Business View Magazine - July 2023

123 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 10, ISSUE 7 THE FLORIDA SENIOR L IVING ASSOCIAT ION (OR FSLA) Gail Matillo is the FSLA’s president/CEO, and Jason Hand is its vice president of public policy and legal affairs. We recently spoke with them about all the FSLA does. Matillo said the group was created in order to improve industry-related laws and rules in the state of Florida. For a time, other states were surpassing Florida in this area. But the FSLA turned that around. “With Florida being a senior-friendly state, we wanted to make sure that we made this state attractive to those who wanted to retire,” Matillo said, adding that since 2013, “We’ve grown from representing 180 communities to over 475 communities, so we’re super-excited about our growth. And we think, here in Florida especially, assisted living is popular and will continue to grow as the aging population increases.” “We want to strengthen our communities,” Hand said. “We want to enrich our residents’ experience, empower staff success and enhance our national marketplace competitiveness. Everything we do, I try to filter through that lens.” He added that broad-based flexibility for FSLA members is a key to its success. Educational opportunities The FSLA is committed to offering excellent professional education opportunities. It strives to provide relevant courses for staffers. Its professional development program helps providers maintain compliance with licensing regulations. It provides opportunities for learning about new research and developments in caring for an aging population. FSLA programs offer the required core training, as well as 12-hour refreshers and quizzes for executive directors, in addition to many con-ed (or continuing-education) courses. Plus, the FSLA annually offers: a senior living conference, legislative advocacy and maintenance workshops and a senior living retreat with other states. In addition, there are Internet-based seminars (or “Webinars,” as they’re popularly known), monthly regional meetings and specialized training in pertinent topics. And there’s Leadership FSLA, a year-long comprehensive leadership course for those wanting to advance in their senior-living careers. By taking part in FSLA professional development programs, participants can earn con-ed credits for an ALF (assisted-living facility) administrator’s certification, network with other senior living professionals and take part in developing leadership skills to further their careers. The FSLA is an approved provider through con-ed brokers for nurses, nursing home administrators, public guardians and physical therapists. “It’s a broad and fascinating industry,” Hand remarked. Matillo agreed. “Senior living is such a big industry,”