, TrailBlazer Health Enterprises®, is hosting the second of two Ask the Contractor Teleconferences for 2009 on Thursday, June 18, 2009 from 1-2:30 p.m. (CT).
This teleconference is designed for physicians, hospitals and ambulance suppliers and it will examine a variety of program issues that are specific to Section 1011 providers.
Ask the Contractor Teleconference – Section 1011 Providers
Thursday, June 18, 2009
1-2:30 p.m. (CT)
You may register for the event on the calendar of events page of the Section 1011 Web site, http://www.trailblazerhealth.com/Calendar/Default.aspx
A confirmation e-mail will be sent to the e-mail address provided when your registration is approved. The dial-in information will be e-mailed separately.
A question-and-answer session concludes the teleconference and you may e-mail your questions in advance through the close of business Thursday, June 11, 2009 to section.1011@trailblazerhealth.com with Ask the Contractor in the subject line.
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4. DMEPOS Supplier Accreditation Reminder
Time is running out for suppliers of durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies (DMEPOS) who bill Medicare under Part B to obtain accreditation by the September 30, 2009 deadline or risk having their Medicare Part B billing privileges revoked on October 1, 2009. A new MLN Matters Special Edition articles on this subject is now available. This article outlines what you need to do if you have not yet complied with the Medicare Program’s supplier and quality standards to be come accredited. To view the article, go to: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/SE0903.pdf on the CMS website.
While the accreditation process takes on average 6-7 months to complete, the process could take as long as 9 months to complete. Accordingly, DMEPOS suppliers should contact an accreditation organization right away to obtain information about the accreditation process and submit an application.
In order to retain or obtain a Medicare Part B billing number, all DMEPOS suppliers (except for exempted professionals and other persons as specified by the Secretary) must comply with the Medicare program’s supplier standards and quality standards to become accredited. The accreditation requirement applies to suppliers of durable medical equipment, medical supplies, home dialysis supplies and equipment, therapeutic shoes, parenteral/enteral nutrition, transfusion medicine and prosthetic devices, and prosthetics and orthotics.
Pharmacies, pedorthists, mastectomy fitters, orthopedic fitters/technicians and athletic trainers must also meet the September 30, 2009 deadline for DMEPOS accreditation. Certain eligible professionals and other persons as specified by the Secretary are exempt from the accreditation requirement.
Further information on the DMEPOS accreditation requirements, along with a list of the accreditation organizations and those professionals and other persons exempted from accreditation, may be found at the CMS website: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicareProviderSupEnroll/03_DeemedAccreditationOrganizations.asp .
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5. New from the Medicare Learning Network
The Second in Series: General Equivalence Mappings – ICD-9-CM to and from ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS Fact Sheet (May 2009), which provides basic information about the General Equivalence Mappings (GEM) including possible users of the GEMs, why the GEMs are needed, and how the GEMs files are formatted as well as Reimbursement Mappings information, is now available in downloadable format from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Medicare Learning Network at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/ICD-10Mappingfctsht.pdf .
For Your Information: MLN Matters Special Edition Article SE0433 titled "Skilled Nursing Facility Consolidated Billing As It Relates to Ambulance Services" is available at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/SE0433.pdf .
Reminder of Special Edition MLN Matters Article SE0904 titled “An Introductory Overview of the HIPAA 5010.” The implementation of HIPAA 5010 presents substantial changes in the content of the data that you submit with your claims as well as the data available to you in response to your electronic inquiries. The implementation will require changes to the software, systems, and perhaps procedures that you use for billing Medicare and other payers. So it is extremely important that you are aware of these HIPAA changes and plan for their implementation. This Special Edition article can help! View it at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/SE0904.pdf
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6. Supplemental Proposed Rule CMS-1406-P2
Title: Medicare Program; Proposed Rate Year (RY) 2010 Medicare Severity Long-Term Care Diagnosis‑Related Group (MS‑LTC‑DRG) Relative Weights and High‑Cost Outlier Fixed‑Loss Amount
Description: This supplemental proposed rule presents both proposed rate year (RY) 2010 Medicare severity-long-term care diagnosis related groups (MS‑LTC‑DRG) weights and a proposed RY 2010 high cost outlier (HCO) fixed-loss amount based on the revised fiscal year (FY) 2009 MS‑LTC‑DRG relative weights presented in an interim final rule with comment period (CMS-1337-IFC) published elsewhere in the same Federal Register.
CMS-1406-P2 can be found at:
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/LongTermCareHospitalPPS/LTCHPPSRN/itemdetail.asp?itemID=CMS1222248.
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7. FY 2009 Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) Personal Computer (PC) Pricer Updated
The IPPS PC Pricer for FY 2009 required a coding correction for special pay transfer. The diagnosis-related group (DRG) - 956 was removed from the special pay transfer list and moved to a regular post-acute care (PAC) transfer DRG. If you use the IPPS PC Pricer, please go to, http://www.cms.hhs.gov/PCPricer/03_inpatient.asp, and download the FY 2009.6 version of the PC Pricer, updated 05/28/2009.
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8. Extra Help for Beneficiaries Paying for Prescription Drugs
Do You Know Someone Who Is Having Trouble Paying For Prescription Drugs?
Medicare Can Help!
If an individual has limited income and resources, they may qualify for extra help from Medicare. It could be worth over $3,300 in savings on prescription drug costs per year.
Encourage people with Medicare to file for Extra Help online: https://s044a90.ssa.gov/apps6z/i1020/main.html or by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to apply over the phone.
State Health Insurance Information Program (SHIP) offices can assist with the application. Find contact information for a local SHIP Counselor at http://www.medicare.gov/contacts/static/allStateContacts.asp or by calling
1-800-MEDICARE.
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Lucretia James
Division for Medicare Health Plans Operations
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Region VIII
1600 Broadway, Suite 700
Denver, CO 80202
(303) 844-1568
lucretia.james@cms.hhs.gov
Professor Emeritus -- Dr. Tom Seymour from West Fargo, North Dakota -- Professor, Minot State University, MSU Faculty Regents Award (2015) -- PAST Peer Reviewer (Higher Learning Commission - Chicago); - Author and Presenter Board of Directors, SRT Communications, Inc and Minot City Alderman - Ward 5 (2010-June, 2016) PAST - Editor-in-Chief (North Dakota State Senator (2002-2010) 2017-Cass County Electric Cooperative- Board of Directors
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Education Review
ED REVIEW
June 5, 2009
...a bi-weekly update on U.S. Department of Education activities relevant to the Intergovernmental and Corporate community and other stakeholders
______________________________________________________________________
NPC SPEECH
On May 29, Secretary Duncan discussed the Obama Administration's education agenda in a speech at the National Press Club. "We have some real resources -- $100 billion -- to invest in education," he said. But, "with unprecedented resources, we need unprecedented reform." Specifically, among other issues, he addressed raising academic standards, turning around the country's low-performing schools, and saving $4 billion annually with direct loans for college. The following excerpts concern those issues.
"We want to raise the bar dramatically in terms of higher standards. What we have had as a country, I'm convinced, is what we call a 'race to the bottom.' We have 50 different standards, 50 different goal posts. And, due to political pressure, those have been dumbed down. We want to fundamentally reverse that. We want common, career-ready, internationally benchmarked standards…. When children are told that they are 'meeting a state standard,' the logical assumption is to think they are 'on-track' to be successful. But, because these standards have been dummied down and lowered so much in so many places, when children are 'meeting the state standard' they are, in fact, barely able to graduate from high school. And, they are absolutely inadequately prepared to go to a competitive college, let alone graduate from college."
"What I want to ask the country to do is to think very different about…the schools that are absolutely at the bottom nationally. More of the same incremental change, tinkering around the edges, is not going to work. We need a dramatic overhaul. Our children have one chance to get a great education…. And, there are many different ways to do this. But, what we did in Chicago is we moved the adults out. We kept the children and brought in new teams of adults -- same children, same families, same socioeconomic challenges, same buildings, same neighborhoods, different set of beliefs, different set of expectations. And what we saw was dramatic changes. We saw communities where children had fled where, in the first year, 125 families came back to the school, because something much better was going on."
"We're doing some things that we think are common sense -- but a little controversial. We are asking, in the Fiscal Year 2010 budget, to take our money out of banks, to stop subsidizing banks, and put all that investment into our children, into our high school graduates. Over the next decade, that will produce a savings of, conservatively, $40 billion. And, we can dramatically increase Pell Grants, Perkins Loans, and the tuition tax credit to make sure that our students can have the chance to go onto higher education and fulfill their dreams…. There's a lot of good debate -- and that's healthy. But, at the end of the day, I fundamentally think we should be investing in children, not in subsidizing banks."
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.edgovblogs.org/duncan/2009/06/excepts-from-secretary-arne-duncan%E2%80%99s-remarks-at-the-national-press-club/. (Note: A video of the speech is available at http://www.press.org/video/player.cfm?type=lunch&id=18024.)
Three days later (June 1), the Secretary praised a new effort by the National Governors Association's (NGA) Center for Best Practices and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO), partnering with Achieve, ACT, and the College Board, to create a common core of state standards in language arts and math for grades K-12. Forty-six states and three territories have joined the state-led process. The goal is to have a common core of state standards that states can voluntarily adopt; states may choose to include additional standards beyond the common core as long as the common core represents at least 85% of the state's standards in language arts and math. NGA and CCSSO are coordinating the process to develop these standards and will assemble an expert validation committee to provide an independent review of the common core standards, as well as grade-by-grade standards. The common core standards are expected to be completed in July 2009, while the grade-by-grade standards are expected to be finished by December 2009. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ccsso.org/whats_new/press_releases/13359.cfm.
Higher standards were also a focus of the Secretary's May 27 visit to Montana for the "Listening and Learning" tour. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2009/05/05282009.html.
______________________________________________________________________
HIGHER ED: NEGOTIATED RULEMAKING
On May 26, the Department published a notice in the Federal Register announcing its intention to establish negotiated rulemaking committees to prepare regulations under Title IV of the Higher Education Act (HEA). The agency intends to convene one committee to develop proposed regulations governing foreign schools. The agency also intends to convene at least one committee to develop proposed regulations to maintain or improve integrity within Title IV programs. The notice also announced three public meetings where interested parties may suggest other issues that should be duly considered for action by the committees: June 15 in Denver, June 18 in Little Rock, Arkansas, and June 22 in Philadelphia. In addition, on the day following each meeting, the Department will conduct two forums -- concurrently -- at the same location. One forum will focus on approaches to the agency's financial aid communications and processes (including the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA) that could wholly improve college planning, preparation, and access. The other forum will focus on ways that federal higher education programs could play a stronger role in fostering student educational persistence and degree attainment. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/policy/highered/reg/hearulemaking/2009/negreg-summerfall.html. (Note: Recently, Deputy Undersecretary Robert Shireman held a conference call with analysts and investors who monitor the career college and education industry to discuss the purpose and nature of these committees. To hear a replay of this discussion, call 1-800-945-7621. This replay will be available until June 30.)
Also: Making higher education more accessible and more affordable was the topic of the May edition of the "Education News Parents Can Use" broadcast. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.connectlive.com/events/ednews/20090519.html.
______________________________________________________________________
GRANTS FOR DISPLACED WORKERS
Yesterday (June 4), Secretary Duncan visited Milwaukee Area Technical College in Wisconsin and announced a $7 million competitive grant to establish innovative and sustainable community college programs that prepare displaced workers -- especially autoworkers -- for second careers. "Education is the catalyst for a strong economy and the means by which adults will reinvent themselves and rebuild the industrial cities that have been the foundation of our nation," he said. "The Obama Administration is committed to supporting auto communities and workers who have been displaced from their jobs, and community colleges are invaluable resources for adults seeking to acquire new skills that are needed by employers." The programs could provide critical services, including academic and career counseling and tutoring, and help with the registration process. They could also remove financial constraints for adults returning to school, such as textbooks, child care, and transportation. All programs must be sustainable beyond the three-year grant period. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2009/06/06042009.html.
Also: Last week, at a meeting of the Middle Class Task Force, the Secretary announced the Department's participation in a new federal partnership to foster job growth for a new green economy. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/middle-class-task-force-announces-agency-partnerships-to-build-a-strong-middle-class-through-a-green-economy/.
______________________________________________________________________
IDEA DETERMINATION LETTERS
As required by law, the Department has issued determination letters regarding states' implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Each state was evaluated on key indicators under Part B (ages 3 through 21) and Part C (infants through age 2) and placed into one of four categories: meets requirements, needs assistance, needs intervention, and needs substantial intervention. Staff carefully considered states' Annual Performance Reports, information obtained through monitoring visits, and other records. Most states fell into the top two categories; 30 states met requirements for Part B, and 26 states met requirements for Part C. No states were in needs substantial intervention on either part. For states in the lower categories, the IDEA identifies technical assistance or actions which the agency must take under specific circumstances. The agency works with states that need assistance or intervention using its network of technical assistance centers. New determination letters are issued annually. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/policy/speced/guid/idea/monitor/factsheet09.html.
______________________________________________________________________
CONDITION OF EDUCATION 2009
On May 28, the Department's National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) released its annual report (also required by law) on the condition of education in the U.S.. "The Condition of Education 2009" includes 46 indicators in five major areas -- participation in education, learner outcomes, student effort and educational progress, elementary and secondary education contexts, and postsecondary education contexts. (This summer, NCES will release a special analysis on international assessments.) Among the findings: in 2005-06, three-quarters of the 2002-03 freshman class graduated from high school with a regular diploma; the rate of college enrollment immediately after high school increased from 49% in 1972 to 67% by 1997 but has since fluctuated between 62% and 69%; and 58% of first-time students attending college full-time in 2000-01 completed a bachelor's degree or its equivalent at that institution within six years. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/. (Note: A statement by Secretary Duncan on the report is available at http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2009/05/05282009b.html.)
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ODDS AND ENDS
Congressional testimony related to the President's budget: Deputy Undersecretary Shireman (May 21 -- http://www.ed.gov/news/speeches/2009/05/05212009.html), Secretary Duncan (June 3 -- http://www.ed.gov/news/speeches/2009/06/06032009.html), and Assistant Deputy Secretary for Innovation and Improvement Jim Shelton (June 4 -- http://www.ed.gov/news/speeches/2009/06/06042009.html).
In a May 29 letter, the Secretary informed Chief State School Officers about the authorization of Qualified School Construction Bonds (QSCBs) and Build America Bonds (BABs) and the extension of existing Qualified Zone Academy Bonds (QZABs). The authorizations offer federal subsidies for public school improvement and modernization activities. Both QSCBs and BABs provide funding for new construction, as well as repairs and renovation; QZABs provide funding for repairs, renovations, and certain other actions but may not be used for new construction. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/secletter/090529.html.
This week, the Secretary announced the appointment of William Taggart as Chief Operating Officer of the Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA). Taggart has more than 24 years of business management experience with Fortune 50 companies. The President's budget would greatly expand federal student aid; in 2010, FSA would administer more than $129 billion in new grants, loans, and work-study assistance (a 32% increase over the amount available in 2008) to help nearly 14 million students and their families pay for college. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2009/06/06012009b.html.
The Department has compiled, and continues to update, a list of political appointees to the agency at http://www.ed.gov/news/staff/update.html.
The Department has also compiled, and continues to update, early childhood education programs and resources at http://www.ed.gov/parents/earlychild/ready/resources.html.
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QUOTE TO NOTE
"If you look on our web site, you will see that, as part of Recovery Act guidance, we have posted a list of almost 13,000 schools that are identified for improvement during the current school year. That number is up by more than 1,000 schools, or 9%, from the previous year. And more than one-third of these schools, or almost 5,000 schools, currently are in restructuring status -- the final stage of improvement for chronically under-performing schools that demands fundamental changes in instruction and governance to break the cycle of educational failure."
-- Secretary of Education Arne Duncan (6/3/09), testifying on the President's FY 2010 budget request
______________________________________________________________________
UPCOMING EVENTS
On a weekly basis, the Secretary's public schedule is posted online at http://www.ed.gov/news/events/calendars/secschedule.html.
On June 15, at 10:00 a.m. ET, NCES will release results of the 2008 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) in music and visual arts. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/arts/.
The next "Education News Parents Can Use" broadcast, on summer learning, is scheduled for June 16 (8:00-9:00 p.m. ET). FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/edtv/.
______________________________________________________________________
Please feel free to contact the Office of Communications and Outreach with any questions:
Director -- Stacey Jordan, (202) 401-0026, mailto:Stacey.Jordan@ed.gov
Program Analyst -- Adam Honeysett, (202) 401-3003, mailto:Adam.Honeysett@ed.gov
To be added or removed from distribution, or submit comments (we welcome your feedback!),
contact Adam Honeysett. Or, visit http://www.ed.gov/news/newsletters/edreview/.
This newsletter contains hypertext links to information created and maintained by other public and private organizations. These links are provided for the user's convenience. The U.S. Department of Education does not control or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of this outside information. Furthermore, the inclusion of links is not intended to reflect their importance, nor is it intended to endorse any views expressed, or products or services offered, on these sites, or the organizations sponsoring the sites.
June 5, 2009
...a bi-weekly update on U.S. Department of Education activities relevant to the Intergovernmental and Corporate community and other stakeholders
______________________________________________________________________
NPC SPEECH
On May 29, Secretary Duncan discussed the Obama Administration's education agenda in a speech at the National Press Club. "We have some real resources -- $100 billion -- to invest in education," he said. But, "with unprecedented resources, we need unprecedented reform." Specifically, among other issues, he addressed raising academic standards, turning around the country's low-performing schools, and saving $4 billion annually with direct loans for college. The following excerpts concern those issues.
"We want to raise the bar dramatically in terms of higher standards. What we have had as a country, I'm convinced, is what we call a 'race to the bottom.' We have 50 different standards, 50 different goal posts. And, due to political pressure, those have been dumbed down. We want to fundamentally reverse that. We want common, career-ready, internationally benchmarked standards…. When children are told that they are 'meeting a state standard,' the logical assumption is to think they are 'on-track' to be successful. But, because these standards have been dummied down and lowered so much in so many places, when children are 'meeting the state standard' they are, in fact, barely able to graduate from high school. And, they are absolutely inadequately prepared to go to a competitive college, let alone graduate from college."
"What I want to ask the country to do is to think very different about…the schools that are absolutely at the bottom nationally. More of the same incremental change, tinkering around the edges, is not going to work. We need a dramatic overhaul. Our children have one chance to get a great education…. And, there are many different ways to do this. But, what we did in Chicago is we moved the adults out. We kept the children and brought in new teams of adults -- same children, same families, same socioeconomic challenges, same buildings, same neighborhoods, different set of beliefs, different set of expectations. And what we saw was dramatic changes. We saw communities where children had fled where, in the first year, 125 families came back to the school, because something much better was going on."
"We're doing some things that we think are common sense -- but a little controversial. We are asking, in the Fiscal Year 2010 budget, to take our money out of banks, to stop subsidizing banks, and put all that investment into our children, into our high school graduates. Over the next decade, that will produce a savings of, conservatively, $40 billion. And, we can dramatically increase Pell Grants, Perkins Loans, and the tuition tax credit to make sure that our students can have the chance to go onto higher education and fulfill their dreams…. There's a lot of good debate -- and that's healthy. But, at the end of the day, I fundamentally think we should be investing in children, not in subsidizing banks."
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.edgovblogs.org/duncan/2009/06/excepts-from-secretary-arne-duncan%E2%80%99s-remarks-at-the-national-press-club/. (Note: A video of the speech is available at http://www.press.org/video/player.cfm?type=lunch&id=18024.)
Three days later (June 1), the Secretary praised a new effort by the National Governors Association's (NGA) Center for Best Practices and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO), partnering with Achieve, ACT, and the College Board, to create a common core of state standards in language arts and math for grades K-12. Forty-six states and three territories have joined the state-led process. The goal is to have a common core of state standards that states can voluntarily adopt; states may choose to include additional standards beyond the common core as long as the common core represents at least 85% of the state's standards in language arts and math. NGA and CCSSO are coordinating the process to develop these standards and will assemble an expert validation committee to provide an independent review of the common core standards, as well as grade-by-grade standards. The common core standards are expected to be completed in July 2009, while the grade-by-grade standards are expected to be finished by December 2009. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ccsso.org/whats_new/press_releases/13359.cfm.
Higher standards were also a focus of the Secretary's May 27 visit to Montana for the "Listening and Learning" tour. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2009/05/05282009.html.
______________________________________________________________________
HIGHER ED: NEGOTIATED RULEMAKING
On May 26, the Department published a notice in the Federal Register announcing its intention to establish negotiated rulemaking committees to prepare regulations under Title IV of the Higher Education Act (HEA). The agency intends to convene one committee to develop proposed regulations governing foreign schools. The agency also intends to convene at least one committee to develop proposed regulations to maintain or improve integrity within Title IV programs. The notice also announced three public meetings where interested parties may suggest other issues that should be duly considered for action by the committees: June 15 in Denver, June 18 in Little Rock, Arkansas, and June 22 in Philadelphia. In addition, on the day following each meeting, the Department will conduct two forums -- concurrently -- at the same location. One forum will focus on approaches to the agency's financial aid communications and processes (including the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA) that could wholly improve college planning, preparation, and access. The other forum will focus on ways that federal higher education programs could play a stronger role in fostering student educational persistence and degree attainment. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/policy/highered/reg/hearulemaking/2009/negreg-summerfall.html. (Note: Recently, Deputy Undersecretary Robert Shireman held a conference call with analysts and investors who monitor the career college and education industry to discuss the purpose and nature of these committees. To hear a replay of this discussion, call 1-800-945-7621. This replay will be available until June 30.)
Also: Making higher education more accessible and more affordable was the topic of the May edition of the "Education News Parents Can Use" broadcast. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.connectlive.com/events/ednews/20090519.html.
______________________________________________________________________
GRANTS FOR DISPLACED WORKERS
Yesterday (June 4), Secretary Duncan visited Milwaukee Area Technical College in Wisconsin and announced a $7 million competitive grant to establish innovative and sustainable community college programs that prepare displaced workers -- especially autoworkers -- for second careers. "Education is the catalyst for a strong economy and the means by which adults will reinvent themselves and rebuild the industrial cities that have been the foundation of our nation," he said. "The Obama Administration is committed to supporting auto communities and workers who have been displaced from their jobs, and community colleges are invaluable resources for adults seeking to acquire new skills that are needed by employers." The programs could provide critical services, including academic and career counseling and tutoring, and help with the registration process. They could also remove financial constraints for adults returning to school, such as textbooks, child care, and transportation. All programs must be sustainable beyond the three-year grant period. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2009/06/06042009.html.
Also: Last week, at a meeting of the Middle Class Task Force, the Secretary announced the Department's participation in a new federal partnership to foster job growth for a new green economy. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/middle-class-task-force-announces-agency-partnerships-to-build-a-strong-middle-class-through-a-green-economy/.
______________________________________________________________________
IDEA DETERMINATION LETTERS
As required by law, the Department has issued determination letters regarding states' implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Each state was evaluated on key indicators under Part B (ages 3 through 21) and Part C (infants through age 2) and placed into one of four categories: meets requirements, needs assistance, needs intervention, and needs substantial intervention. Staff carefully considered states' Annual Performance Reports, information obtained through monitoring visits, and other records. Most states fell into the top two categories; 30 states met requirements for Part B, and 26 states met requirements for Part C. No states were in needs substantial intervention on either part. For states in the lower categories, the IDEA identifies technical assistance or actions which the agency must take under specific circumstances. The agency works with states that need assistance or intervention using its network of technical assistance centers. New determination letters are issued annually. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/policy/speced/guid/idea/monitor/factsheet09.html.
______________________________________________________________________
CONDITION OF EDUCATION 2009
On May 28, the Department's National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) released its annual report (also required by law) on the condition of education in the U.S.. "The Condition of Education 2009" includes 46 indicators in five major areas -- participation in education, learner outcomes, student effort and educational progress, elementary and secondary education contexts, and postsecondary education contexts. (This summer, NCES will release a special analysis on international assessments.) Among the findings: in 2005-06, three-quarters of the 2002-03 freshman class graduated from high school with a regular diploma; the rate of college enrollment immediately after high school increased from 49% in 1972 to 67% by 1997 but has since fluctuated between 62% and 69%; and 58% of first-time students attending college full-time in 2000-01 completed a bachelor's degree or its equivalent at that institution within six years. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/. (Note: A statement by Secretary Duncan on the report is available at http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2009/05/05282009b.html.)
______________________________________________________________________
ODDS AND ENDS
Congressional testimony related to the President's budget: Deputy Undersecretary Shireman (May 21 -- http://www.ed.gov/news/speeches/2009/05/05212009.html), Secretary Duncan (June 3 -- http://www.ed.gov/news/speeches/2009/06/06032009.html), and Assistant Deputy Secretary for Innovation and Improvement Jim Shelton (June 4 -- http://www.ed.gov/news/speeches/2009/06/06042009.html).
In a May 29 letter, the Secretary informed Chief State School Officers about the authorization of Qualified School Construction Bonds (QSCBs) and Build America Bonds (BABs) and the extension of existing Qualified Zone Academy Bonds (QZABs). The authorizations offer federal subsidies for public school improvement and modernization activities. Both QSCBs and BABs provide funding for new construction, as well as repairs and renovation; QZABs provide funding for repairs, renovations, and certain other actions but may not be used for new construction. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/secletter/090529.html.
This week, the Secretary announced the appointment of William Taggart as Chief Operating Officer of the Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA). Taggart has more than 24 years of business management experience with Fortune 50 companies. The President's budget would greatly expand federal student aid; in 2010, FSA would administer more than $129 billion in new grants, loans, and work-study assistance (a 32% increase over the amount available in 2008) to help nearly 14 million students and their families pay for college. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2009/06/06012009b.html.
The Department has compiled, and continues to update, a list of political appointees to the agency at http://www.ed.gov/news/staff/update.html.
The Department has also compiled, and continues to update, early childhood education programs and resources at http://www.ed.gov/parents/earlychild/ready/resources.html.
______________________________________________________________________
QUOTE TO NOTE
"If you look on our web site, you will see that, as part of Recovery Act guidance, we have posted a list of almost 13,000 schools that are identified for improvement during the current school year. That number is up by more than 1,000 schools, or 9%, from the previous year. And more than one-third of these schools, or almost 5,000 schools, currently are in restructuring status -- the final stage of improvement for chronically under-performing schools that demands fundamental changes in instruction and governance to break the cycle of educational failure."
-- Secretary of Education Arne Duncan (6/3/09), testifying on the President's FY 2010 budget request
______________________________________________________________________
UPCOMING EVENTS
On a weekly basis, the Secretary's public schedule is posted online at http://www.ed.gov/news/events/calendars/secschedule.html.
On June 15, at 10:00 a.m. ET, NCES will release results of the 2008 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) in music and visual arts. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/arts/.
The next "Education News Parents Can Use" broadcast, on summer learning, is scheduled for June 16 (8:00-9:00 p.m. ET). FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/edtv/.
______________________________________________________________________
Please feel free to contact the Office of Communications and Outreach with any questions:
Director -- Stacey Jordan, (202) 401-0026, mailto:Stacey.Jordan@ed.gov
Program Analyst -- Adam Honeysett, (202) 401-3003, mailto:Adam.Honeysett@ed.gov
To be added or removed from distribution, or submit comments (we welcome your feedback!),
contact Adam Honeysett. Or, visit http://www.ed.gov/news/newsletters/edreview/.
This newsletter contains hypertext links to information created and maintained by other public and private organizations. These links are provided for the user's convenience. The U.S. Department of Education does not control or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of this outside information. Furthermore, the inclusion of links is not intended to reflect their importance, nor is it intended to endorse any views expressed, or products or services offered, on these sites, or the organizations sponsoring the sites.
Friday, June 5, 2009
National Telecommunications Cooperative Association
Volume 41, No.22/June 4, 2009
In this issue:
NTCA Files Comments on Towers, Antennas & Migratory Birds
USAC Releases Q3 Contribution Factor
Obama Plans to Renominate McDowell to FCC
Notes in the News
NTCA FILES COMMENTS ON TOWERS, ANTENNAS & MIGRATORY BIRDS
NTCA filed comments with the FCC May 29 in response to the commission's call=
for input on an April 14, 2009, petition filed by the American Bird Conserv=
ancy, Defenders of Wildlife and the National Audubon Society. The petition s=
eeks new regulations to help curb negative affects on bird populations from=
collision with wireless towers and antennas. The association urged the comm=
ission to wait until it has more and better data to make any decisions.
The petition asked that the commission:
1. Amend FCC rules in accordance with the Council of Environmental Quality's=
guidance and exclude from regulation only those FCC actions that have "no s=
ignificant environmental effects individually or cumulatively."
2. Prepare a programwide environmental impact statement (EIS) that would exa=
mine bird impacts on tower registration procedures.
3. Create rules that require the FCC, tower registrants and others to comply=
with the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
4. Consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on tower and antenna regi=
stration.
5. Create rules designed to reduce migratory bird deaths as part of the FCC'=
s ongoing 2006 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (2006 NPRM) proceeding.
In response to the petition, NTCA asked that the commission consider that ne=
w regulations for tower and antenna siting and lighting will have a negative=
impact on the association's small wireless providers and, ultimately, on th=
eir rural customers. New regulations would increase the costs of providing s=
ervices. Some of the suggested changes could prove to be very costly to smal=
l providers and would have no assurance of effectiveness. In addition, the a=
ssociation recommended that before the commission adopts any new regulations=
in this matter, it should carefully examine the data used to assert mass bi=
rd kills by tower collision. In previous filings, NTCA and other groups have=
pointed to problems with the scientific validity of the data being used, an=
d have urged the commission to scrutinize the data to ensure decisions are b=
ased on sound statistical analysis [Washington Report, April 26, 2007].
NTCA also suggested that the commission should consider the human visual imp=
acts of the petitioners' proposed white strobing lights. The strobing lights=
would be intended to help birds avoid collision with the towers, but the as=
sociation pointed out that this solution may be very disruptive to people li=
ving nearby and may also conflict with local zoning ordinances. The associat=
ion urged that the commission wait to make any changes to existing regulatio=
ns until the Federal Aviation Administration complete its aviation safety co=
nspicuity studies on the proposed lighting systems.
Lastly, the association recommended that if the commission adopts any new re=
gulations, it should allow small, rural wireless providers a reasonable impl=
ementation time frame and waiver procedures.
For the full text of NTCA's comments, visit www.ntca.org.
-- Dorie Pickle, 703-351-2035
-- dpickle@ntca.org
USAC RELEASES Q3 CONTRIBUTION FACTOR
The Universal Service Administrative Co. has released its projected Universa=
l Service Fund (USF) revenue base for the third quarter. The projected reven=
ue base is $18.033 billion.
This increased revenue base will create a projected USF demand of $2.03 bill=
ion, which will raise the contribution factor for the third quarter of 2009=
to 12.9%. The contribution factor from the second quarter was 11.3%. This w=
ill be the largest contribution factor in the history of the fund. Contribut=
ions to the federal universal service support mechanisms are determined usin=
g a quarterly contribution factor calculated by the FCC. Quarterly contribut=
ion factors are calculated based on the ratio of total projected quarterly c=
osts of the universal service support mechanisms to contributors' total proj=
ected collected end-user interstate and international telecommunications rev=
enues, net of projected contributions.
Industry analysts attribute the increase in the factor to a combination of t=
he highest quarterly demand with the lowest projected revenue base in a coup=
le of years.
The FCC has yet to publish the proposed factor.
For more information, visit www.universalservice.org.
-- Dorie Pickle, 703-351-2035
-- dpickle@ntca.org
OBAMA PLANS TO RENOMINATE MCDOWELL TO FCC
President Barack Obama announced on June 2 his intention to nominate FCC Com=
missioner Robert M. McDowell to a second term. McDowell was originally nomin=
ated to the commission by former President George W. Bush in February 2006.=
His term was set to expire June 30.
Before joining the FCC in 2006, McDowell was general counsel of COMPTEL, an=
association of competitive telecom service providers. He has served on the=
North American Numbering Council (NANC) and on the board of directors of No=
rth American Numbering Plan Billing and Collection Inc. McDowell holds degre=
es from Duke University and the Marshall-Wythe School of Law at the College=
of William and Mary.
Upon hearing news of the renomination, FCC Commissioner Jonathan S. Adelstei=
n, who is slated to head up the Rural Utilities Service, stated, "Rob's hard=
work and outstanding performance as commissioner for the past three years m=
erit this renomination. A thoughtful and conscientious public servant, Rob s=
trives tirelessly to be knowledgeable about the granular details of all the=
issues that come before the commission and to be fair to all interested par=
ties representing views across the spectrum. He has earned a reputation for=
having the utmost integrity, demonstrating collegiality during very challen=
ging times, and adhering to the rule of law-all the hallmarks of excellence=
for this position."
In addition, Acting Chairman Michael J. Copps offered his congratulations to=
the commissioner, stating, "I am truly delighted that he will continue on a=
s a fellow commissioner. Since becoming acting chairman several months ago,=
I appreciate more than ever Rob's collegiality, his openness, his creative=
intellect and the deep sense of purpose he brings to his work."
Assuming that he is confirmed by the Senate, McDowell will serve as one of t=
wo Republicans on the commission. Meredith A. Baker, former acting administr=
ator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, is e=
xpected to be nominated for the other Republican seat, however no official a=
nnouncement has been made.
Julius Genachowski has been nominated to serve as the next chairman of the c=
ommission, and Mignon Clyburn of the South Carolina Public Service Commissio=
n is to be nominated for the other Democratic seat. The Senate Commerce, Sci=
ence and Transportation Committee has yet to schedule their nomination heari=
ngs.
-- Dorie Pickle, 703-351-2035
-- dpickle@ntca.org
NOTES IN THE NEWS
NTCA's regulatory staff this week held several ex parte meetings with FCC co=
mmissioners and their staff. The association discussed jurisdictional separa=
tions, rural health care support and the most recent petition relating to bi=
rd deaths and wireless towers (see related story in this issue). For copies=
of the association's ex parte letters that cover the issues discussed in th=
e meetings, visit www.ntca.org.
The FCC on June 3 held its monthly open meeting. The meeting focused on the=
DTV transition, which is set to take place June 12. During the meeting, exp=
erts from inside the commission and from other groups including NTIA, the Na=
tional Association of Broadcasters and the National Cable & Telecommunicatio=
ns Association reviewed the status of the transition and efforts to educate=
consumers. In addition, the FCC released a statement June 2 announcing its=
final push for the transition. For more information, visit www.dtv.gov or w=
ww.fcc.gov.
PLEASE NOTE: This electronic publication is copyrighted by the National Tele=
communications Cooperative Association. Redistribution or retransmission of=
any part of this electronic publication-either internally or externally-is=
strictly prohibited. Violation will be cause for immediate termination of y=
our subscription and liability for damages. Federal copyright law prohibits=
duplication or reproduction in any form, including electronic, without perm=
ission of the publisher. You may print out one hard copy for your personal u=
se.
Washington Report is published weekly by the
National Telecommunications Cooperative Association
(NTCA), 703-351-2000; Web site: www.ntca.org
e-mail: communications@ntca.org
Subscriptions: $85, NTCA members; $250, nonmembers.
Editors: Tennille Shields and Christian Hamaker
Graphic Design: Shari Auckerman
=A92009 National Telecommunications Cooperative Association
4121 Wilson Boulevard, Tenth Floor
Arlington, VA 22203
You are receiving this e-mail because of your
business relationship with NTCA. To stop
receiving from this feature, please reply with the
word REMOVE in the subject line.
4121 Wilson Boulevard, Tenth Floor=0A=
Arlington, Virginia 22203=0A=
=0A=
If you no longer wish to receive e-mail from NTCA, please reply to this mess=
age with the word "remove" in the subject line.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All attachments to this message are listed below.
Click on the name of any of the attachments to download them.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NTCAWashingtonReport060409.pdf
In this issue:
NTCA Files Comments on Towers, Antennas & Migratory Birds
USAC Releases Q3 Contribution Factor
Obama Plans to Renominate McDowell to FCC
Notes in the News
NTCA FILES COMMENTS ON TOWERS, ANTENNAS & MIGRATORY BIRDS
NTCA filed comments with the FCC May 29 in response to the commission's call=
for input on an April 14, 2009, petition filed by the American Bird Conserv=
ancy, Defenders of Wildlife and the National Audubon Society. The petition s=
eeks new regulations to help curb negative affects on bird populations from=
collision with wireless towers and antennas. The association urged the comm=
ission to wait until it has more and better data to make any decisions.
The petition asked that the commission:
1. Amend FCC rules in accordance with the Council of Environmental Quality's=
guidance and exclude from regulation only those FCC actions that have "no s=
ignificant environmental effects individually or cumulatively."
2. Prepare a programwide environmental impact statement (EIS) that would exa=
mine bird impacts on tower registration procedures.
3. Create rules that require the FCC, tower registrants and others to comply=
with the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
4. Consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on tower and antenna regi=
stration.
5. Create rules designed to reduce migratory bird deaths as part of the FCC'=
s ongoing 2006 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (2006 NPRM) proceeding.
In response to the petition, NTCA asked that the commission consider that ne=
w regulations for tower and antenna siting and lighting will have a negative=
impact on the association's small wireless providers and, ultimately, on th=
eir rural customers. New regulations would increase the costs of providing s=
ervices. Some of the suggested changes could prove to be very costly to smal=
l providers and would have no assurance of effectiveness. In addition, the a=
ssociation recommended that before the commission adopts any new regulations=
in this matter, it should carefully examine the data used to assert mass bi=
rd kills by tower collision. In previous filings, NTCA and other groups have=
pointed to problems with the scientific validity of the data being used, an=
d have urged the commission to scrutinize the data to ensure decisions are b=
ased on sound statistical analysis [Washington Report, April 26, 2007].
NTCA also suggested that the commission should consider the human visual imp=
acts of the petitioners' proposed white strobing lights. The strobing lights=
would be intended to help birds avoid collision with the towers, but the as=
sociation pointed out that this solution may be very disruptive to people li=
ving nearby and may also conflict with local zoning ordinances. The associat=
ion urged that the commission wait to make any changes to existing regulatio=
ns until the Federal Aviation Administration complete its aviation safety co=
nspicuity studies on the proposed lighting systems.
Lastly, the association recommended that if the commission adopts any new re=
gulations, it should allow small, rural wireless providers a reasonable impl=
ementation time frame and waiver procedures.
For the full text of NTCA's comments, visit www.ntca.org.
-- Dorie Pickle, 703-351-2035
-- dpickle@ntca.org
USAC RELEASES Q3 CONTRIBUTION FACTOR
The Universal Service Administrative Co. has released its projected Universa=
l Service Fund (USF) revenue base for the third quarter. The projected reven=
ue base is $18.033 billion.
This increased revenue base will create a projected USF demand of $2.03 bill=
ion, which will raise the contribution factor for the third quarter of 2009=
to 12.9%. The contribution factor from the second quarter was 11.3%. This w=
ill be the largest contribution factor in the history of the fund. Contribut=
ions to the federal universal service support mechanisms are determined usin=
g a quarterly contribution factor calculated by the FCC. Quarterly contribut=
ion factors are calculated based on the ratio of total projected quarterly c=
osts of the universal service support mechanisms to contributors' total proj=
ected collected end-user interstate and international telecommunications rev=
enues, net of projected contributions.
Industry analysts attribute the increase in the factor to a combination of t=
he highest quarterly demand with the lowest projected revenue base in a coup=
le of years.
The FCC has yet to publish the proposed factor.
For more information, visit www.universalservice.org.
-- Dorie Pickle, 703-351-2035
-- dpickle@ntca.org
OBAMA PLANS TO RENOMINATE MCDOWELL TO FCC
President Barack Obama announced on June 2 his intention to nominate FCC Com=
missioner Robert M. McDowell to a second term. McDowell was originally nomin=
ated to the commission by former President George W. Bush in February 2006.=
His term was set to expire June 30.
Before joining the FCC in 2006, McDowell was general counsel of COMPTEL, an=
association of competitive telecom service providers. He has served on the=
North American Numbering Council (NANC) and on the board of directors of No=
rth American Numbering Plan Billing and Collection Inc. McDowell holds degre=
es from Duke University and the Marshall-Wythe School of Law at the College=
of William and Mary.
Upon hearing news of the renomination, FCC Commissioner Jonathan S. Adelstei=
n, who is slated to head up the Rural Utilities Service, stated, "Rob's hard=
work and outstanding performance as commissioner for the past three years m=
erit this renomination. A thoughtful and conscientious public servant, Rob s=
trives tirelessly to be knowledgeable about the granular details of all the=
issues that come before the commission and to be fair to all interested par=
ties representing views across the spectrum. He has earned a reputation for=
having the utmost integrity, demonstrating collegiality during very challen=
ging times, and adhering to the rule of law-all the hallmarks of excellence=
for this position."
In addition, Acting Chairman Michael J. Copps offered his congratulations to=
the commissioner, stating, "I am truly delighted that he will continue on a=
s a fellow commissioner. Since becoming acting chairman several months ago,=
I appreciate more than ever Rob's collegiality, his openness, his creative=
intellect and the deep sense of purpose he brings to his work."
Assuming that he is confirmed by the Senate, McDowell will serve as one of t=
wo Republicans on the commission. Meredith A. Baker, former acting administr=
ator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, is e=
xpected to be nominated for the other Republican seat, however no official a=
nnouncement has been made.
Julius Genachowski has been nominated to serve as the next chairman of the c=
ommission, and Mignon Clyburn of the South Carolina Public Service Commissio=
n is to be nominated for the other Democratic seat. The Senate Commerce, Sci=
ence and Transportation Committee has yet to schedule their nomination heari=
ngs.
-- Dorie Pickle, 703-351-2035
-- dpickle@ntca.org
NOTES IN THE NEWS
NTCA's regulatory staff this week held several ex parte meetings with FCC co=
mmissioners and their staff. The association discussed jurisdictional separa=
tions, rural health care support and the most recent petition relating to bi=
rd deaths and wireless towers (see related story in this issue). For copies=
of the association's ex parte letters that cover the issues discussed in th=
e meetings, visit www.ntca.org.
The FCC on June 3 held its monthly open meeting. The meeting focused on the=
DTV transition, which is set to take place June 12. During the meeting, exp=
erts from inside the commission and from other groups including NTIA, the Na=
tional Association of Broadcasters and the National Cable & Telecommunicatio=
ns Association reviewed the status of the transition and efforts to educate=
consumers. In addition, the FCC released a statement June 2 announcing its=
final push for the transition. For more information, visit www.dtv.gov or w=
ww.fcc.gov.
PLEASE NOTE: This electronic publication is copyrighted by the National Tele=
communications Cooperative Association. Redistribution or retransmission of=
any part of this electronic publication-either internally or externally-is=
strictly prohibited. Violation will be cause for immediate termination of y=
our subscription and liability for damages. Federal copyright law prohibits=
duplication or reproduction in any form, including electronic, without perm=
ission of the publisher. You may print out one hard copy for your personal u=
se.
Washington Report is published weekly by the
National Telecommunications Cooperative Association
(NTCA), 703-351-2000; Web site: www.ntca.org
e-mail: communications@ntca.org
Subscriptions: $85, NTCA members; $250, nonmembers.
Editors: Tennille Shields and Christian Hamaker
Graphic Design: Shari Auckerman
=A92009 National Telecommunications Cooperative Association
4121 Wilson Boulevard, Tenth Floor
Arlington, VA 22203
You are receiving this e-mail because of your
business relationship with NTCA. To stop
receiving from this feature, please reply with the
word REMOVE in the subject line.
4121 Wilson Boulevard, Tenth Floor=0A=
Arlington, Virginia 22203=0A=
=0A=
If you no longer wish to receive e-mail from NTCA, please reply to this mess=
age with the word "remove" in the subject line.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All attachments to this message are listed below.
Click on the name of any of the attachments to download them.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NTCAWashingtonReport060409.pdf
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Medicare Update
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Denver Regional Office The Pulse of CMS
SPRING 2009
As governor, Sebelius expanded Kansas’ newborn screenings, put a renewed emphasis on childhood immunization, and increased eligibility for children’s health coverage. More than 59,000 additional children were enrolled in health coverage during her time in office. Sebelius also worked closely with Kansas first responders and law enforcement to prepare for natural disasters and other emergencies. In 2005, Time magazine named her one of the nation’s top five governors.
Prior to her tenure as governor, Secretary Sebelius spent eight years serving as the Kansas State Insurance Commissioner. In that capacity, Sebelius turned her department into a steadfast advocate for Kansas consumers and helped senior citizens save more than $7 million on prescription drugs. She also won praise for her role in drafting a proposed national bill of rights for patients. Previously, she was a member of the Kansas House of Representatives from 1986-1994.
Secretary Sebelius has been married to Gary, a federal magistrate judge, for 34 years. They have two sons, Ned and John.
Inside this Issue...
Draft Minimum Data Set 3.0 Posted...................2
Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius Sworn In as HHS Secretary
DMEPOS Competitive Bid Program Moving Forward
Kathleen Sebelius was sworn in as the 21st Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on April 29, 2009. The Secretary governs one of the largest civilian departments in the federal government with more than 67,000 employees. HHS is the principal agency for protecting the health of all Americans by providing effective health and human services, especially for those who are least able to help themselves.
Secretary Sebelius has over 20 years of experience in state government and has been a leader on health care issues for over a decade. She was first elected governor of Kansas in 2003 and was reelected in 2006. Throughout her tenure, Sebelius was lauded for her record of bipartisan accomplishment. She worked tirelessly to grow the state’s economy and to create jobs, to ensure that every Kansas child received a quality education, and to improve access to quality and affordable health care.
Quality Across Care Settings Pilot......................2
HIPAA 5010 Resources Available......................2
Payment Incentives to Nursing Homes..............2
RAC Outreach Schedule.....................................3
Payment & Policy Updates for IRFs ..................3
New FQHC Fact Sheet........................................3
Two New CMS Websites....................................3
E-Prescribing Info.................................................4
Expanded PET Scan Coverage.........................4
Observation Care Services.................................4
The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA), enacted on July 15, 2008, made limited changes to the competitive bidding program for Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS), including a requirement that the Secretary conduct a second competition to select suppliers for Round 1 in 2009. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued an interim final rule with comment period (IFC) on January 16, 2009. The rule incorporates into existing regulations specific statutory requirements contained in MIPPA related to the competitive bidding program.
The Administration delayed the effective date for the IFC to allow CMS officials the opportunity for further review of the issues of law and policy raised by the rule. Based upon its review and on the need to ensure that CMS is able to meet the statutory deadlines contained in MIPPA, the Administration has concluded that the effective date should not be further delayed. The rule became effective April 18, 2009. However, there will be no immediate effect on the Medicare DMEPOS benefit, and Medicare beneficiaries may continue to use their current DMEPOS suppliers at this time.
In the upcoming weeks, CMS will be issuing further guidance on the timeline for and bidding requirements related to the Round 1 re-bid. In finalizing these guidelines, CMS will continue to seek input from all affected stakeholders to ensure program implementation consistent with the legislative requirements.
For the most current information about the H1N1, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website. You will find consumer and provider fact sheets, current information, and steps you can take to protect yourself against infection.
At the CDC site you also will be able to download a widget that you can post to your own website to help your membership get the most current and accurate information.
The Pulse of CMS
Page 2
Draft Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 Posted
CMS Announces Pilot Program to Improve Quality Across Care Settings
CMS has announced that 14 communities around the nation have been chosen for the Agency’s Care Transitions Project, seeking to eliminate unnecessary hospital readmissions.
The goal of the Care Transitions Project is to improve health care processes so that patients, their caregivers, and their entire team of providers have what they need to keep patients from returning to the hospital for ongoing care needs. By promoting seamless transitions from the hospital to home, skilled nursing care, or home health care, this community-wide approach seeks not only to reduce hospital readmissions, but also to yield sustainable and replicable strategies that achieve high-value health care for Medicare beneficiaries.
Communities in the following regions have been selected to participate in the project: Providence, R.I.; Upper Capitol Region, N.Y.; Western Pennsylvania; Southwestern New Jersey; Metro Atlanta East, Ga.; Miami; Tuscaloosa, Ala.; Evansville, Ind.; Greater Lansing Area, Mich.; Omaha, Neb.; Baton Rouge, La.; North West Denver, Colo.; Harlingen, Texas; and Whatcom County, Wash. The work of the Care Transitions
Project will respond to the unique needs of each of the 14 communities.
A draft version of the MDS 3.0 item set has been posted. It can be accessed on the CMS website. The final version is still scheduled for publication in October 2009.
Each of the Care Transitions communities is led by a state Quality Improvement Organization (QIO). QIOs work throughout the country as part of CMS’s quality program to help health care providers, consumers and stakeholder groups to refine care delivery systems to make sure all Medicare beneficiaries get the high-quality, high-value health care they deserve.
Please Note: This is a draft version of the item set and should not be used for training purposes. The final version of the item set, data specifications, and Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) manual are scheduled for publication on the MDS 3.0 web page in October 2009. As additional information becomes available, it will be posted on the MDS 3.0 section of the CMS website.
CMS will monitor the success of this project by watching the rates at which patients in these communities return to the hospital. Re-admission rates for hospitals have been tracked by CMS for some time and will be available to consumers later this year through the Hospital Compare Website.
The Care Transitions Project will continue in all 14 communities through summer 2011. For more information about the Care Transitions Project, visit the CMS website. To learn more about the work that QIOs are doing across the country, visit the QIO page of the CMS website.
Medicare to Test Payment Incentives to Improve Care in Nursing Homes
Medicare officials announced a new, four-state demonstration to determine if cash incentives will improve the quality of care and efficiency of operations in nursing homes. Nursing homes in Arizona, Mississippi, New York, and Wisconsin will be asked to participate.
The implementation of HIPAA 5010 presents substantial changes in the content of the data which providers submit with their claims as well as the data available to them in response to their electronic inquiries. The Special Edition MLN Matters article alerts providers of these HIPAA changes and how they need to plan for their implementation.
CMS will host a national education conference call on June 9, 2009 from 2:30-4:30 PM ET to address the implementation of HIPAA Version 5010. This call is being conducted for all Medicare fee-for-service providers. The call will give a general overview of the transition to HIPAA Version 5010 and address some of the exceptions and situations you may encounter as the new version is implemented. A presentation will be given and CMS subject matter experts will be available to answer questions. A PowerPoint presentation will be posted on the CMS 5010 Webpage prior to the call.
Facilities joining the Nursing Home Value-Based Purchasing demonstration will be awarded points for performance on quality measures in four areas: nurse staffing, avoidable hospitalizations, resident outcomes, and the scope and severity of deficiency citations the home has received during inspections. Nursing homes with the highest scores or the greatest improvement in their score will be eligible for a performance payment.
Savings generated by improved performance, such as reducing the number of avoidable hospitalizations, will fund state pools from which
payments will be made to qualified nursing homes.
Nursing homes wishing to participate in the demonstration will be randomly assigned to a demonstration group or a comparison group. Medicare officials anticipate that at least 100 nursing facilities in each state will apply to be part of this demonstration. The demonstration is expected to run from July 2009 through June 2012, at which time its effectiveness will be evaluated to inform possible changes to Medicare payment policy.
CMS will mail an application kit to each Medicare-certified nursing home in the demonstration states.
In order to receive the call-in information, you must register for the call. It is important to note that if you are planning to sit in with a group, only one person needs to register to receive the call-in data. This registration is solely to reserve a phone line, NOT to allow participation. If you cannot attend the call, replay information will be available.
Registration will close at 2:30 p.m. ET on June 8, 2009, or when available space has been filled. No exceptions will be made, so please be sure to register prior to this time.
To register for the call, participants need to go to the CMS events registration page.
HIPAA 5010 Resources Available
The Pulse of CMS
Page 3
CMS issued a proposed rule on April 28, 2009 that would update payment rates and clarify the framework for Medicare patient selection and care in inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs) during fiscal year (FY) 2010. The proposed rule would apply to more than 200 freestanding IRFs and over 1,000 IRF units in acute care hospitals, and would be effective for discharges occurring on or after October 1, 2009.
The proposed rule's patient selection and care provisions are intended to ensure that Medicare beneficiaries who need the intensive rehabilitation services provided in IRFs continue to have access to high quality care. In addition to the proposed rule, CMS is posting draft revisions to the Medicare Benefit Policy Manual (MBPM) for public comment. This draft provides detailed policy guidance regarding the selection of patients for admission to IRFs, as well as the development and implementation of individual treatment plans.
Comments on the draft MBPM revisions may be submitted through a link that will be supplied on the CMS website, rather than through the www.regulations.gov site used for the submission of comments on proposed regulatory language. CMS intends to issue final updated MBPM policies concurrently with the issuance of the final IRF prospective payment system (PPS) rule.
The proposed revisions would clarify requirements for preadmission screening to determine whether a patient should receive rehabilitation services in an IRF or in another, less-intensive setting, post-admission treatment planning, and ongoing care coordination throughout the inpatient stay.
Since 2002, Medicare has paid rehabilitation hospitals and rehabilitation units in acute care hospitals for inpatient stays under the IRF PPS. The payment rates set by the IRF PPS for rehabilitation therapy services are higher than would be paid for services in other settings. This is because these patients have more severe and more complex medical conditions that need more intensive and coordinated rehabilitation services.
To be paid under the IRF PPS, each facility must demonstrate on an annual basis that at least 60 percent of its total patient population had either a principal or secondary diagnosis that falls within one or more of the qualifying conditions designated in the regulations governing IRFs, commonly referred to as “the 60 Percent Rule.” CMS is also proposing to require submission of IRF patient assessment data on Medicare Advantage patients in IRFs as well.
In other provisions, CMS projects that the payment rate update for IRFs will be 2.4 percent in FY 2010, based on the Rehabilitation, Psychiatric, and Long-term Care (RPL) market basket, and that, if finalized as proposed, the market basket update would increase total payments to IRFs in FY 2010 by $140 million. Also, CMS is proposing to set the outlier threshold for FY 2010 at $9,976, which would increase overall IRF payments by an additional $10 million. The total increase in IRF payments under this proposed rule is $150 million.
CMS will accept comments on the proposed rule until June 29, 2009, and will address all comments in a final rule to be issued by August 1, 2009.
The proposed rule went on display on April 28, 2009 at the Office of the Federal Register’s Public Inspection Desk and will be available under “Special Filings” on the Federal Register website.
For more information, including information about how to submit comments on the draft MBPM provisions, visit the CMS website.
CMS Proposes Payment and Policy Updates for Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities
Outreach Schedule for Recovery Audit Contractors Available
CMS has posted the outreach schedule for the Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) program. The schedule is arranged according to the four regional jurisdictions which have been established to implement the full RAC program. Additional events will be added to this list and posted on the CMS website as they are confirmed. The schedule of the events can be viewed on the RAC page of the CMS website. A map of the jurisdictions and general implementation timeline also can be view on the RAC page.
New Fact Sheet Available for FQHCs
The revised Federally Qualified Health Center Fact Sheet (April 2009), which provides information about Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) designation; covered FQHC services; FQHC preventive primary services that are not covered; FQHC payments; and the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 is now available to download from the CMS website at Medicare Learning Network website.
Provider Outreach Staff:
Ceilly Robl Phone: (303) 844-4861
E-mail your questions and comments to us at:
PulseofDenverRO@cms.hhs.gov
Economic Recovery Act of 2009
Stop Medicare and Medicaid Fraud
The Pulse of CMS
Page 4
E-Prescribing Update: New Internet Content
CMS has issued a final national coverage determination (NCD) to expand coverage for initial testing with positron emission tomography (PET) for Medicare beneficiaries who are diagnosed with and treated for most solid tumor cancers. This NCD removes a clinical study requirement for PET scan use in these patients.
Since 2005, Medicare coverage of PET scans for diagnosing some forms of cancer and guiding treatment has been tied to a requirement that providers collect clinical information about how the scans have affected doctors’ treatment decisions. This information was gathered through the National Oncologic PET Registry (NOPR) observational study. This NCD removes the requirement to report data to the NOPR when the PET scan is used to support initial treatment (or diagnosis and “staging”) of most solid tumor cancers.
This decision applies to PET scans used to support initial diagnosis and treatment for most types of solid tumor cancers. It also expands coverage of PET scans for subsequent follow up testing in beneficiaries who have cervical or ovarian cancer, or who are being treated for myeloma, a cancer that affects white blood cells. For these cancers, NOPR data collection will no longer be required.
Information Disclaimer: The information provided in this newsletter is intended only to be general summary information to the Region VIII provider community. It is not intended to take the place of either the written law or regulations.
Links to Other Resources: Our newsletter may link to other federal agencies. You are subject to those sites’ privacy policies. Reference in this newsletter to any specific commercial products, process, service, manufacturer, or company does not constitute its endorsement or recommendation by the U.S. government, HHS or CMS. HHS or CMS is not responsible for the contents of any “off-site” resource identified.
It is important to note that this decision still requires clinicians to report data to the NOPR when using PET scans to monitor the progress of treatment or remission of cancer in some cases. Although the evidence generated by the NOPR study helped CMS determine that PET scans are useful in helping guide treatment when cancer is first diagnosed, scientific evidence is not as strong in showing that PET scans are as useful in making subsequent treatment decisions for some types of cancer.
More information about the types of cancer covered by this new policy is available in CMS’ final decision memorandum. Read the final decision on the CMS Website.
Medicare Expands Coverage of PET Scans as a Cancer Diagnostic Tool CMS is pleased to announce that two new section pages have been created on the 2009 Electronic Prescribing (E-Prescribing) Incentive Program web page on the CMS website.
E-Prescribing Measure Section page: This page contains several resources including: Measure Specifications, new Claims-Based Reporting Principles, and a Sample E-Prescribing Claim. To access these resources, visit http://www.cms.hhs.gov/ERxIncentive/06_E-Prescribing_Measure.asp on the CMS website. Educational Resources Section page: This page contains MLN Matters articles, E-Prescribing Incentive Program fact sheets, a link to Medicare’s Practical Guide to the E-Prescribing Incentive Program, and information on how to receive continuing education credit related to the E-Prescribing Incentive Program. To access these resources and information, visit http://www.cms.hhs.gov/ERxIncentive/09_Educational_Resources.asp on the CMS website.
New and updated information will continually be added, so please visit the E-Prescribing Incentive Program web page on the CMS website on a frequent basis.
Observation care services provided in a hospital emergency room must be reasonable and necessary to be covered by Medicare. In most cases, the decision by the admitting physician (and the care team) to discharge a patient following resolution of the reason for the observation care or to admit the beneficiary as an inpatient can be made in less than 48 hours. In only rare and exceptional cases do reasonable and necessary outpatient observation services span more than 48 hours.
The appropriate physician must be diligent and complete the order for admission based on the clinical assessment, or document the need for outpatient services prior to the patient leaving the hospital. Communication with the patient and their family concerning these decisions and assuring that the appropriate documentation has been completed is necessary so post-acute care Medicare benefits in a skilled nursing facility (SNF) can be secured if medically necessary. In the rare and exceptional cases that span three or more days, and no inpatient admission order is completed, this exception must be properly communicated to the patient and their family so they are aware that the potential 100 day SNF benefit will not be available.
For further information concerning outpatient observation services, please review the CMS Publication 100-04, Medicare Claims Processing Manual, Chapter 4, Section 290 or access the link on the CMS Manuals website. Denver Regional Office:
1600 Broadway
Suite 700
Denver, CO 80202
Phone: 303-844-2111
Fax: 303-844-3753
Email: PulseofDenverRO@cms.hhs.gov
SPRING 2009
As governor, Sebelius expanded Kansas’ newborn screenings, put a renewed emphasis on childhood immunization, and increased eligibility for children’s health coverage. More than 59,000 additional children were enrolled in health coverage during her time in office. Sebelius also worked closely with Kansas first responders and law enforcement to prepare for natural disasters and other emergencies. In 2005, Time magazine named her one of the nation’s top five governors.
Prior to her tenure as governor, Secretary Sebelius spent eight years serving as the Kansas State Insurance Commissioner. In that capacity, Sebelius turned her department into a steadfast advocate for Kansas consumers and helped senior citizens save more than $7 million on prescription drugs. She also won praise for her role in drafting a proposed national bill of rights for patients. Previously, she was a member of the Kansas House of Representatives from 1986-1994.
Secretary Sebelius has been married to Gary, a federal magistrate judge, for 34 years. They have two sons, Ned and John.
Inside this Issue...
Draft Minimum Data Set 3.0 Posted...................2
Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius Sworn In as HHS Secretary
DMEPOS Competitive Bid Program Moving Forward
Kathleen Sebelius was sworn in as the 21st Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on April 29, 2009. The Secretary governs one of the largest civilian departments in the federal government with more than 67,000 employees. HHS is the principal agency for protecting the health of all Americans by providing effective health and human services, especially for those who are least able to help themselves.
Secretary Sebelius has over 20 years of experience in state government and has been a leader on health care issues for over a decade. She was first elected governor of Kansas in 2003 and was reelected in 2006. Throughout her tenure, Sebelius was lauded for her record of bipartisan accomplishment. She worked tirelessly to grow the state’s economy and to create jobs, to ensure that every Kansas child received a quality education, and to improve access to quality and affordable health care.
Quality Across Care Settings Pilot......................2
HIPAA 5010 Resources Available......................2
Payment Incentives to Nursing Homes..............2
RAC Outreach Schedule.....................................3
Payment & Policy Updates for IRFs ..................3
New FQHC Fact Sheet........................................3
Two New CMS Websites....................................3
E-Prescribing Info.................................................4
Expanded PET Scan Coverage.........................4
Observation Care Services.................................4
The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA), enacted on July 15, 2008, made limited changes to the competitive bidding program for Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS), including a requirement that the Secretary conduct a second competition to select suppliers for Round 1 in 2009. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued an interim final rule with comment period (IFC) on January 16, 2009. The rule incorporates into existing regulations specific statutory requirements contained in MIPPA related to the competitive bidding program.
The Administration delayed the effective date for the IFC to allow CMS officials the opportunity for further review of the issues of law and policy raised by the rule. Based upon its review and on the need to ensure that CMS is able to meet the statutory deadlines contained in MIPPA, the Administration has concluded that the effective date should not be further delayed. The rule became effective April 18, 2009. However, there will be no immediate effect on the Medicare DMEPOS benefit, and Medicare beneficiaries may continue to use their current DMEPOS suppliers at this time.
In the upcoming weeks, CMS will be issuing further guidance on the timeline for and bidding requirements related to the Round 1 re-bid. In finalizing these guidelines, CMS will continue to seek input from all affected stakeholders to ensure program implementation consistent with the legislative requirements.
For the most current information about the H1N1, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website. You will find consumer and provider fact sheets, current information, and steps you can take to protect yourself against infection.
At the CDC site you also will be able to download a widget that you can post to your own website to help your membership get the most current and accurate information.
The Pulse of CMS
Page 2
Draft Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 Posted
CMS Announces Pilot Program to Improve Quality Across Care Settings
CMS has announced that 14 communities around the nation have been chosen for the Agency’s Care Transitions Project, seeking to eliminate unnecessary hospital readmissions.
The goal of the Care Transitions Project is to improve health care processes so that patients, their caregivers, and their entire team of providers have what they need to keep patients from returning to the hospital for ongoing care needs. By promoting seamless transitions from the hospital to home, skilled nursing care, or home health care, this community-wide approach seeks not only to reduce hospital readmissions, but also to yield sustainable and replicable strategies that achieve high-value health care for Medicare beneficiaries.
Communities in the following regions have been selected to participate in the project: Providence, R.I.; Upper Capitol Region, N.Y.; Western Pennsylvania; Southwestern New Jersey; Metro Atlanta East, Ga.; Miami; Tuscaloosa, Ala.; Evansville, Ind.; Greater Lansing Area, Mich.; Omaha, Neb.; Baton Rouge, La.; North West Denver, Colo.; Harlingen, Texas; and Whatcom County, Wash. The work of the Care Transitions
Project will respond to the unique needs of each of the 14 communities.
A draft version of the MDS 3.0 item set has been posted. It can be accessed on the CMS website. The final version is still scheduled for publication in October 2009.
Each of the Care Transitions communities is led by a state Quality Improvement Organization (QIO). QIOs work throughout the country as part of CMS’s quality program to help health care providers, consumers and stakeholder groups to refine care delivery systems to make sure all Medicare beneficiaries get the high-quality, high-value health care they deserve.
Please Note: This is a draft version of the item set and should not be used for training purposes. The final version of the item set, data specifications, and Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) manual are scheduled for publication on the MDS 3.0 web page in October 2009. As additional information becomes available, it will be posted on the MDS 3.0 section of the CMS website.
CMS will monitor the success of this project by watching the rates at which patients in these communities return to the hospital. Re-admission rates for hospitals have been tracked by CMS for some time and will be available to consumers later this year through the Hospital Compare Website.
The Care Transitions Project will continue in all 14 communities through summer 2011. For more information about the Care Transitions Project, visit the CMS website. To learn more about the work that QIOs are doing across the country, visit the QIO page of the CMS website.
Medicare to Test Payment Incentives to Improve Care in Nursing Homes
Medicare officials announced a new, four-state demonstration to determine if cash incentives will improve the quality of care and efficiency of operations in nursing homes. Nursing homes in Arizona, Mississippi, New York, and Wisconsin will be asked to participate.
The implementation of HIPAA 5010 presents substantial changes in the content of the data which providers submit with their claims as well as the data available to them in response to their electronic inquiries. The Special Edition MLN Matters article alerts providers of these HIPAA changes and how they need to plan for their implementation.
CMS will host a national education conference call on June 9, 2009 from 2:30-4:30 PM ET to address the implementation of HIPAA Version 5010. This call is being conducted for all Medicare fee-for-service providers. The call will give a general overview of the transition to HIPAA Version 5010 and address some of the exceptions and situations you may encounter as the new version is implemented. A presentation will be given and CMS subject matter experts will be available to answer questions. A PowerPoint presentation will be posted on the CMS 5010 Webpage prior to the call.
Facilities joining the Nursing Home Value-Based Purchasing demonstration will be awarded points for performance on quality measures in four areas: nurse staffing, avoidable hospitalizations, resident outcomes, and the scope and severity of deficiency citations the home has received during inspections. Nursing homes with the highest scores or the greatest improvement in their score will be eligible for a performance payment.
Savings generated by improved performance, such as reducing the number of avoidable hospitalizations, will fund state pools from which
payments will be made to qualified nursing homes.
Nursing homes wishing to participate in the demonstration will be randomly assigned to a demonstration group or a comparison group. Medicare officials anticipate that at least 100 nursing facilities in each state will apply to be part of this demonstration. The demonstration is expected to run from July 2009 through June 2012, at which time its effectiveness will be evaluated to inform possible changes to Medicare payment policy.
CMS will mail an application kit to each Medicare-certified nursing home in the demonstration states.
In order to receive the call-in information, you must register for the call. It is important to note that if you are planning to sit in with a group, only one person needs to register to receive the call-in data. This registration is solely to reserve a phone line, NOT to allow participation. If you cannot attend the call, replay information will be available.
Registration will close at 2:30 p.m. ET on June 8, 2009, or when available space has been filled. No exceptions will be made, so please be sure to register prior to this time.
To register for the call, participants need to go to the CMS events registration page.
HIPAA 5010 Resources Available
The Pulse of CMS
Page 3
CMS issued a proposed rule on April 28, 2009 that would update payment rates and clarify the framework for Medicare patient selection and care in inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs) during fiscal year (FY) 2010. The proposed rule would apply to more than 200 freestanding IRFs and over 1,000 IRF units in acute care hospitals, and would be effective for discharges occurring on or after October 1, 2009.
The proposed rule's patient selection and care provisions are intended to ensure that Medicare beneficiaries who need the intensive rehabilitation services provided in IRFs continue to have access to high quality care. In addition to the proposed rule, CMS is posting draft revisions to the Medicare Benefit Policy Manual (MBPM) for public comment. This draft provides detailed policy guidance regarding the selection of patients for admission to IRFs, as well as the development and implementation of individual treatment plans.
Comments on the draft MBPM revisions may be submitted through a link that will be supplied on the CMS website, rather than through the www.regulations.gov site used for the submission of comments on proposed regulatory language. CMS intends to issue final updated MBPM policies concurrently with the issuance of the final IRF prospective payment system (PPS) rule.
The proposed revisions would clarify requirements for preadmission screening to determine whether a patient should receive rehabilitation services in an IRF or in another, less-intensive setting, post-admission treatment planning, and ongoing care coordination throughout the inpatient stay.
Since 2002, Medicare has paid rehabilitation hospitals and rehabilitation units in acute care hospitals for inpatient stays under the IRF PPS. The payment rates set by the IRF PPS for rehabilitation therapy services are higher than would be paid for services in other settings. This is because these patients have more severe and more complex medical conditions that need more intensive and coordinated rehabilitation services.
To be paid under the IRF PPS, each facility must demonstrate on an annual basis that at least 60 percent of its total patient population had either a principal or secondary diagnosis that falls within one or more of the qualifying conditions designated in the regulations governing IRFs, commonly referred to as “the 60 Percent Rule.” CMS is also proposing to require submission of IRF patient assessment data on Medicare Advantage patients in IRFs as well.
In other provisions, CMS projects that the payment rate update for IRFs will be 2.4 percent in FY 2010, based on the Rehabilitation, Psychiatric, and Long-term Care (RPL) market basket, and that, if finalized as proposed, the market basket update would increase total payments to IRFs in FY 2010 by $140 million. Also, CMS is proposing to set the outlier threshold for FY 2010 at $9,976, which would increase overall IRF payments by an additional $10 million. The total increase in IRF payments under this proposed rule is $150 million.
CMS will accept comments on the proposed rule until June 29, 2009, and will address all comments in a final rule to be issued by August 1, 2009.
The proposed rule went on display on April 28, 2009 at the Office of the Federal Register’s Public Inspection Desk and will be available under “Special Filings” on the Federal Register website.
For more information, including information about how to submit comments on the draft MBPM provisions, visit the CMS website.
CMS Proposes Payment and Policy Updates for Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities
Outreach Schedule for Recovery Audit Contractors Available
CMS has posted the outreach schedule for the Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) program. The schedule is arranged according to the four regional jurisdictions which have been established to implement the full RAC program. Additional events will be added to this list and posted on the CMS website as they are confirmed. The schedule of the events can be viewed on the RAC page of the CMS website. A map of the jurisdictions and general implementation timeline also can be view on the RAC page.
New Fact Sheet Available for FQHCs
The revised Federally Qualified Health Center Fact Sheet (April 2009), which provides information about Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) designation; covered FQHC services; FQHC preventive primary services that are not covered; FQHC payments; and the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 is now available to download from the CMS website at Medicare Learning Network website.
Provider Outreach Staff:
Ceilly Robl Phone: (303) 844-4861
E-mail your questions and comments to us at:
PulseofDenverRO@cms.hhs.gov
Economic Recovery Act of 2009
Stop Medicare and Medicaid Fraud
The Pulse of CMS
Page 4
E-Prescribing Update: New Internet Content
CMS has issued a final national coverage determination (NCD) to expand coverage for initial testing with positron emission tomography (PET) for Medicare beneficiaries who are diagnosed with and treated for most solid tumor cancers. This NCD removes a clinical study requirement for PET scan use in these patients.
Since 2005, Medicare coverage of PET scans for diagnosing some forms of cancer and guiding treatment has been tied to a requirement that providers collect clinical information about how the scans have affected doctors’ treatment decisions. This information was gathered through the National Oncologic PET Registry (NOPR) observational study. This NCD removes the requirement to report data to the NOPR when the PET scan is used to support initial treatment (or diagnosis and “staging”) of most solid tumor cancers.
This decision applies to PET scans used to support initial diagnosis and treatment for most types of solid tumor cancers. It also expands coverage of PET scans for subsequent follow up testing in beneficiaries who have cervical or ovarian cancer, or who are being treated for myeloma, a cancer that affects white blood cells. For these cancers, NOPR data collection will no longer be required.
Information Disclaimer: The information provided in this newsletter is intended only to be general summary information to the Region VIII provider community. It is not intended to take the place of either the written law or regulations.
Links to Other Resources: Our newsletter may link to other federal agencies. You are subject to those sites’ privacy policies. Reference in this newsletter to any specific commercial products, process, service, manufacturer, or company does not constitute its endorsement or recommendation by the U.S. government, HHS or CMS. HHS or CMS is not responsible for the contents of any “off-site” resource identified.
It is important to note that this decision still requires clinicians to report data to the NOPR when using PET scans to monitor the progress of treatment or remission of cancer in some cases. Although the evidence generated by the NOPR study helped CMS determine that PET scans are useful in helping guide treatment when cancer is first diagnosed, scientific evidence is not as strong in showing that PET scans are as useful in making subsequent treatment decisions for some types of cancer.
More information about the types of cancer covered by this new policy is available in CMS’ final decision memorandum. Read the final decision on the CMS Website.
Medicare Expands Coverage of PET Scans as a Cancer Diagnostic Tool CMS is pleased to announce that two new section pages have been created on the 2009 Electronic Prescribing (E-Prescribing) Incentive Program web page on the CMS website.
E-Prescribing Measure Section page: This page contains several resources including: Measure Specifications, new Claims-Based Reporting Principles, and a Sample E-Prescribing Claim. To access these resources, visit http://www.cms.hhs.gov/ERxIncentive/06_E-Prescribing_Measure.asp on the CMS website. Educational Resources Section page: This page contains MLN Matters articles, E-Prescribing Incentive Program fact sheets, a link to Medicare’s Practical Guide to the E-Prescribing Incentive Program, and information on how to receive continuing education credit related to the E-Prescribing Incentive Program. To access these resources and information, visit http://www.cms.hhs.gov/ERxIncentive/09_Educational_Resources.asp on the CMS website.
New and updated information will continually be added, so please visit the E-Prescribing Incentive Program web page on the CMS website on a frequent basis.
Observation care services provided in a hospital emergency room must be reasonable and necessary to be covered by Medicare. In most cases, the decision by the admitting physician (and the care team) to discharge a patient following resolution of the reason for the observation care or to admit the beneficiary as an inpatient can be made in less than 48 hours. In only rare and exceptional cases do reasonable and necessary outpatient observation services span more than 48 hours.
The appropriate physician must be diligent and complete the order for admission based on the clinical assessment, or document the need for outpatient services prior to the patient leaving the hospital. Communication with the patient and their family concerning these decisions and assuring that the appropriate documentation has been completed is necessary so post-acute care Medicare benefits in a skilled nursing facility (SNF) can be secured if medically necessary. In the rare and exceptional cases that span three or more days, and no inpatient admission order is completed, this exception must be properly communicated to the patient and their family so they are aware that the potential 100 day SNF benefit will not be available.
For further information concerning outpatient observation services, please review the CMS Publication 100-04, Medicare Claims Processing Manual, Chapter 4, Section 290 or access the link on the CMS Manuals website. Denver Regional Office:
1600 Broadway
Suite 700
Denver, CO 80202
Phone: 303-844-2111
Fax: 303-844-3753
Email: PulseofDenverRO@cms.hhs.gov
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Teacher Education News
AACTE Weekly News Briefs | June 2, 2009
. . . delivered to your inbox so you can enjoy up-to-date news on colleges of education, teaching and the classroom, legislation, STEM teacher issues, grants, and upcoming events. Please click on linked headlines for full story.
AACTE ANNOUNCEMENTS
AACTE's 5th Annual Day on the Hill
AACTE's 2009 Day on the Hill will take place June 17-18 in Washington, DC. This is AACTE's premier advocacy event! Come to DC to meet with your members of Congress and to tell them about the good work you do. This year's theme is "Innovation and Reform in Teacher Preparation." For more information, please contact Mary Harrill-McClellan at mharrill@aacte.org.
Registration Extended for AACTE's Leadership Academy
The deadline to register for AACTE's new Leadership Academy has been extended to June 19! Two of AACTE's yearly professional development conferences, the Leadership Institute for Department Chairs and the New Deans Institute, will be combined in 2009 to create this exciting educational opportunity. With the goal of sustaining the teacher education profession by providing powerful learning and networking tools, the academy is an essential event for new deans, department chairs, and other educational administrators to attend. This event will take place June 28 - July 3 in St. Louis, Missouri. Click here to view the 2009 Leadership Academy brochure.
FREE Access to Archived Webinar on Closing the Achievement Gap for Children in Foster Care (AACTE webinar)
Access this free webinar anytime through June 30! "Tutor Connection: Closing the Educational Achievement Gap for Children in Foster Care" is sponsored by the Casey Family Programs. Tutor Connection has provided 1,240 student teachers from California State University-San Marcos to work directly with children in foster care to improve academic performance. Hear about the results for over 1,500 foster care youth who have participated in this program and learn more about the roles that Departments of Education can play in positively impacting this unique and often invisible population.
NATIONAL NEWS
Recession Imperils Loan Forgiveness Programs
From the New York Times
When a Kentucky agency cut back its program to forgive student loans for schoolteachers, Travis B. Gay knew he and his wife, Stephanie — both special-education teachers — were in trouble. From Kentucky to Iowa to California, loan forgiveness programs are on the chopping block.
46 States, D.C. Plan to Draft Common Education Standards
From the Washington Post
Forty-six states and the District of Columbia today will announce an effort to craft a single vision for what children should learn each year from kindergarten through high school graduation, an unprecedented step toward a uniform definition of success in American schools. Led by the National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers, the states are aiming to define a framework of content and skills that meet an overarching goal.
A Changing Student Body: Report Shows Record Enrollment, More-Diverse Population
From the Washington Post
Public school enrollment across the country is hitting a record this year with just less than 50 million students, and classrooms are becoming more diverse, largely because of growth in the Latino population, according to a new federal report. The picture of the nation's classrooms comes annually through the Condition of Education, a congressionally mandated look at enrollment and performance trends in schools and colleges.
Study Finds Teacher Evaluations Usually Rosy
From Education Week (LOGIN REQUIRED)
In many school districts, nearly all tenured teachers—like the children in author Garrison Keillor's fictional town of Lake Wobegon—are deemed above average, concludes a study released today by the New Teacher Project.
Supreme Court to Address Meeting the Needs of Special-Education Students
From the New York Times
In a case with potential financial repercussions for school districts and families alike, the United States Supreme Court will soon decide when public schools must reimburse parents of special-education students for private-school tuition.
Grads Apply in Record Numbers to Teach for America
From the Associated Press
When school starts next fall, Teach for America will send an unprecedented number of college graduates to teach in poor communities across the country — but not as many as the group would like. Teach for America this year chose 4,100 recruits from more than 35,000 applications, an increase over last year's class of 3,700 recruits. While the group has never accepted every applicant, this was the first time it had to turn down people who met all its rigorous criteria. The constraint is the economy.
Reviewer Commends RAND Report on Charter Schools
From the Think Tank Review Project at the Education and the Public Interest Center
A new report from RAND on charter schools in eight states generally finds them to have modest or insignificant effects on an array of outcomes, including student achievement, student attainment, integration, and public school competition. A review of the RAND report raises questions about all four of the report's sections, particularly stressing some weaknesses in the data and analyses regarding the integration and competition findings. But overall, the review concludes that the report is of high quality and makes an important contribution to the empirical literature on charter school effectiveness.
The Math Gender Gap Explained
From Newsweek
Even the most hidebound male chauvinists have been forced to admit that girls are as good at math as boys, on average. But the stereotype that females lack the innate ability to match males at the highest levels of math lives on. A new study comes as close to burying it as anything yet.
NEWS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY
Charter Schools: Illinois Lawmakers Pave Way for Number to Double
From the Chicago Tribune
Charter school proponents scored an important victory late Sunday after state lawmakers paved the way for the number of charters in Illinois to double. Under the legislation, Chicago would be allowed 45 new charter schools, five of which would be reserved for schools enrolling high school dropouts, and 15 additional charters would be allotted for the rest of the state. Advocates say the new schools would help address the nearly 13,000 students statewide who wanted to enroll in charter schools but were squeezed out for lack of space.
Oklahoma Opens Way for More Second-Career Teachers
From NewsOK.com
A new law will allow teachers certified through the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence to be hired in Oklahoma schools. The program, founded with a federal grant, is designed for professionals who want to change careers. The traditional certification route and even the state's own alternative certification process can take years and is expensive for adults looking to switch careers.
Science, Math Shortfalls Targeted
From the Deseret News
To counteract shortfalls the country is facing in the science and mathematics education sector, the Utah Board of Regents on Friday announced the creation of a consortium that will address them. Deans of the colleges of science and mathematics at all nine public institutions in Utah, along with representatives from public education and the community will play a central role in understanding and solving global problems in energy, food supply, human health and national and international security.
Birmingham School Administrators Trek to Philippines to Find Math, Science Teachers
From the Birmingham News
Four Birmingham city school administrators returned this week from a week-long teacher recruitment trip to the Philippines, where they interviewed 89 potential math and science teachers. Jeff McDaniels, director of human resources, said he and three others traveled to Manila at no cost to the school system, and came back Sunday with a list of 10 candidates for the board to consider hiring in June. A California-based international recruiting firm paid for the trip.
Economy Nudging Central Texans Into Teaching Certification Programs
From the Waco Tribune
Though it took longer than some might have expected, the economy is playing a role in nudging Wacoans and Central Texans toward the teaching field. Officials from both McLennan Community College's alternative teacher certification program and the Region 12 Education Service Center's teacher preparation and certification program say interest in their programs has spiked this spring.
Ohio Governor Backs New Teacher Mentoring Program
From Kypost.com
Ohio Governor Ted Strickland continued to push Wednesday for a four-year mentoring program for new teachers in their first four years after getting their college degrees. The governor's comments came during a forum on teacher quality held at the University of Cincinnati. Sixteen UC education students had a chance to ask the Strickland questions about their future profession.
OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS
Teacher Quality Partnership Grant Competition Now Open
The U.S. Department of Education has opened this year's Teacher Quality Partnership grant competition. Interested applicants must file a letter of intent by June 26. Final applications are due July 23. Prospective applicants also may participate in one of two preapplication workshops on Monday, June 8. The first is from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and the second is from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time. To read the notice in the Federal Register, click here. For the application package and other information, click here.
Free Live Webinar on Education Week's Diplomas Count Report
"Diplomas Count 2009: Broader Horizons"—Thursday, June 11, 3:00-4:00 p.m. Eastern Time
At a time when only seven in 10 American students are leaving high school with a diploma, President Barack Obama is demanding that the nation lift its educational sights by asking all Americans to commit to at least one year of education after high school. The 2009 edition of Education Week's Diplomas Count report, produced with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, investigates the issue of college readiness, exploring national policy debates as well as state and local initiatives to prepare all students for postsecondary education. The report also includes the EPE Research Center's latest graduation-rate analysis, which identifies several dozen big-city school systems that are exceeding expectations. Free registration is now open.
Free Web Conference on Survey of Teachers' Preparedness
"Demonstrating Teacher Quality in a Changing Environment"—Thursday, June 18, 2:00-3:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Thousands of new teachers enter the classroom eager to make an impact on our nation's youth, but how prepared do they actually feel? In a recent survey by Eduventures, over 1,500 newly prepared teachers and administrators nationwide responded to a series of questions about their preparation to date and their preferences for ongoing graduate and professional development work.
Last Chance to Comment on Draft Title II Reporting Forms on Teacher Quality and Preparation
The U.S. Department of Education seeks comments on the draft institutional and state report card forms required of the accountability provisions in Title II of the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA). The public may comment on these forms by June 8. Title II of HEOA requires institutions of higher education that prepare teachers to provide annual reports on how these teacher candidates perform on certification/licensure exams; goals that the institution has set for preparing teachers in key shortage areas; assurances for how institutions are preparing all candidates to be successful in the classroom; and descriptions of how preparation programs are structured. AACTE encourages its members to respond to this call for comment.
Kristin K. McCabe, Editor
American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education
1307 New York Ave., NW Suite 300
Washington, DC 20005
(207) 899-1309
kmccabe@aacte.org
. . . delivered to your inbox so you can enjoy up-to-date news on colleges of education, teaching and the classroom, legislation, STEM teacher issues, grants, and upcoming events. Please click on linked headlines for full story.
AACTE ANNOUNCEMENTS
AACTE's 5th Annual Day on the Hill
AACTE's 2009 Day on the Hill will take place June 17-18 in Washington, DC. This is AACTE's premier advocacy event! Come to DC to meet with your members of Congress and to tell them about the good work you do. This year's theme is "Innovation and Reform in Teacher Preparation." For more information, please contact Mary Harrill-McClellan at mharrill@aacte.org.
Registration Extended for AACTE's Leadership Academy
The deadline to register for AACTE's new Leadership Academy has been extended to June 19! Two of AACTE's yearly professional development conferences, the Leadership Institute for Department Chairs and the New Deans Institute, will be combined in 2009 to create this exciting educational opportunity. With the goal of sustaining the teacher education profession by providing powerful learning and networking tools, the academy is an essential event for new deans, department chairs, and other educational administrators to attend. This event will take place June 28 - July 3 in St. Louis, Missouri. Click here to view the 2009 Leadership Academy brochure.
FREE Access to Archived Webinar on Closing the Achievement Gap for Children in Foster Care (AACTE webinar)
Access this free webinar anytime through June 30! "Tutor Connection: Closing the Educational Achievement Gap for Children in Foster Care" is sponsored by the Casey Family Programs. Tutor Connection has provided 1,240 student teachers from California State University-San Marcos to work directly with children in foster care to improve academic performance. Hear about the results for over 1,500 foster care youth who have participated in this program and learn more about the roles that Departments of Education can play in positively impacting this unique and often invisible population.
NATIONAL NEWS
Recession Imperils Loan Forgiveness Programs
From the New York Times
When a Kentucky agency cut back its program to forgive student loans for schoolteachers, Travis B. Gay knew he and his wife, Stephanie — both special-education teachers — were in trouble. From Kentucky to Iowa to California, loan forgiveness programs are on the chopping block.
46 States, D.C. Plan to Draft Common Education Standards
From the Washington Post
Forty-six states and the District of Columbia today will announce an effort to craft a single vision for what children should learn each year from kindergarten through high school graduation, an unprecedented step toward a uniform definition of success in American schools. Led by the National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers, the states are aiming to define a framework of content and skills that meet an overarching goal.
A Changing Student Body: Report Shows Record Enrollment, More-Diverse Population
From the Washington Post
Public school enrollment across the country is hitting a record this year with just less than 50 million students, and classrooms are becoming more diverse, largely because of growth in the Latino population, according to a new federal report. The picture of the nation's classrooms comes annually through the Condition of Education, a congressionally mandated look at enrollment and performance trends in schools and colleges.
Study Finds Teacher Evaluations Usually Rosy
From Education Week (LOGIN REQUIRED)
In many school districts, nearly all tenured teachers—like the children in author Garrison Keillor's fictional town of Lake Wobegon—are deemed above average, concludes a study released today by the New Teacher Project.
Supreme Court to Address Meeting the Needs of Special-Education Students
From the New York Times
In a case with potential financial repercussions for school districts and families alike, the United States Supreme Court will soon decide when public schools must reimburse parents of special-education students for private-school tuition.
Grads Apply in Record Numbers to Teach for America
From the Associated Press
When school starts next fall, Teach for America will send an unprecedented number of college graduates to teach in poor communities across the country — but not as many as the group would like. Teach for America this year chose 4,100 recruits from more than 35,000 applications, an increase over last year's class of 3,700 recruits. While the group has never accepted every applicant, this was the first time it had to turn down people who met all its rigorous criteria. The constraint is the economy.
Reviewer Commends RAND Report on Charter Schools
From the Think Tank Review Project at the Education and the Public Interest Center
A new report from RAND on charter schools in eight states generally finds them to have modest or insignificant effects on an array of outcomes, including student achievement, student attainment, integration, and public school competition. A review of the RAND report raises questions about all four of the report's sections, particularly stressing some weaknesses in the data and analyses regarding the integration and competition findings. But overall, the review concludes that the report is of high quality and makes an important contribution to the empirical literature on charter school effectiveness.
The Math Gender Gap Explained
From Newsweek
Even the most hidebound male chauvinists have been forced to admit that girls are as good at math as boys, on average. But the stereotype that females lack the innate ability to match males at the highest levels of math lives on. A new study comes as close to burying it as anything yet.
NEWS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY
Charter Schools: Illinois Lawmakers Pave Way for Number to Double
From the Chicago Tribune
Charter school proponents scored an important victory late Sunday after state lawmakers paved the way for the number of charters in Illinois to double. Under the legislation, Chicago would be allowed 45 new charter schools, five of which would be reserved for schools enrolling high school dropouts, and 15 additional charters would be allotted for the rest of the state. Advocates say the new schools would help address the nearly 13,000 students statewide who wanted to enroll in charter schools but were squeezed out for lack of space.
Oklahoma Opens Way for More Second-Career Teachers
From NewsOK.com
A new law will allow teachers certified through the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence to be hired in Oklahoma schools. The program, founded with a federal grant, is designed for professionals who want to change careers. The traditional certification route and even the state's own alternative certification process can take years and is expensive for adults looking to switch careers.
Science, Math Shortfalls Targeted
From the Deseret News
To counteract shortfalls the country is facing in the science and mathematics education sector, the Utah Board of Regents on Friday announced the creation of a consortium that will address them. Deans of the colleges of science and mathematics at all nine public institutions in Utah, along with representatives from public education and the community will play a central role in understanding and solving global problems in energy, food supply, human health and national and international security.
Birmingham School Administrators Trek to Philippines to Find Math, Science Teachers
From the Birmingham News
Four Birmingham city school administrators returned this week from a week-long teacher recruitment trip to the Philippines, where they interviewed 89 potential math and science teachers. Jeff McDaniels, director of human resources, said he and three others traveled to Manila at no cost to the school system, and came back Sunday with a list of 10 candidates for the board to consider hiring in June. A California-based international recruiting firm paid for the trip.
Economy Nudging Central Texans Into Teaching Certification Programs
From the Waco Tribune
Though it took longer than some might have expected, the economy is playing a role in nudging Wacoans and Central Texans toward the teaching field. Officials from both McLennan Community College's alternative teacher certification program and the Region 12 Education Service Center's teacher preparation and certification program say interest in their programs has spiked this spring.
Ohio Governor Backs New Teacher Mentoring Program
From Kypost.com
Ohio Governor Ted Strickland continued to push Wednesday for a four-year mentoring program for new teachers in their first four years after getting their college degrees. The governor's comments came during a forum on teacher quality held at the University of Cincinnati. Sixteen UC education students had a chance to ask the Strickland questions about their future profession.
OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS
Teacher Quality Partnership Grant Competition Now Open
The U.S. Department of Education has opened this year's Teacher Quality Partnership grant competition. Interested applicants must file a letter of intent by June 26. Final applications are due July 23. Prospective applicants also may participate in one of two preapplication workshops on Monday, June 8. The first is from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and the second is from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time. To read the notice in the Federal Register, click here. For the application package and other information, click here.
Free Live Webinar on Education Week's Diplomas Count Report
"Diplomas Count 2009: Broader Horizons"—Thursday, June 11, 3:00-4:00 p.m. Eastern Time
At a time when only seven in 10 American students are leaving high school with a diploma, President Barack Obama is demanding that the nation lift its educational sights by asking all Americans to commit to at least one year of education after high school. The 2009 edition of Education Week's Diplomas Count report, produced with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, investigates the issue of college readiness, exploring national policy debates as well as state and local initiatives to prepare all students for postsecondary education. The report also includes the EPE Research Center's latest graduation-rate analysis, which identifies several dozen big-city school systems that are exceeding expectations. Free registration is now open.
Free Web Conference on Survey of Teachers' Preparedness
"Demonstrating Teacher Quality in a Changing Environment"—Thursday, June 18, 2:00-3:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Thousands of new teachers enter the classroom eager to make an impact on our nation's youth, but how prepared do they actually feel? In a recent survey by Eduventures, over 1,500 newly prepared teachers and administrators nationwide responded to a series of questions about their preparation to date and their preferences for ongoing graduate and professional development work.
Last Chance to Comment on Draft Title II Reporting Forms on Teacher Quality and Preparation
The U.S. Department of Education seeks comments on the draft institutional and state report card forms required of the accountability provisions in Title II of the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA). The public may comment on these forms by June 8. Title II of HEOA requires institutions of higher education that prepare teachers to provide annual reports on how these teacher candidates perform on certification/licensure exams; goals that the institution has set for preparing teachers in key shortage areas; assurances for how institutions are preparing all candidates to be successful in the classroom; and descriptions of how preparation programs are structured. AACTE encourages its members to respond to this call for comment.
Kristin K. McCabe, Editor
American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education
1307 New York Ave., NW Suite 300
Washington, DC 20005
(207) 899-1309
kmccabe@aacte.org
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
North Dakota Council on the Arts
JUNE 2009
Welcome to e-Prairie Arts! This electronic newsletter supplements our printed newsletter, Prairie Arts, which is published 3 times per year. e-Prairie Arts will be distributed during the months of February, March, April, June, July, August, October, November and December. If you know of anyone else who would like to receive e-Prairie Arts, please e-mail comserv@nd.gov. Or if you wish to unsubscribe, send an e-mail to comserv@nd.gov as well.
STATEWIDE NEWS
NDCA Announces Job Preservation Grant Program
The National Endowment for the Arts announced $19.8 million in one-time grants under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) to state arts agencies and regional arts organizations to support the arts sector of the economy. NDCA will receive $290,000 that it will re-grant through a Job Preservation grant program to North Dakota nonprofit arts organizations with significant art programs. Funds in this grant program will help to preserve jobs in the nonprofit arts sector in North Dakota that are threatened by declines in philanthropic and other support during the current economic downturn. The grant period runs July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010. The grant deadline is June 20, 2009. Additional grant guidelines and information, and a link to the online grant application are available via this link.
NDCA Announces New Technology Grant Program
The North Dakota Council on the Arts (NDCA) announces a new Technology Grants program for FY 2010. This grant program will be used to assist organizations in updating and creating technological improvements. Grants of up to $600 may be requested for web development, equipment purchase, and new software. You must be a current non-profit arts organization registered with the ND Secretary of State in order to qualify for funding. Guidelines are now available via this link, for review. Funds are available on a first come, first served basis beginning July 1, 2009. Limited funds are available for this fiscal year.
2009 Summer Teachers' Institute People, Places and Pre-History
The 2009 Summer Teachers’ Institute takes place on June 16-17, 2009, in beautiful, historic Medora, North Dakota. Participants will learn about the people, places and prehistory of North Dakota through site visits to a historical dig site, the Chateau de Mores, and Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Presenters will include paleontologists, botanists, geologists, forest service and park service professionals, artists, and historic site interpreters. The summer institute will be offered for one continuing education credit. For institute details and registration information, contact Dr. Marilyn Snyder, Curator of Education, State Historical Society of North Dakota at (701) 328-2792. The North Dakota Teacher Coalition is a group of partners committed to bringing culture and history resources to the K-12 classroom. The primary goal of the Coalition is to provide professional development opportunities that enable educators to expand their content knowledge and provide resources for curriculum planning and development. The Coalition partners gather and coordinate activities and curriculum resources that provide enriched educational experiences for K12 teachers and students across North Dakota. The collection that evolves consists of quality, up-to-date resources and materials based on historical and cultural aspects of North Dakota. Implementation of this project consists of face-to-face and online professional development opportunities for teachers across the state and development of a growing Resource Collection. Significant partners in this project are those organizations and agencies that can provide valuable cultural and historical data and current information strategic to planning and maintaining this collection: EduTech; North Dakota Forest Service; North Dakota Council on the Arts; Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site; State Historical Society of North Dakota; and the North Dakota Geographic Alliance.
State Historical Society, Sargent County Historical Society To Host Collections Care Workshop
A collections care workshop, entitled “Ideal vs. Real,” will be held at the Sargent County Museum in Forman, North Dakota, Wednesday, June 10 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The workshop is free of charge and open to the first 25 registrants. Participants must pre-register for this workshop by Monday, June 8. There are limited scholarship funds, available to North Dakota museums, for travel reimbursement, but applications must be made prior to the workshop date. Lunch will be provided courtesy of the Sargent County Historical Society. The workshop will be presented by Jenny Yearous, curator of collections management with the State Historical Society of North Dakota. Yearous is responsible for managing the daily care of the state’s artifact collection. She has 15 years of experience working with textiles and other artifact collections. Yearous always strives to find the most cost-effective method and logical approach to taking care of collections. For more information and/or to register for this workshop call SHSND Expansion and New Initiatives Coordinator Claudia Berg at (701) 328-2666 or email cberg@nd.gov.
June 2009 Art and Cultural Events Throughout North Dakota
The following information lists some of the many entertaining events you can take part in! Bismarck: Jun 13 - Area fiber artists will come together to do some public knitting at the Former Governors’ Mansion State Historic Site, and Jun 20 - 3RD Annual MidSummer Celebration of Light, Sleepy Hollow Arts Park 7:30-dark; Center: Jun 12-13 - Village Gallery's 31st Annual Art Show and Craft Fair; Hazen: Music in the Parks events; Mandan: Jun 6-Aug 20 - The Musicians Association of Bismarck-Mandan’s 2009 Summer Band Shell Concerts; Ellendale: Jun 7-14 - "Railroad Week" and Jun 20-21 - "If These Walls Could Talk" historic pageant on the "100 Years of Memories"; Fargo: Jun 11-12 - "Plains Inside Out: Minneapolis Art on Wheels, and Jun 23 - NDSU Bison Arts presents Alf Clausen; Moorhead: Jun 8-Jul 27 - The Minnesota State University Moorhead Summer Cinema Series, Jun 24-25 - Trollwood Performing Arts School’s 2009 summer performances of HONK!, and Jun 26-28 - 32nd Annual Scandinavian Hjemkomst Festival at the Heritage Hjemkomst Interpretive Center; Aneta: Jun 20 - New Norwegian Book, Musical Kick Off at Annual Aneta Turkey Barbeque; Grand Forks: North Dakota Museum of Art Concerts in the Garden Series; Devils Lake: 2009 Chautauqua Season; Pekin: Jun 24-28 - Nelson County Arts Council’s Pekin Days Art Show; Minot: Minot Area Council of the Arts’ Arts in the Parks 2009, and much more! For more information on these events and additional events, and exhibits, visit: www.culturepulse.org; or www.nd.gov/arts/calendar/calendar.html.
Assistance Available to Craft Artists Affected by Flooding
Artists, arts organizations and businesses in the regions of North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota threatened by flooding, and art organizations in these states with at least a statewide scope are encouraged to read this. Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF), hopes you and your loved ones are able to avoid loss from the flooding and wish those who have suffered loss a quick recovery. CERF would like to make sure that any professional craft artist who may have been seriously affected by the flooding is aware of the disaster relief assistance available from CERF. If, as a craft artist, you have suffered loss, please contact them when able. If, as an arts organization representative, you know of craft artists in the areas hardest hit by the flooding, or plan to correspond with your artist constituents in the near future, please pass this information on. If there are organizations that directly work with artists in your community that you think we should know about, please send us their contact information. CERF’s programs include: Grants up to $1,500; Loans up to $8,000; Booth fee waivers at craft shows; Discounts on materials and equipment from suppliers and manufacturers; Assistance with business development through referrals to consultants and other low or no-cost resources; Disaster forums to facilitate craft community disaster preparedness and recovery. For eligibility requirements and more detailed information, visit http://craftemergency.org/programs/relief, or contact CERF at: Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF), PO Box 838, Montpelier, VT 05601; ph: (802) 229-2306; fx: (802) 223-6484; email: les@craftemergency.org; www.craftemergency.org.
NATIONAL NEWS
President Obama Nominates Rocco Landesman to Lead the NEA
Rocco Landesman, the colorful theatrical producer and race-track aficionado who brought hits like “Big River,” “Angels in America” and “The Producers” to Broadway, has been nominated as the next chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, the White House said. The White House’s official statement on his nomination noted that Landesman’s career “has been a hybrid of commercial, philanthropic, and purely artistic engagements.” The article is available via this link.
President Obama’s Budget Calls for $6 Million Increase for the NEA
President Barack Obama released the first budget of his administration on Thursday, May 14, 2009, revealing details of his FY 2010 spending plans. Cultural funding saw some increases from FY 2009 levels, including a proposed $6 million increase for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). The boost would bring the NEA’s total appropriation to $161 million, up from the recently passed $155 million in the FY 2009 Omnibus Budget Resolution. Other cultural institutions such as the Institute for Museum and Library Services maintained relatively the same funding from FY 2009. But for the first time in eight years, the president’s budget includes $38 million in appropriations for the Arts in Education programs at the U.S. Department of Education. This stands in sharp contrast to the previous administration’s policy of not marking funds for these critical arts education programs in professional and model development that later had to be added in by congressional action.
~ Americans for the Arts May 2009 Monthly Wire
Learning in the Arts for Children and Youth
The National Endowment for the Arts is committed to providing leadership in arts education by inspiring all young Americans through rich arts experiences. A high quality education in the arts opens a critical gateway to a lifetime of appreciation and engagement. For two reasons, learning in the arts is an indispensable part of American education: 1) children celebrate and participate in their cultural inheritance, and 2) academic and social maturity follow directly from arts education experiences. The “Learning in the Arts for Children and Youth” category offers funding for projects that help children and youth acquire knowledge and understanding of and skills in the arts. Projects must provide participatory learning and engage students with skilled artists, teachers, and excellent art. Funded projects apply national or state arts education standards. Application deadline is June 11, 2009. For additional information, and to apply, visit: www.arts.endow.gov/grants/apply/GAP10/LITA.html.
EVENT AND EXHIBIT CALENDAR, ARTS OPPORTUNITIES
2009-2010 Cultural Exchange Fund (CEF) Program Announcement
The Cultural Exchange Fund (CEF) is a travel subsidy program supported by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to assist U.S. based presenters in building partnerships and collaborations with international touring artists, companies and their collaborators and in seeing the work of artists from around the world in its cultural context. The Association of Performing Arts Presenters (Arts Presenters) recognizes that promoting global cultural exchange is essential for audience and community engagement in the performing arts and provides an opportunity for presenting professionals to expand and deepen their knowledge of artists, traditions and cultures from around the world. Arts Presenters will award travel subsidies to individual presenters, non-profit presenting organizations and to groups of presenters traveling to see the work of artists, companies and/or to develop and advance projects with international artists and their collaborators. All applicants must be active members of the Association of Performing Arts Presenters. Please visit www.artspresenters.org for more information on how to apply for the grant. You may also contact Alison McNeil, toll free at 1-888.820.ARTS or amcneil@artspresenters.org should you have any questions related to the program.
Small Works Exhibit and Auction
June 16 - July 23, 2009; Annual Summer BBQ and Auction: July 23, 2009, 5:30-7:30pm. Deadline for entries: June 13, 2009. No entry fees! No limit on number of entries for members! Non members up to three entries! Enclose a $25 annual artist membership fee, and you may enter an unlimited number of entries! Eligibility: The Taube Museum of Art Small Works Exhibit & Auction is open to artists 18 years or older. Artists may submit works in any medium. Artwork must be original, created within the last two years. Guidelines: Two- dimensional works maximum size 80 square inches including frame. Sculptural works may not exceed 8” x 8” x 8” including base if a base is included. Each framed entry must be ready to hang with wire hangers or saw tooth hangers. All work must be available for purchase. Not For Sale work will not be accepted. Acceptable Media: collage, computer techniques, drawings, fiber art, glass works, jewelry, metal, mixed media, paintings, pastels, photography, pottery, prints, sculptures, wood. Additional information about the Small Works Exhibit and Auction is available via this link. Last year the show sold almost 70% of all entries! For more info, call 701-838-4445; or visit www.taubemuseum.org
Abbey Prairie Arts Council’s Pastel Painting Workshop
July 17-19, 2009, The Assumption Abbey, 418 3rd Ave West, Richardton, ND. Pastel Painting Workshop Artist and Instructor ~ Sheila Rieman (Minimum 10 Students). Sheila is an award winning pastel artist and an experienced instructor. The Richardton Assumption Abbey has a wonderfully relaxing and enjoyable atmosphere for creating art. Workshop participants will work in a large room with artists’ north lighting and a full panoramic view of rolling prairie hills. Students will dine with the monks and take accommodations in former college dorms. Registration Fee: $200.00 Reserves your spot. (Does not include lodging and meals). Cut-off date for workshop Registration is by June 30, 2009. If the class does not fill by this date, your payment will be refunded. Lodging costs at the Abbey are: Single $20.00 per night. Double $15.00 per person per night (must be two people per room to get this rate) Meal costs for entire workshop: $60.00. For more information, please contact Beverly L. Haas at 701-290-3275; or Brother Llewellyn Kouba at 701-974-3315. A registration form and schedule is available via this link.
Dare to Step Outside the Box
Are you sick and tired of working hard as an artist and still feeling invisible? Are all of your exhibitions predictable? Do you play it safe, follow protocol, and then wonder why you haven't garnered the attention you deserve? Do you secretly fantasize about stepping out of your comfort zone, perhaps even doing something a bit outrageous and controversial? The article is available via this link.
~ By Renee Phillips, The Artrepreneur Coach, Art Calendar
Check out the upcoming Events and Exhibits listed on NDCA's regional calendars, and for more information, visit North Dakota's Statewide Arts Calendar at www.culturepulse.org. If you have events, exhibits or artist opportunities that you would like included on the NDCA web site, please email them to comserv@nd.gov.
Check out the current Arts Opportunities available on the NDCA web site!
DID YOU KNOW ...
Businesses Are Still Donating to the Arts
Times are tough for business and the arts alike, so why are some businesses standing by their commitment to funding the arts? It’s not an easy choice, but these executives believe the arts are a good investment and a key in promoting a region as a good place to live and do business. To read the entire article, visit: www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1894971,00.html.
OTHER RESOURCES
Nonprofits Organizations - Learn How to Save $$$ on Your Technology Needs!
TechSoup Stock is the technology product philanthropy service just for nonprofits. Launched by TechSoup Global in January 2002 (as DiscounTech), this service is a unique collaboration with corporate and nonprofit technology providers. Thanks to their partners' generous product donations and discounts, TechSoup Stock is able to facilitate and distribute multiple product philanthropy programs in a centralized, Web-based platform. They work to foster social change in two ways: by helping nonprofits to save money for mission-critical work when acquiring technology and by helping nonprofits use this technology even more effectively. To learn more, visit http://www.techsoup.org/stock/aboutus.asp.
Applying for 501(c) Status Without a Lawyer
The IRS has created a new website (http://www.stayexempt.org/) that enables new organizations to apply for 501(c) status without using a lawyer. This site is helpful and easy to follow.
Art Calendar
Art Calendar is the industry’s foremost business magazine for visual artists. Founded in 1986, Art Calendar acts as a beacon to guide artists on their journey toward making a living with their art. Written by knowledgeable industry pros and successful working artists, Art Calendar offers practical business advice on subjects such as art marketing, art law, portfolio development, exhibition presentation, communication skills and sales techniques, as well as advanced technical applications of photography, computer and Web tools. It also offers the most extensive and recent listings of Calls to Artists, including galleries reviewing portfolios, juried competitions, grants, fellowships, festivals, publishing opportunities and residencies. Best described as “The Artist’s Guide to Making It,” Art Calendar is the only subscription-driven, business-oriented magazine published specifically for visual artists. Art Calendar enables professional artists to make a living doing what they love. Offering innovative ideas, along with all of the necessary tools to sell their work and further their careers, Art Calendar has established itself as the ultimate resource for visual artists. http://www.artcalendar.com/; http://www.artscuttlebutt.com/; http://www.craftercircle.com/.
Sell Your Arts/Crafts Online at PrairieWorksMall.com
Prairie Works is organized to empower rural and isolated North Dakota artists and artisans to market their crafts and gain access to professional networks. Its purpose is to promote access to, and development of, arts in rural and tribal communities in North Dakota. Prairie Works is an organization founded to continue the art and craft heritage of rural ND artists by providing a source to market and sell their creative products. Prairie Works is providing the On-Line Gallery, a web site to sell art and craft work that ND artists, crafters and art entrepreneurs have created. The arts/crafts of Prairie Works will consist of quality, originality, creativity, and use of appropriate techniques. All work must be handmade by the ND artisan. For more information; to become a member; and/or to sell your arts/crafts online, please visit http://www.prairieworksmall.com/.
Online Arts Job Resource
Americans for the Arts have created an online arts job resource for employers and employees to come together. This new resource can be accessed by visiting http://jobbank.artsusa.org/search.cfm.
Prairie Independent
Introducing the "Prairie Independent" Bismarck-Mandan's newest community newspaper of people, places and events. The "Prairie Independent" is available at over 130 locations including community coffee shops, restaurants, waiting rooms, bars, entertainment centers, convenience stores, churches and at the Prairie Independent office. The "Prairie Independent" is a Free publication, if you are interested in advertising availability or offering the "Prairie Independent" to your customers, please contact Don Morrison at don@ndpeople.org, or 527-0060.
Self Employment in the Arts (SEA)
The focus of SEA is on the business of art. SEA was created with the idea that more artists will succeed if they have business skills, knowledge, resources, and contacts. Through artist-led conferences, a website full of resources and articles, and educational tools like the award winning Entrepreneurial Artist DVD; SEA helps artists turn their passions into a living. SEA is for college students, serious high school students, artists, and educators. Their mission is to provide educational resources to help aspiring artists gain the entrepreneurial knowledge and skills needed to establish and maintain a career as an independent artist. more on SEA...
"Tools for Results" Tool-Kit - a Resource for Non-profit Arts and Cultural Organizations
The Texas Commission on the Arts "Tools for Results" Tool-kit was developed as a resource for non-profit arts and cultural organizations in Texas and beyond. The Tool-kit is a collaborative project made possible with the help of many organizations that generously agreed to share their resources. The Tool-kit covers six topic areas: Fundraising & Development, Programs & Exhibitions, Cultural Tourism, Marketing, Advocacy, and Nonprofit Basics. Each section covers the basics, relevant concepts, best practices, things to consider, ideas for implementing change, common mistakes, ways to get started, do’s and don’ts, and how-to’s on a variety of topics. The “tools” are the sample forms, letters, documents, checklists, templates, and other resources. The intention is for nonprofits to take these “tools” and adapt them for their own purposes.
United States Artists (USA)
USA is a new organization dedicated to the support of America's finest living artists. Artists now have a home where they may find significant private funding to ignite the creativity that makes this country great. USA was launched in September 2005 with $20 million in seed funding provided by a coalition of leading foundations—Ford, Rockefeller, Prudential, and Rasmuson—in an act of unprecedented private investment in individual artists and the creative potential of America. Their initial investment enables them to pilot the USA Fellows program, awarding unrestricted $50,000 grants to fifty artists each year beginning in 2006. USA's long-term vision is to create an organization dedicated to the unlimited promise of our finest artists. Their horizon line is not three, five, or 25 years, but rather 100 years and beyond. Building on their base of private funding, their aspiration is to be permanently endowed. more on United States Artists…
Artists' Health Insurance Resource Center
The Artists’ Health Insurance Resource Center (AHIRC) database was created in 1998 by The Actors’ Fund of America, with a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, as a health insurance resource for artists and people in the entertainment industry. Since then, with support from The Commonwealth Fund, it has expanded to include resources for the self-employed, low-income workers, the under-insured, the uninsured who require medical care and many other groups. For more information visit: http://www.ahirc.org/; for a direct link to North Dakota resources, visit: www.ahirc.org/state_indx.cfm?st=ND.
Online Legal Primers on the Arts
A new web site, http://www.thelawportal.info/, offers legal primers for artists and arts organizations, covering topics that range from the traditional and familiar (such as copyright) to the new and sometimes obscure (two-way broadband network access), and from the personal (how to find healthy materials) to the professional (how to develop contracts) to the political (free speech).
Online Classifieds Opportunities & Services for Artists
The New York Foundation for the Arts' Online Classifieds Opportunities & Services for Artists, is a free national online sources for artist opportunities and services. These include calls for entry, services such as photography of art work and accounting, space for rent, and many others. New listings are posted daily (designated with an orange "new" icon for one week) and remain on the site until they expire. Organizations posting listings are solely responsible for the content of those listings.
Additional Web Sites
The following Web sites have resources that may be of service to educators, individual artists, and arts organizations including funding and other opportunities, publications, arts events, etc:
National Endowment for the Arts
Kennedy Center Alliance for Arts Education Network
National Assembly of State Arts Agencies
Arts Midwest
Arts Education Partnership
The North Dakota Council on the Arts is the state agency responsible for the support and development of the arts throughout North Dakota, and is funded by the state legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts.
If your email service does not accept graphics, please request a text-only version by emailing comserv@nd.gov. e-Prairie Arts is sent automatically to Prairie Arts readers who have an e-mail address on file with the NDCA. If you would like this sent to a different address, email comserv@nd.gov, or i f you wish to unsubscribe, email comserv@nd.gov. We welcome your comments and suggestions regarding the e-Prairie Arts online newsletter, please email them to comserv@nd.gov.
Home | About Us | What's New | Arts in Education | Folk Arts | Grant Programs | Arts Opportunities | Calendar | Newsletters | Press Releases | Resources/Links | Accessibility/504 | Contact Us
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Welcome to e-Prairie Arts! This electronic newsletter supplements our printed newsletter, Prairie Arts, which is published 3 times per year. e-Prairie Arts will be distributed during the months of February, March, April, June, July, August, October, November and December. If you know of anyone else who would like to receive e-Prairie Arts, please e-mail comserv@nd.gov. Or if you wish to unsubscribe, send an e-mail to comserv@nd.gov as well.
STATEWIDE NEWS
NDCA Announces Job Preservation Grant Program
The National Endowment for the Arts announced $19.8 million in one-time grants under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) to state arts agencies and regional arts organizations to support the arts sector of the economy. NDCA will receive $290,000 that it will re-grant through a Job Preservation grant program to North Dakota nonprofit arts organizations with significant art programs. Funds in this grant program will help to preserve jobs in the nonprofit arts sector in North Dakota that are threatened by declines in philanthropic and other support during the current economic downturn. The grant period runs July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010. The grant deadline is June 20, 2009. Additional grant guidelines and information, and a link to the online grant application are available via this link.
NDCA Announces New Technology Grant Program
The North Dakota Council on the Arts (NDCA) announces a new Technology Grants program for FY 2010. This grant program will be used to assist organizations in updating and creating technological improvements. Grants of up to $600 may be requested for web development, equipment purchase, and new software. You must be a current non-profit arts organization registered with the ND Secretary of State in order to qualify for funding. Guidelines are now available via this link, for review. Funds are available on a first come, first served basis beginning July 1, 2009. Limited funds are available for this fiscal year.
2009 Summer Teachers' Institute People, Places and Pre-History
The 2009 Summer Teachers’ Institute takes place on June 16-17, 2009, in beautiful, historic Medora, North Dakota. Participants will learn about the people, places and prehistory of North Dakota through site visits to a historical dig site, the Chateau de Mores, and Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Presenters will include paleontologists, botanists, geologists, forest service and park service professionals, artists, and historic site interpreters. The summer institute will be offered for one continuing education credit. For institute details and registration information, contact Dr. Marilyn Snyder, Curator of Education, State Historical Society of North Dakota at (701) 328-2792. The North Dakota Teacher Coalition is a group of partners committed to bringing culture and history resources to the K-12 classroom. The primary goal of the Coalition is to provide professional development opportunities that enable educators to expand their content knowledge and provide resources for curriculum planning and development. The Coalition partners gather and coordinate activities and curriculum resources that provide enriched educational experiences for K12 teachers and students across North Dakota. The collection that evolves consists of quality, up-to-date resources and materials based on historical and cultural aspects of North Dakota. Implementation of this project consists of face-to-face and online professional development opportunities for teachers across the state and development of a growing Resource Collection. Significant partners in this project are those organizations and agencies that can provide valuable cultural and historical data and current information strategic to planning and maintaining this collection: EduTech; North Dakota Forest Service; North Dakota Council on the Arts; Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site; State Historical Society of North Dakota; and the North Dakota Geographic Alliance.
State Historical Society, Sargent County Historical Society To Host Collections Care Workshop
A collections care workshop, entitled “Ideal vs. Real,” will be held at the Sargent County Museum in Forman, North Dakota, Wednesday, June 10 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The workshop is free of charge and open to the first 25 registrants. Participants must pre-register for this workshop by Monday, June 8. There are limited scholarship funds, available to North Dakota museums, for travel reimbursement, but applications must be made prior to the workshop date. Lunch will be provided courtesy of the Sargent County Historical Society. The workshop will be presented by Jenny Yearous, curator of collections management with the State Historical Society of North Dakota. Yearous is responsible for managing the daily care of the state’s artifact collection. She has 15 years of experience working with textiles and other artifact collections. Yearous always strives to find the most cost-effective method and logical approach to taking care of collections. For more information and/or to register for this workshop call SHSND Expansion and New Initiatives Coordinator Claudia Berg at (701) 328-2666 or email cberg@nd.gov.
June 2009 Art and Cultural Events Throughout North Dakota
The following information lists some of the many entertaining events you can take part in! Bismarck: Jun 13 - Area fiber artists will come together to do some public knitting at the Former Governors’ Mansion State Historic Site, and Jun 20 - 3RD Annual MidSummer Celebration of Light, Sleepy Hollow Arts Park 7:30-dark; Center: Jun 12-13 - Village Gallery's 31st Annual Art Show and Craft Fair; Hazen: Music in the Parks events; Mandan: Jun 6-Aug 20 - The Musicians Association of Bismarck-Mandan’s 2009 Summer Band Shell Concerts; Ellendale: Jun 7-14 - "Railroad Week" and Jun 20-21 - "If These Walls Could Talk" historic pageant on the "100 Years of Memories"; Fargo: Jun 11-12 - "Plains Inside Out: Minneapolis Art on Wheels, and Jun 23 - NDSU Bison Arts presents Alf Clausen; Moorhead: Jun 8-Jul 27 - The Minnesota State University Moorhead Summer Cinema Series, Jun 24-25 - Trollwood Performing Arts School’s 2009 summer performances of HONK!, and Jun 26-28 - 32nd Annual Scandinavian Hjemkomst Festival at the Heritage Hjemkomst Interpretive Center; Aneta: Jun 20 - New Norwegian Book, Musical Kick Off at Annual Aneta Turkey Barbeque; Grand Forks: North Dakota Museum of Art Concerts in the Garden Series; Devils Lake: 2009 Chautauqua Season; Pekin: Jun 24-28 - Nelson County Arts Council’s Pekin Days Art Show; Minot: Minot Area Council of the Arts’ Arts in the Parks 2009, and much more! For more information on these events and additional events, and exhibits, visit: www.culturepulse.org; or www.nd.gov/arts/calendar/calendar.html.
Assistance Available to Craft Artists Affected by Flooding
Artists, arts organizations and businesses in the regions of North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota threatened by flooding, and art organizations in these states with at least a statewide scope are encouraged to read this. Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF), hopes you and your loved ones are able to avoid loss from the flooding and wish those who have suffered loss a quick recovery. CERF would like to make sure that any professional craft artist who may have been seriously affected by the flooding is aware of the disaster relief assistance available from CERF. If, as a craft artist, you have suffered loss, please contact them when able. If, as an arts organization representative, you know of craft artists in the areas hardest hit by the flooding, or plan to correspond with your artist constituents in the near future, please pass this information on. If there are organizations that directly work with artists in your community that you think we should know about, please send us their contact information. CERF’s programs include: Grants up to $1,500; Loans up to $8,000; Booth fee waivers at craft shows; Discounts on materials and equipment from suppliers and manufacturers; Assistance with business development through referrals to consultants and other low or no-cost resources; Disaster forums to facilitate craft community disaster preparedness and recovery. For eligibility requirements and more detailed information, visit http://craftemergency.org/programs/relief, or contact CERF at: Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF), PO Box 838, Montpelier, VT 05601; ph: (802) 229-2306; fx: (802) 223-6484; email: les@craftemergency.org; www.craftemergency.org.
NATIONAL NEWS
President Obama Nominates Rocco Landesman to Lead the NEA
Rocco Landesman, the colorful theatrical producer and race-track aficionado who brought hits like “Big River,” “Angels in America” and “The Producers” to Broadway, has been nominated as the next chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, the White House said. The White House’s official statement on his nomination noted that Landesman’s career “has been a hybrid of commercial, philanthropic, and purely artistic engagements.” The article is available via this link.
President Obama’s Budget Calls for $6 Million Increase for the NEA
President Barack Obama released the first budget of his administration on Thursday, May 14, 2009, revealing details of his FY 2010 spending plans. Cultural funding saw some increases from FY 2009 levels, including a proposed $6 million increase for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). The boost would bring the NEA’s total appropriation to $161 million, up from the recently passed $155 million in the FY 2009 Omnibus Budget Resolution. Other cultural institutions such as the Institute for Museum and Library Services maintained relatively the same funding from FY 2009. But for the first time in eight years, the president’s budget includes $38 million in appropriations for the Arts in Education programs at the U.S. Department of Education. This stands in sharp contrast to the previous administration’s policy of not marking funds for these critical arts education programs in professional and model development that later had to be added in by congressional action.
~ Americans for the Arts May 2009 Monthly Wire
Learning in the Arts for Children and Youth
The National Endowment for the Arts is committed to providing leadership in arts education by inspiring all young Americans through rich arts experiences. A high quality education in the arts opens a critical gateway to a lifetime of appreciation and engagement. For two reasons, learning in the arts is an indispensable part of American education: 1) children celebrate and participate in their cultural inheritance, and 2) academic and social maturity follow directly from arts education experiences. The “Learning in the Arts for Children and Youth” category offers funding for projects that help children and youth acquire knowledge and understanding of and skills in the arts. Projects must provide participatory learning and engage students with skilled artists, teachers, and excellent art. Funded projects apply national or state arts education standards. Application deadline is June 11, 2009. For additional information, and to apply, visit: www.arts.endow.gov/grants/apply/GAP10/LITA.html.
EVENT AND EXHIBIT CALENDAR, ARTS OPPORTUNITIES
2009-2010 Cultural Exchange Fund (CEF) Program Announcement
The Cultural Exchange Fund (CEF) is a travel subsidy program supported by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to assist U.S. based presenters in building partnerships and collaborations with international touring artists, companies and their collaborators and in seeing the work of artists from around the world in its cultural context. The Association of Performing Arts Presenters (Arts Presenters) recognizes that promoting global cultural exchange is essential for audience and community engagement in the performing arts and provides an opportunity for presenting professionals to expand and deepen their knowledge of artists, traditions and cultures from around the world. Arts Presenters will award travel subsidies to individual presenters, non-profit presenting organizations and to groups of presenters traveling to see the work of artists, companies and/or to develop and advance projects with international artists and their collaborators. All applicants must be active members of the Association of Performing Arts Presenters. Please visit www.artspresenters.org for more information on how to apply for the grant. You may also contact Alison McNeil, toll free at 1-888.820.ARTS or amcneil@artspresenters.org should you have any questions related to the program.
Small Works Exhibit and Auction
June 16 - July 23, 2009; Annual Summer BBQ and Auction: July 23, 2009, 5:30-7:30pm. Deadline for entries: June 13, 2009. No entry fees! No limit on number of entries for members! Non members up to three entries! Enclose a $25 annual artist membership fee, and you may enter an unlimited number of entries! Eligibility: The Taube Museum of Art Small Works Exhibit & Auction is open to artists 18 years or older. Artists may submit works in any medium. Artwork must be original, created within the last two years. Guidelines: Two- dimensional works maximum size 80 square inches including frame. Sculptural works may not exceed 8” x 8” x 8” including base if a base is included. Each framed entry must be ready to hang with wire hangers or saw tooth hangers. All work must be available for purchase. Not For Sale work will not be accepted. Acceptable Media: collage, computer techniques, drawings, fiber art, glass works, jewelry, metal, mixed media, paintings, pastels, photography, pottery, prints, sculptures, wood. Additional information about the Small Works Exhibit and Auction is available via this link. Last year the show sold almost 70% of all entries! For more info, call 701-838-4445; or visit www.taubemuseum.org
Abbey Prairie Arts Council’s Pastel Painting Workshop
July 17-19, 2009, The Assumption Abbey, 418 3rd Ave West, Richardton, ND. Pastel Painting Workshop Artist and Instructor ~ Sheila Rieman (Minimum 10 Students). Sheila is an award winning pastel artist and an experienced instructor. The Richardton Assumption Abbey has a wonderfully relaxing and enjoyable atmosphere for creating art. Workshop participants will work in a large room with artists’ north lighting and a full panoramic view of rolling prairie hills. Students will dine with the monks and take accommodations in former college dorms. Registration Fee: $200.00 Reserves your spot. (Does not include lodging and meals). Cut-off date for workshop Registration is by June 30, 2009. If the class does not fill by this date, your payment will be refunded. Lodging costs at the Abbey are: Single $20.00 per night. Double $15.00 per person per night (must be two people per room to get this rate) Meal costs for entire workshop: $60.00. For more information, please contact Beverly L. Haas at 701-290-3275; or Brother Llewellyn Kouba at 701-974-3315. A registration form and schedule is available via this link.
Dare to Step Outside the Box
Are you sick and tired of working hard as an artist and still feeling invisible? Are all of your exhibitions predictable? Do you play it safe, follow protocol, and then wonder why you haven't garnered the attention you deserve? Do you secretly fantasize about stepping out of your comfort zone, perhaps even doing something a bit outrageous and controversial? The article is available via this link.
~ By Renee Phillips, The Artrepreneur Coach, Art Calendar
Check out the upcoming Events and Exhibits listed on NDCA's regional calendars, and for more information, visit North Dakota's Statewide Arts Calendar at www.culturepulse.org. If you have events, exhibits or artist opportunities that you would like included on the NDCA web site, please email them to comserv@nd.gov.
Check out the current Arts Opportunities available on the NDCA web site!
DID YOU KNOW ...
Businesses Are Still Donating to the Arts
Times are tough for business and the arts alike, so why are some businesses standing by their commitment to funding the arts? It’s not an easy choice, but these executives believe the arts are a good investment and a key in promoting a region as a good place to live and do business. To read the entire article, visit: www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1894971,00.html.
OTHER RESOURCES
Nonprofits Organizations - Learn How to Save $$$ on Your Technology Needs!
TechSoup Stock is the technology product philanthropy service just for nonprofits. Launched by TechSoup Global in January 2002 (as DiscounTech), this service is a unique collaboration with corporate and nonprofit technology providers. Thanks to their partners' generous product donations and discounts, TechSoup Stock is able to facilitate and distribute multiple product philanthropy programs in a centralized, Web-based platform. They work to foster social change in two ways: by helping nonprofits to save money for mission-critical work when acquiring technology and by helping nonprofits use this technology even more effectively. To learn more, visit http://www.techsoup.org/stock/aboutus.asp.
Applying for 501(c) Status Without a Lawyer
The IRS has created a new website (http://www.stayexempt.org/) that enables new organizations to apply for 501(c) status without using a lawyer. This site is helpful and easy to follow.
Art Calendar
Art Calendar is the industry’s foremost business magazine for visual artists. Founded in 1986, Art Calendar acts as a beacon to guide artists on their journey toward making a living with their art. Written by knowledgeable industry pros and successful working artists, Art Calendar offers practical business advice on subjects such as art marketing, art law, portfolio development, exhibition presentation, communication skills and sales techniques, as well as advanced technical applications of photography, computer and Web tools. It also offers the most extensive and recent listings of Calls to Artists, including galleries reviewing portfolios, juried competitions, grants, fellowships, festivals, publishing opportunities and residencies. Best described as “The Artist’s Guide to Making It,” Art Calendar is the only subscription-driven, business-oriented magazine published specifically for visual artists. Art Calendar enables professional artists to make a living doing what they love. Offering innovative ideas, along with all of the necessary tools to sell their work and further their careers, Art Calendar has established itself as the ultimate resource for visual artists. http://www.artcalendar.com/; http://www.artscuttlebutt.com/; http://www.craftercircle.com/.
Sell Your Arts/Crafts Online at PrairieWorksMall.com
Prairie Works is organized to empower rural and isolated North Dakota artists and artisans to market their crafts and gain access to professional networks. Its purpose is to promote access to, and development of, arts in rural and tribal communities in North Dakota. Prairie Works is an organization founded to continue the art and craft heritage of rural ND artists by providing a source to market and sell their creative products. Prairie Works is providing the On-Line Gallery, a web site to sell art and craft work that ND artists, crafters and art entrepreneurs have created. The arts/crafts of Prairie Works will consist of quality, originality, creativity, and use of appropriate techniques. All work must be handmade by the ND artisan. For more information; to become a member; and/or to sell your arts/crafts online, please visit http://www.prairieworksmall.com/.
Online Arts Job Resource
Americans for the Arts have created an online arts job resource for employers and employees to come together. This new resource can be accessed by visiting http://jobbank.artsusa.org/search.cfm.
Prairie Independent
Introducing the "Prairie Independent" Bismarck-Mandan's newest community newspaper of people, places and events. The "Prairie Independent" is available at over 130 locations including community coffee shops, restaurants, waiting rooms, bars, entertainment centers, convenience stores, churches and at the Prairie Independent office. The "Prairie Independent" is a Free publication, if you are interested in advertising availability or offering the "Prairie Independent" to your customers, please contact Don Morrison at don@ndpeople.org, or 527-0060.
Self Employment in the Arts (SEA)
The focus of SEA is on the business of art. SEA was created with the idea that more artists will succeed if they have business skills, knowledge, resources, and contacts. Through artist-led conferences, a website full of resources and articles, and educational tools like the award winning Entrepreneurial Artist DVD; SEA helps artists turn their passions into a living. SEA is for college students, serious high school students, artists, and educators. Their mission is to provide educational resources to help aspiring artists gain the entrepreneurial knowledge and skills needed to establish and maintain a career as an independent artist. more on SEA...
"Tools for Results" Tool-Kit - a Resource for Non-profit Arts and Cultural Organizations
The Texas Commission on the Arts "Tools for Results" Tool-kit was developed as a resource for non-profit arts and cultural organizations in Texas and beyond. The Tool-kit is a collaborative project made possible with the help of many organizations that generously agreed to share their resources. The Tool-kit covers six topic areas: Fundraising & Development, Programs & Exhibitions, Cultural Tourism, Marketing, Advocacy, and Nonprofit Basics. Each section covers the basics, relevant concepts, best practices, things to consider, ideas for implementing change, common mistakes, ways to get started, do’s and don’ts, and how-to’s on a variety of topics. The “tools” are the sample forms, letters, documents, checklists, templates, and other resources. The intention is for nonprofits to take these “tools” and adapt them for their own purposes.
United States Artists (USA)
USA is a new organization dedicated to the support of America's finest living artists. Artists now have a home where they may find significant private funding to ignite the creativity that makes this country great. USA was launched in September 2005 with $20 million in seed funding provided by a coalition of leading foundations—Ford, Rockefeller, Prudential, and Rasmuson—in an act of unprecedented private investment in individual artists and the creative potential of America. Their initial investment enables them to pilot the USA Fellows program, awarding unrestricted $50,000 grants to fifty artists each year beginning in 2006. USA's long-term vision is to create an organization dedicated to the unlimited promise of our finest artists. Their horizon line is not three, five, or 25 years, but rather 100 years and beyond. Building on their base of private funding, their aspiration is to be permanently endowed. more on United States Artists…
Artists' Health Insurance Resource Center
The Artists’ Health Insurance Resource Center (AHIRC) database was created in 1998 by The Actors’ Fund of America, with a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, as a health insurance resource for artists and people in the entertainment industry. Since then, with support from The Commonwealth Fund, it has expanded to include resources for the self-employed, low-income workers, the under-insured, the uninsured who require medical care and many other groups. For more information visit: http://www.ahirc.org/; for a direct link to North Dakota resources, visit: www.ahirc.org/state_indx.cfm?st=ND.
Online Legal Primers on the Arts
A new web site, http://www.thelawportal.info/, offers legal primers for artists and arts organizations, covering topics that range from the traditional and familiar (such as copyright) to the new and sometimes obscure (two-way broadband network access), and from the personal (how to find healthy materials) to the professional (how to develop contracts) to the political (free speech).
Online Classifieds Opportunities & Services for Artists
The New York Foundation for the Arts' Online Classifieds Opportunities & Services for Artists, is a free national online sources for artist opportunities and services. These include calls for entry, services such as photography of art work and accounting, space for rent, and many others. New listings are posted daily (designated with an orange "new" icon for one week) and remain on the site until they expire. Organizations posting listings are solely responsible for the content of those listings.
Additional Web Sites
The following Web sites have resources that may be of service to educators, individual artists, and arts organizations including funding and other opportunities, publications, arts events, etc:
National Endowment for the Arts
Kennedy Center Alliance for Arts Education Network
National Assembly of State Arts Agencies
Arts Midwest
Arts Education Partnership
The North Dakota Council on the Arts is the state agency responsible for the support and development of the arts throughout North Dakota, and is funded by the state legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts.
If your email service does not accept graphics, please request a text-only version by emailing comserv@nd.gov. e-Prairie Arts is sent automatically to Prairie Arts readers who have an e-mail address on file with the NDCA. If you would like this sent to a different address, email comserv@nd.gov, or i f you wish to unsubscribe, email comserv@nd.gov. We welcome your comments and suggestions regarding the e-Prairie Arts online newsletter, please email them to comserv@nd.gov.
Home | About Us | What's New | Arts in Education | Folk Arts | Grant Programs | Arts Opportunities | Calendar | Newsletters | Press Releases | Resources/Links | Accessibility/504 | Contact Us
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Monday, June 1, 2009
Bismarck - Mandan Development Association
Bismarck one of “best places to retire” – CBS’s MoneyWatch.com puts Bismarck in the #4 spot of “Best Places to Retire.” MoneyWatch.com made its selections after analyzing five leading raters who together looked at 454 places. Each rater of communities to retire in looked at different things, with some considering a wide variety of reasonable criteria to get a rounded picture of livability while others focused on one or two key factors. Bismarck’s ‘pros’ included low cost of living and good senior job opportunities, while it’s ‘cons’ included frigid winters and being less than cosmopolitan. The top retirement cities as selected by MoneyWatch.com are Austin TX, Portland OR, Beaufort SC, Bismarck ND, Burlington VT, Cincinnati OH, and San Diego CA.
To read the entire article about how the rankings were done click here.
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Prairie Business Magazine - On Thursday morning members of the BMDA staff met with Rick Killion, Contributing Editor and Senior Account Manager of Prairie Business Magazine, to talk about a future feature article (possibly the July issue) on Bismarck-Mandan. Also participating in the discussion were Mandan Mayor Tim Helbling and Ellen Huber, Mandan Economic Development Coordinator. The staff of the Prairie Business Magazine will also be talking to Bismarck Mayor John Warford as well as a large group of the Bismarck-Mandan business community to try to do determine why the two communities are proving to be a leading force in the economy of the State of North Dakota. It was an interesting discussion which sometimes reminded all of us of things and reasons why this is a truly great community. We look forward to seeing the final article.
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Presentation to Lion’s Club - On Thursday evening, Russ served as keynote speaker for the evening Lions Club that meets at the AMVETS CLUB. The group is composed of some 57 individuals who are members of the Bismarck-Mandan business community. They wanted an update on all the positive things happening in the community and the region. The BMDA has found that meeting with active service clubs like the Lions is a great way to both get information out to the business community and also a great way to get feedback on what people are hearing and their perceptions of things happening. Any service club that is interested in having a member of the BMDA staff speak to them about the economic development process should contact the BMDA office at 222-5530 and ask to speak to one of the staff about meeting with their organization.
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Industrial sites - In our efforts to support the two communities with the continuing need for additional commercial/industrial growth space, the BMDA along with Mandan City staff members will be meeting with a number of different property owners about their possible interest in having land they own or control being considered by the City for a future commercial/industrial park. It is always a bit surprising to think that here in North Dakota that there would be any problem with finding space to develop commercial/industrial space, but because of a long list of reasons, it is not as easy as buying a lot to build a house on. There is a long list of infrastructure needs which must be addressed in selecting a site. These include the availability of sewer and water, transportation needs including both solid roads systems capable of heavy truck traffic and also the need for rail service in many cases. All of this must then be fit into the surrounding land use environment. The sponsoring community must also determine the source of funds for the acquisition and development of the land. Despite all these issues, this search for the appropriate sites is critical to the continued economic growth of the Bismarck-Mandan region.
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Mandan Strategic Vision Process – Market Street, Mandan’s strategic vision processing consultant, was in town to meet with the Steering Committee and to hold a public meeting to present the findings of a recent survey about community likes and dislikes to the public. Market Street has been surprised at the level of community input they have received during this project in Mandan as compared to other projects they have completed in similar sized communities. This input included 870 people who responded to the online survey, as well as input from seven focus groups and 20 personal interviews. Preliminary results show that Mandan residents are proud of their small-town atmosphere, education offerings, entertainment functions and family-friendly atmosphere.
Four major goals have been identified, those being 1) Leadership, pride and image 2) District and centers (regionalizing the possibilities for growth and development) 3) Economic opportunity and prosperity, and 4) Education and workforce development. The input received will be prioritized of the four major goals, and used to create a five year plan of action for the community. It is anticipated that this visioning process will be completed early this summer.
For more information please visit www.mandanvisionplan.com.
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Renewable Energy Action Summit - On May 31 and June 1, the National Energy Center of Excellence and Bismarck State College are hosting a Renewable Energy Action Summit on the BSC campus. Participants include Governor John Hoeven, U.S. Senator Bryon Dorgan, BSC President and Dr. Larry Skogen with former U.S. Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy Andy Karsner as the keynote speaker. For more information, please visit www.bismarckstate.com/energysummit.
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Business Retention & Expansion - Each year, the BMDA conducts our Business Retention & Expansion (BRE) Program through which we visit 100 area businesses to determine those issues affecting our business community and identify companies that may require our assistance. Traditionally, the majority of BRE Programs have been conducted throughout the summer months and with the season at hand, we're looking for those business who would like to participate. The visit only takes an hour, BMDA staff will arrange a time and place that's most convenient for you and everything discussed during the visit remains confidential. If you would like to visit with the BMDA this year, please contact Brian at britter@bmda.org or 222-5530.
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IEDC conference - Richard will be in Charlotte, NC from May 30th to June 4th to attend the International Economic Development Council's (IEDC) 2009 Tech Led Economic Development Conference. Prior to the conference Richard will be assisting IEDC as a grader for the certification exam that is offered to prospective Certified Economic Development (CEcD) candidates.
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AgTC annual meeting - On July 3rd Russ will travel to San Francisco to participate in the AgTC Annual Meeting. The AgTC stands for Agricultural Transportation Coalition and their reason for existing is to provide a forum to discuss the many issues related to the transportation of agricultural goods, both domestically and internationally. The discussion involves issues related to rail service and freight rates, availability (or lack of) intermodal containers from the ocean carriers who own and control most of the containers, the volumes backing up at the ocean ports and other similar concerns. With the creation of the Northern Plains Commerce Centre in Bismarck, we have found ourselves struggling with all of these issues as we attempt to support those shippers both current and in the future who move goods through the NPCC. One major problem is the availability of shipping containers here in the Great Plains Region. Because of the high demand for containers world-wide, the ocean carriers who control them made the decision to not allow any of the containers out of whatever seaport they come into. Once unloaded from the sea vessel they arrived in port on, they are off loaded and the carriers require the contents to be transloaded to either a rail carrier or a truck line. The empty containers are then reloaded on the carrier to return to whatever port of origin they came from for a new shipment of TV’s, video games or whatever is the product of the day. The lack of containers here in the Great Plains area severely limits value added ag processors from being able to ship their table ready food products in the most secure manner possible. A serious concern for these processor who do not want to risk any contamination of whatever food product they are shipping.
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Prairie Business Magazine - On Thursday morning members of the BMDA staff met with Rick Killion, Contributing Editor and Senior Account Manager of Prairie Business Magazine, to talk about a future feature article (possibly the July issue) on Bismarck-Mandan. Also participating in the discussion were Mandan Mayor Tim Helbling and Ellen Huber, Mandan Economic Development Coordinator. The staff of the Prairie Business Magazine will also be talking to Bismarck Mayor John Warford as well as a large group of the Bismarck-Mandan business community to try to do determine why the two communities are proving to be a leading force in the economy of the State of North Dakota. It was an interesting discussion which sometimes reminded all of us of things and reasons why this is a truly great community. We look forward to seeing the final article.
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Presentation to Lion’s Club - On Thursday evening, Russ served as keynote speaker for the evening Lions Club that meets at the AMVETS CLUB. The group is composed of some 57 individuals who are members of the Bismarck-Mandan business community. They wanted an update on all the positive things happening in the community and the region. The BMDA has found that meeting with active service clubs like the Lions is a great way to both get information out to the business community and also a great way to get feedback on what people are hearing and their perceptions of things happening. Any service club that is interested in having a member of the BMDA staff speak to them about the economic development process should contact the BMDA office at 222-5530 and ask to speak to one of the staff about meeting with their organization.
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Industrial sites - In our efforts to support the two communities with the continuing need for additional commercial/industrial growth space, the BMDA along with Mandan City staff members will be meeting with a number of different property owners about their possible interest in having land they own or control being considered by the City for a future commercial/industrial park. It is always a bit surprising to think that here in North Dakota that there would be any problem with finding space to develop commercial/industrial space, but because of a long list of reasons, it is not as easy as buying a lot to build a house on. There is a long list of infrastructure needs which must be addressed in selecting a site. These include the availability of sewer and water, transportation needs including both solid roads systems capable of heavy truck traffic and also the need for rail service in many cases. All of this must then be fit into the surrounding land use environment. The sponsoring community must also determine the source of funds for the acquisition and development of the land. Despite all these issues, this search for the appropriate sites is critical to the continued economic growth of the Bismarck-Mandan region.
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Mandan Strategic Vision Process – Market Street, Mandan’s strategic vision processing consultant, was in town to meet with the Steering Committee and to hold a public meeting to present the findings of a recent survey about community likes and dislikes to the public. Market Street has been surprised at the level of community input they have received during this project in Mandan as compared to other projects they have completed in similar sized communities. This input included 870 people who responded to the online survey, as well as input from seven focus groups and 20 personal interviews. Preliminary results show that Mandan residents are proud of their small-town atmosphere, education offerings, entertainment functions and family-friendly atmosphere.
Four major goals have been identified, those being 1) Leadership, pride and image 2) District and centers (regionalizing the possibilities for growth and development) 3) Economic opportunity and prosperity, and 4) Education and workforce development. The input received will be prioritized of the four major goals, and used to create a five year plan of action for the community. It is anticipated that this visioning process will be completed early this summer.
For more information please visit www.mandanvisionplan.com.
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Renewable Energy Action Summit - On May 31 and June 1, the National Energy Center of Excellence and Bismarck State College are hosting a Renewable Energy Action Summit on the BSC campus. Participants include Governor John Hoeven, U.S. Senator Bryon Dorgan, BSC President and Dr. Larry Skogen with former U.S. Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy Andy Karsner as the keynote speaker. For more information, please visit www.bismarckstate.com/energysummit.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Business Retention & Expansion - Each year, the BMDA conducts our Business Retention & Expansion (BRE) Program through which we visit 100 area businesses to determine those issues affecting our business community and identify companies that may require our assistance. Traditionally, the majority of BRE Programs have been conducted throughout the summer months and with the season at hand, we're looking for those business who would like to participate. The visit only takes an hour, BMDA staff will arrange a time and place that's most convenient for you and everything discussed during the visit remains confidential. If you would like to visit with the BMDA this year, please contact Brian at britter@bmda.org or 222-5530.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
IEDC conference - Richard will be in Charlotte, NC from May 30th to June 4th to attend the International Economic Development Council's (IEDC) 2009 Tech Led Economic Development Conference. Prior to the conference Richard will be assisting IEDC as a grader for the certification exam that is offered to prospective Certified Economic Development (CEcD) candidates.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
AgTC annual meeting - On July 3rd Russ will travel to San Francisco to participate in the AgTC Annual Meeting. The AgTC stands for Agricultural Transportation Coalition and their reason for existing is to provide a forum to discuss the many issues related to the transportation of agricultural goods, both domestically and internationally. The discussion involves issues related to rail service and freight rates, availability (or lack of) intermodal containers from the ocean carriers who own and control most of the containers, the volumes backing up at the ocean ports and other similar concerns. With the creation of the Northern Plains Commerce Centre in Bismarck, we have found ourselves struggling with all of these issues as we attempt to support those shippers both current and in the future who move goods through the NPCC. One major problem is the availability of shipping containers here in the Great Plains Region. Because of the high demand for containers world-wide, the ocean carriers who control them made the decision to not allow any of the containers out of whatever seaport they come into. Once unloaded from the sea vessel they arrived in port on, they are off loaded and the carriers require the contents to be transloaded to either a rail carrier or a truck line. The empty containers are then reloaded on the carrier to return to whatever port of origin they came from for a new shipment of TV’s, video games or whatever is the product of the day. The lack of containers here in the Great Plains area severely limits value added ag processors from being able to ship their table ready food products in the most secure manner possible. A serious concern for these processor who do not want to risk any contamination of whatever food product they are shipping.
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Click here to unsubscribe from the BMDA Newsletter
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