Quality

Looking for current and accurate information regarding CMS policy on HCBS waiver quality oversight? Need technical assistance in developing a quality improvement strategy or evidence package? The new NQC website is the CMS-sponsored location for policy, statutory and technical assistance materials and contacts to guide states’ in their ongoing quality improvement efforts. Website features include discussions and questions, file vault, announcements and Participant Experience Survey Users’ Group.

In response to the CFSR, states must prepare a Program Improvement Plan (PIP) that addresses deficiencies and builds upon strengths. The reviews examine several aspects of child welfare agency performance including outcomes for children as well as systemic factors supporting agency services. This brief summarizes specific effort in Rhode Island to address deficiencies in the Quality Assurance (QA) Systemic factor documented in PIPs completed in response to CFSR reviews between 2001 and 2003.

This report describes grant activities (accomplishments and progress) in three major LTC systems areas: Access to LTC Services and Supports, Services, Supports, and Housing, Administrative and Monitoring Infrastructure. The report also provides illustrative examples of the challenges Grantees have faced as they implement grant activities, and consumers’ roles in the implementation and evaluation of these activities.

The Arizona Consumer-Driven Quality Improvement System Project developed two survey instrument to gather information regarding the attendant care services that consumers receive from the Division of Developmental Disabilities. They have also shared their EAzI(Empowering Arizona’s Individuals with Developmental Disabilities) Quality Traits which were created to assist in developing a survey instrument specific to the service quality needs of consumers who use Home and Community Based Services.

This policy outlines the role and function of the Delaware Health and Social Services, Division of Developmental Disabilities Services Performance Analysis Committee. This group plays a central part in the collection, analysis and reporting of data in relation to performance indicators identified by various stakeholders as important in a state MR/DD program. The policy offers definitions, standards, procedures, and a flow chart to illustrates their continuous quality improvement cycle.

This is the latest 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. Volume 2, Issue 1 explores the work in two states referred to as performance measurement mavens - Texas (the New Kid on the Block) and Washington (Seasoned and Going Strong).

The Georgia QA/QI Real Choice Systems Change grant employed a variety of person centered planning (PCP) techniques in order to change services to fit the needs of consumers. This document is a variety of flyers and notices that the grantee used in order to recruit consumers to participate in its PCP focus and planning groups.

As part of the Georgia QA/QI Real Choice Systems Change grant, an evaluation of the Person-Centered Planning (PCP) program was conducted. Part of this includes the outline for planning and creating PCP groups, and a list of resources for effective use of PCP. Also included is the final survey given to PCP participants and information on sustaining person-centered planning.

The 7th CMS New Freedom Initiative Conference was held March 5-7 in Baltimore. Presentations are available in both PDF and text formats. “Choice and Independence” is a key pillar of CMS’ vision for a person-centered long term services and supports system for the future. The 2007 conference focused on the policies, programs, and tools -including opportunities authorized by the Deficit Reduction Act– available to shape and carry out the vision.

People Talking to People Building Quality and Making Change Happen accomplishes not just a system change, but also a paradigm shift. Their goal is to create a system of quality assurance and quality improvement that has consumers providing feedback. The feedback gathered during the three year period allows for system wide quality improvement by giving consumers and their family members a voice, thus able to control important choices and decisions in their own lives.