The National
Association of Development Organizations (NADO)
Innovation Awards Program
Since 1986, the NADO Innovation Awards Program has recognized organizations that have demonstrated innovative approaches to regional economic and community development. Each year award winners are highlighted in a special issue of the Regional Development Digest, which is published in July and distributed to NADO members, federal and state officials, the media, and members of Congress. Many of the winning organizations partnered with local businesses, educational institutions and non-profit groups, allowing them to simultaneously address human and economic development needs, leverage funds and eliminate duplication.
The Bexar County (San Antonio) Assisted Living Facilities Task Force was first organized by the District Attorney’s and City Attorney’s Offices, to gather information and to address issues in unlicensed board and care and assisted living facilities. AACOG has been a catalyst in sustaining the Task Force structure, facilitating the education and enforcement coordination between local, state, and federal agencies. Currently Nick Monreal, the Managing Local Ombudsman, for Bexar AAA, of AACOG, Chair’s the Task Force; its Mission is to offer education to providers, consumers and neighbors of personal care facilities, and to serve the community through coordinated efforts to share resources with the goal of identifying and assisting unlicensed facilities to obtain compliance; and encouraging the Assisted Living industry to address the pressing needs for facility and healthcare employment expansion in San Antonio.
Results:
1. Our concept has been singled-out as a National Best Practice Model, as it pertains to Advocacy in Assisted Living Facilities;
2. Our Bexar County Assisted Living Task Force Model, was the "Blue Print" for Senate Bill 6, the Texas Legislative Bill, which created a new state agencies' network and monitoring arm, for the oversight of the "unlicensed" Assisted Living Facility industry in Texas;
3. The efforts of the model Bexar County Task Force have not only brought an impact towards decreasing the level of dangerous and unlicensed facilities operating in San Antonio / Bexar County, but have also substantiated a need for Licensed AFL's in our community. This need has been addressed by the legitimate ALF industry (such as Emeritus Corp.), which has increased ALF facility construction, and health care service related employment in our region as well;
4. With many of the same partners from the ALF Task Force, the Long Term Care Services Committee is moving rapidly towards promoting new working relationships between healthcare employers and educational institutions, to provide work-based education and training for critically needed front-line workers.