Newsletter, periodic publication

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. Issue 1, Volume 3 explores mortality outcomes in Wyoming, Arizona and Connecticut.

Managed by the Home Care Quality Authority (HCQA), a public agency in Washington, this Registry is a customized internet-based system designed to match the needs of publicly funded in-home consumers/employers with pre-qualified individual providers. The day-to-day operations are administered by Referral and Workforce Resource Centers (RWRCs). Local sites offer programs and services including referral searches, a Resource Clearinghouse and outreach materials such as the attached newsletter.

Why is evaluation useful? How do you conduct a practical evaluation without straining resources? How can a program integrate evaluation activities into a project so that they become an asset rather than a burden? The answers to these questions and additional resources can be found in Volume 4 of the Community Living Brief.

HCBS.org News CLIPS highlights the important work of Real Choice Systems Change Grantees. In this issue, we have interviewed Dawn Lambert in Connecticut to discuss the key strengths and challenges faced during program implementation of their Nursing Facility Transitions to Independent Living Program. Find out the program basics, success strategies, stakeholder involvement techniques and the options for sustainability.

Long-term care providers are often skeptical of the value of engaging in government workforce development initiatives. This Issue Brief examines the reluctance to invest and highlights five examples of successful partnerships between employers and workforce development networks. Partnerships are seeking to change business as usual to improve the quality of care, increase the supply of direct care workers and promote greater workforce stability through higher retention and lower turnover.

Read about a new guide for private sector employers which recognizes the public sector system for its use of evidence-based behavioral health care services and recommends that employers use these services. This publication also includes:<br>+State Profile: Oklahoma’s Broad Spectrum Of Leaders Embrace Transformation<br>+Federal Partner Spotlight: Health Resources and Services Administration<br>+IOM Report Reinforces the Federal Action Agenda <br>+SAMHSA Helps Build on Local Strengths in the Gulf

Quality Councils: A Crucible for Change: Issue 1, Volume 2 takes a look at quality teams at work in four NCI States (Rhode Island, West Virginia, Massachusetts, Alabama). Councils are charged with various tasks: sharing views on data; identifying trends; suggesting additional outcomes and indicators; recommending targets for service improvements; and monitoring progress on targets over time. Please read on for a glimpse into their workings, achievements, and plans for the future.

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?

This is the fourth in a series of newsletters produced at the Exchange to provide assistance to our CMS Real Choice Systems Change grantees. This newsletter is produced biannually. Topics include: Building Nursing Home Transition into a Balanced Long-term Care System: The Washington Model, Individualized Back-up Planning and Independence Plus in Louisiana & New Hampshire, Participant-Centered Planning & Individual Budgeting, South Carolina's Care Call, and Money Follows the Person.