The State Controlling Board approved a Department of Aging request to continue contracting with clinicians and public health experts to develop curriculum and provide on-site mentoring through the Excel Academy, a program targeted at improving practices in Ohio nursing facilities.

Alex Lapso, chief legislative officer for the Department of Aging, said the Excel Academy "administers clinical and technical assistance to Ohio's nursing facilities" and that the curriculum is evidence-based following recommendations from the governor's nursing home quality and accountability task force. "This particular request is to allow for us to continue to contract with medical experts, clinicians, public health experts and more who have been ingrained in our process to develop a course curriculum and then further provide on-site mentoring and trainings to the facilities that participate," Lapso said.

Senator Ingram asked whether the Academy’s work would be on-site rather than remote; Lapso confirmed the program includes staff who "go to each of the facilities and provide regular assistance throughout this entire process." Lawmakers also asked that the program address overlapping needs for aging people with disabilities and behavioral health conditions; Lapso said future courses will include modules addressing severe mental illness, behavioral health and brain health for residents meeting nursing facility levels of care.

The board approved the item with no objections. The transcript did not specify contract dollar amounts or the number of facilities to be served.