2003 Research and Demonstration Grants Quality Assurance and Quality Improvement in Home and Community Based Services
Ellen McClimans, Director
Bureau of Quality Improvement Services
3172341147
nmcclimans@fssa.state.in.us
Sharon Swanson, Project Director
Indiana Family and Social Services Administration
402 W Washington Street, PO Box 7083
Indianapolis, IN 462077083
3172342736
sswanson@fssa.state.in.us
Subcontractor(s)
None.
Individuals receiving services funded by the Aged and Disabled Waiver, the Medically Fragile Children's Waiver, the Traumatic Brain Injury Waiver, and the Assisted Living Waiver administered by the Bureau of Aging and In-Home Services.
The Indiana Division of Disability, Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DDARS)/Bureau of Aging and In-Home Services (BAIHS) supports a statewide in-home services program. A recently passed statute laid the framework for shifting the state's long-term care spending from predominately nursing homes to a greater reliance on home and community services. In January 2000, the Bureau of Quality Improvement Services (BQIS) was established to develop and implement quality assurance and quality improvement systems for all programs within the DDARS.
This grant will (1) develop mechanisms to obtain participant input into the development of QA/QI systems and ongoing feedback about services; (2) create consistent standards by which all providers must abide; (3) institute uniform policies and procedures across the various state agencies and contractors who provide services; and (4) develop information technology systems that will improve data collection and the ability to review trend information, make recommendations, implement processes to be put into place, and reevaluate the effectiveness of the systems. Overall, the project will develop a QA/QI system that facilitates communication and provides effective protection and support for participants.
Consumers are represented on the Consumer/Community Advisory council and its subcommittees, through the participation of the Indiana Home Care Task Force and the recruitment of individual consumers. Provider industry groups are also involved, as are numerous state agencies.