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Quality Communication #10 represents another in a series of CMS communications to support state efforts to improve the quality of services and supports. The letter announces the final revised working draft of the 1915 (c) Waiver Application, Instructions and Technical Guide, Resource Documents, and the CMS Review Instrument. This is the version that CMS is currently automating for use as a web-based application available for use in early February 2006.

<i>A Guide for People with Disabilities, Benefits Counselors, Disability Organizations and Others On Transitioning to the Medicare Part D</i> Many organizations are developing materials to assist duel eligibles; however this guide was written specifically for people with disabilities. Written in a question and answer format, the guide includes worksheets to use when consulting physicians about pharmaceuticals and in comparing and selecting a plan.

The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) issued a RFP for an independent contractor to conduct consumer surveys by soliciting consumer feedback. DADS provides a comprehensive array of aging and disability services, supports, and opportunities that are easily accessed in local communities. The project will survey people recieving services through face to face interviews and mailings. This document serves as a guide for other grantees looking to prepare an RFP.

Minnesota's Shared Master Index will allow for the efficient exchange of information. By assigning each human services client an individual identification number that is used across multiple service delivery systems, the Shared Master Index (SMI) will allow caseworkers to view and assess the range of services that individual clients and families are receiving, and allow program managers and policy-makers to improve coordination of services and client outcomes.

What is the vision of “quality” in community support for people with developmental disabilities? Quality is a concept of many dimensions. This website is your invitation to join the quality community in its journey to fulfill the vision of a positive future for all people with developmental disabilities. The site offers webinars, resources, publications, tools and links.

The Virginia Real Choice Systems Change Grantees have developed a website designed to help individuals with disabilities and those who support them learn more about self-direction. The site is a place for self-advocates to find training modules, waivers workbooks, person-centered resources, and other materials related to consumer-directed services.

North Carolina's Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services has posted a number of great resources to their website related to quality. A sampling of the forms, manuals and recent reports includes: The Quality Management Survey, a Consumer Satisfaction Survey, forms on Critical Incident, Quarterly Reports, and reporting guidelines for local management entities in their annual Quality Improvement Reports.

This is the first newsletter of the National Core Indicators (NCI) program. The publication is designed to keep you abreast of developments and best practices in performance and outcome measurement as exemplified in initiatives among NCI participants. Issue 1, Volume 1 explores Self-Advocates in Vermont, Surveys used in California and Pennsylvania, and a new video from Kentucky called \"Team Up for Success\".

A special edition of <i>Health Progress Magazine</i> focuses on the theme of Workplace Issues. The November-December 2005 journal has a number of great articles about the long-term care workforce. Titles include the Turnover Turnaround, Breaking the Turnover Cycle, and Who Will Care for the Caregivers?

As turnover among direct care workers continues at very high rates, providers need to implement solutions that work and employee surveys can be an important tool in understanding staff satisfaction. This guide was developed to help organizations improve their use of measurement tools to understand direct care workforce problems and to inform their solutions. LTC providers and researchers can use the 12 instrument measures to assess monitor and improve the work environment.