Emergency Preparedness for Texas HCSSAs [A Four Program Package]

Package Description:

This is a specially-priced package of four (4) Emergency Preparedness programs specific to and applicable to ALL Texas HCSSAs! Read descriptions below of the four programs included in this package.

[PGM3936] EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS | PART 01 | Hurricanes, Hacks, and Shooters, Oh My!

Program Description:

This is a moderated panel where member agencies share their firsthand experiences in navigating a wide range of emergencies, from active shooter incidents to severe weather events and ransomware attacks, as well as critical financial challenges. You will gain valuable insights into how these agencies responded to real crises, what worked for them and what didn’t. Take this opportunity to enhance your own Emergency Preparedness Plan by learning from the lessons and best practices of your peers.

HCSSA Topic(s) Addressed:

• §558.259[d][4]agency responsibilities
• §558.259[d][6]emergency preparedness planning and implementation
• §558.260[a][2]development and interpretation of agency policies
• §558.260[a][3]basic principles of management in a licensed health-related setting
• §558.260[a][6]risk assessment and management

Education-Training Credits:

• TX HCSSA Administrator/Alternate Continuing Education
  • 1.5 Clock Hr(s)
• Continuing Education for Nurses
  • 1.5 Contact Hr(s)
  • This program awards CNE until 10.10.2026

[PGM3937] EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS | PART 02 | Live in the Safe Zone: The Compliance Side of the Emergency Preparedness Plan

Program Description:

Emergency Preparedness compliance is not easy. Have you ever wondered...

• Does this apply to our agency?
• Do we have to do that?
• What if we're a small agency with limited resources?
• Should we be monitoring infections?
• Do OSHA guidelines apply to us?

Then this session is for you! Navigating the compliance landscape of emergency preparedness is crucial for Home and Community Support Services Agencies (HCSSAs) and is not easy. This session dives into the common pitfalls that lead to citations and explore the often-overlooked compliance elements of your emergency preparedness plan. From documentation to training and everything in between, make sure your agency is not only prepared for emergencies but also fully compliant with regulatory requirements. Don’t get caught off guard! Understand what’s expected and avoid those dreaded citations.

HCSSA Topic(s) Addressed:

• §558.259[d][4]agency responsibilities
• §558.259[d][6]emergency preparedness planning and implementation
• §558.260[a][2]development and interpretation of agency policies
• §558.260[a][3]basic principles of management in a licensed health-related setting
• §558.260[a][6]risk assessment and management

Education-Training Credits:

• TX HCSSA Administrator/Alternate Continuing Education
  • 1.5 Clock Hr(s)
• Continuing Education for Nurses
  • 1.5 Contact Hr(s)
  • This program awards CNE until 10.10.2026

[PGM3938] EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS | PART 03 | Sliding Into the Financial and Cyber Security Details

Program Description:

This session delves deeper into the critical aspects of financial and cybersecurity preparedness. Many agencies believe they’re ready for emergencies, but the reality since 2020 has shown that unforeseen challenges, like the recent Change Healthcare attack affecting billing and payments, can disrupt even the best-laid plans. Having a robust financial contingency plan during an emergency is not just important—it’s vital. How will your agency ensure payroll is covered? What about protecting your finances from a ransomware attack? It’s essential to evaluate and enhance your emergency preparedness plan to include comprehensive cybersecurity measures. Ask yourself: are you truly prepared to face a financial or ransomware attack?

HCSSA Topic(s) Addressed:

• §558.259[d][4]agency responsibilities
• §558.259[d][6]emergency preparedness planning and implementation
• §558.260[a][2]development and interpretation of agency policies
• §558.260[a][3]basic principles of management in a licensed health-related setting
• §558.260[a][6]risk assessment and management

Education-Training Credits:

• TX HCSSA Administrator/Alternate Continuing Education
  • 1.5 Clock Hr(s)
• Continuing Education for Nurses
  • 1.5 Contact Hr(s)
  • This program awards CNE until 10.10.2026

[PGM3939] EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS | PART 04 | Home is Where You Win: The Framework of EP Planning

Program Description:

This session guides you through the final steps in crafting a compliant and actionable Emergency Preparedness (EP) Plan. Regardless of your agency's size, compliance with federal and state requirements is essential. It examines the critical framework pieces necessary for a robust EP Plan including, but not limited to:

• Risk assessment and emergency planning
• Policies and procedures
• Strong communication strategies
• Employee training and testing
• Recovery plans

and much more! Ensure your plan has all of the latest updates including the necessary tools, training, and resources before an emergency strikes. Now is the time to double-check everything to guarantee you are fully prepared for whatever may come!

HCSSA Topic(s) Addressed:

• §558.259[d][4]agency responsibilities
• §558.259[d][6]emergency preparedness planning and implementation
• §558.260[a][2]development and interpretation of agency policies
• §558.260[a][3]basic principles of management in a licensed health-related setting
• §558.260[a][6]risk assessment and management

Education-Training Credits:

• TX HCSSA Administrator/Alternate Continuing Education
  • 1.5 Clock Hr(s)
• Continuing Education for Nurses
  • 1.5 Contact Hr(s)
  • This program awards CNE until 10.10.2026

About the Presenters of Programs in this Package:

About the Presenter(s): Amy L. Taylor

Amy Taylor (formerly Knight) founded Knight Home Care Financial in 2002 with a mission to deliver expert healthcare financial services and consulting to post-acute and long-term care industries. For 22 years, Amy has been bringing her creative and innovative healthcare accounting solutions to TAHCH, where she was honored as the 2011 & 2023 TAHCH Associate Member of the Year. Her journey in healthcare finance has been marked by a commitment to excellence and a passion for helping others.

About the Presenter(s): Lynn Speckels

Lynn Speckels is a registered nurse by trade with an accounting background She has 29 years’ experience in the home health industry from working in the field as a clinician, a case manager, director/vice-president, and then many years of consulting with agencies assisting with Quality Improvement and Outcome Based Quality Initiatives and Research, Value Based Purchasing, providing overall education individually and at conferences on topics to include ICD10 Coding, OASIS, Documentation, Regulatory Requirements, and Potential Fraud & Abuse Issues, etc. She currently owns and operates Medical Coding Answers, LLC. a coding and consulting business for home health agencies as well as serves as an Administrator and Director at Hendrick Home Health, a privately owned hospital based home health agency. Lynn maintains her HCS-D coding certification through the Board of Medical Specialty Coding and her Certified Medical Compliance Officer (CMCO) certification through Practice Management Institute. Lynn is able to help others in the industry with a wealth of knowledge learned throughout the years as well as remaining current working hands on in the industry today.

About the Presenter(s): Colleen Woods

Collen Woods has worked in the home care industry since 1996, holding various positions in both home health & hospice agencies including field nurse, case manager, educator, QA manager, DON and Administrator. Colleen is currently a senior consultant and lead educator with JCC Consulting, and services home health and hospice agencies in Texas. Colleen enjoys helping agency leaders navigate the constant changes and challenges in the current home health and hospice industries. She enjoys assisting in the incorporation of meaningful and impactful changes into their agency’s operations – both administrative and clinical, in order to provide high quality care that is both sustainable while maintaining regulatory requirements and promoting excellent patient care.

About the Presenter(s): Jonathan Willman

Bio coming soon

About the Presenter(s): Jennifer Osburn

Jennifer Osburn is a Clinical Consultant with Healthcare Provider Solutions, Inc. (HPS). With over 30 years of home health experience, Jennifer brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise which includes education and training, agency management, quality, clinical case management, and software technology. She is also a credentialed OASIS and ICD-10 Coding expert. Jennifer began her home health career in a large privately owned agency after transitioning from Medical-Surgical Urology hospital nursing; however, she has worked for all types of agencies in multiple states. Her love for sharing knowledge and experience led her to clinical consulting, where she enjoys translating technical guidance into information that the busy home health professional can deploy to improve the efficiency and quality of care being delivered to the patients they serve. Jennifer Osburn has led numerous home health educational seminars for state and national associations as well as specifically designed education training plans for agencies for the past 12 years. In addition to consulting across the US, she has trained staff for The Joint Commission and ACHC, has authored numerous industry blogs and articles, and has assisted home health software companies with solutions that ensure compliance with Medicare guidelines. Her areas of expertise and firsthand experience include OASIS, ICD-10-CM Coding, Case Management, Medicare Home Health Conditions of Participation, Billing Requirements, Documentation Compliance for Quality and Payment, Emergency Preparedness, Agency Operations, and PDGM.