An Important Message from KSLA's President, Brian Durbin - KSLA & KAHCF/KCAL Enter into Strategic Partnership

Dear KSLA members,

I am pleased to announce an exciting initiative that will provide our members with continued quality support and enhanced resources as we all work together to navigate the rapidly changing regulatory environment for Kentucky Senior Housing providers.

Several months ago, Rebecca Pfalzgraf our Executive Director, and Adam Mather, former Kentucky Inspector General and current President, KAHCF/KCAL, discussed the possibility of forming a partnership between our two associations with the intent of creating a strategic and unified voice for advocacy, representation, and resources for our members as we navigate this challenging regulatory transition. Immediately following that discussion, Rebecca brought the proposal to the KSLA Board of Directors for consideration and discussion. It is on behalf of the KSLA Board of Directors that I write to you today to share more information about this unique and exciting partnership.

While KSLA continues to provide exceptional value to our membership as a stand-alone organization, your KSLA Board sees significant value and an unprecedented need for a single, unified voice on behalf of providers, given the unique challenges and regulatory complexities on the horizon. KSLA and KAHCF/KCAL, along with our other coalition partner, have worked collaboratively for several years on SB-11 legislature and regulatory reform, proving that a formal partnership can be beneficial for both organizations, and more importantly, our members. After all, any initiative that is best for assisted living in Kentucky should be a common initiative for any Kentucky assisted living association. That being the case, the KSLA Board felt it would be prudent to have an open and honest discussion to explore the potential benefits of a partnership, as well as any potential concerns.

Over the next several months, the KSLA board met several times, with and without KAHCF/KCAL staff, board and executive team members, to discuss what such an arrangement might look like. Throughout those discussions, our guiding principle was that the outcome of any partnership must add value for our provider members. We also felt it was critical that Rebecca continue to provide the leadership and oversight of this new collective group, and we were very pleased that KAHCF/KCAL agreed. So, our research continued.

Rebecca conducted additional due diligence by contacting Argentum to discuss how the partnering of our two associations could affect our relationship with them, as they are our national affiliate. Paul Williams, Argentum’s Vice President of Government Relations, said that Argentum often works in partnership with AHCA/NCAL (KAHCF/KCAL’s national affiliates) on joint initiatives. This relationship is one that they value, and whose joint activities have been beneficial to KSLA and other Argentum state partners and their members.

Mr. Williams gave Rebecca the names of three Argentum state partners whose state associations had combined with NCAL state associations. Rebecca contacted each one of those state partners to discuss how the combining of their associations with their NCAL counterparts has worked. During their discussions, those state partners confirmed what the KSLA Board of Directors had begun to suspect: it CAN be done, and it can be done WELL!

Some of the benefits of a partnership that those state partners shared with Rebecca included:

KSLA providers will only pay for one state membership, but they’ll receive the benefits of both state Associations
More educational opportunities
Combining resources and personnel presents a stronger, more unified front for legislative and regulatory advocacy
More opportunities for members to increase engagement by serving on committees
A more extensive conference experience with educational tracks specific to assisted living
Opportunity to participate in two national industry advocacy days in Washington D.C.
Additional association staff and resources to support initiatives on behalf of assisted living providers

In terms of next steps, the KSLA Board of Directors has unanimously voted to move forward with a strategic partnership, beginning today, and for at least the next 6 months as we work together to navigate the regulatory road ahead. We expect this partnership will go well and, assuming it does, we’ll evaluate how to best continue to work together on behalf of our providers across the Commonwealth.

As of today, Rebecca has assumed the role of Vice President of Assisted Living at KAHCF/KCAL and will work alongside the KAHCF/KCAL staff to be 100% dedicated to KSLA and KCAL providers on matters pertaining to assisted living. She will also continue to provide support to those apartment-style, private pay personal care homes that were unable to convert to ALC licensure.

Moving forward, Rebecca and the KSLA Board of Directors will periodically solicit feedback from KSLA members regarding the quality of services our members are receiving. KSLA exists to support your needs and thus, the feedback you provide will be very valuable as we evaluate how this strategic partnership is working, and if our members are experiencing the value of the combined resources and support that we anticipate with this change. We encourage you to contact Rebecca or a member of the KSLA Board with your questions or concerns (or your positive feedback!). See the contact information for the KSLA Board below, or you can reach Rebecca at Rebecca@KentuckySeniorLiving.org or 502-938-5102.

The KSLA board of directors is comprised of nine seasoned and highly invested senior living professionals, with a combined 204 years of experience in the industry that we love. We believe it is critical that there be continuity of KSLA leadership involved in all board activities pertaining to a partnership between the two associations. As such, we are excited and committed to continuing to serve on a combined assisted living Board of Directors, and on behalf of all KSLA providers. We appreciate your continued support of KSLA and the work you do on behalf of seniors across the Commonwealth. We will continue to work very hard to represent and support your needs through this transitional time in our industry.

Sincerely,

Brian Durbin, President, Kentucky Senior Living Association

KSLA Board of Directors Roster

July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025

President

Brian Durbin

President, Arcadia Communities, LLC

(O) (502) 357-7030

(M) (502) 777-0821

(E) brian.durbin@lunsfordcapital.com

Vice President

Jim Britt