2003 Research and Demonstration Grants — Quality Assurance and Quality Improvement in Home and Community Based Services

MISSOURI

Grant Information

Name of Grantee
Department of Health and Senior Services
Title of Grant
Missouri's Quality Assurance and Quality Improvement Project
Type of Grant
Quality Assurance and Quality Improvement in Home and Community Based Services
Amount of Grant
$500,000
Year Original Funding Received
2003

Contact Information

Vicki Keller
Program Development Specialist
DHSS Section for Senior Services
920 Wildwood Drive
PO Box 570
Jefferson, MI 65102
573–526–7884
kellev@dhss.state.mo.us

Project Director to be appointed.


Subcontractor(s)

To be determined by an RFP process in first year of the grant.

Target Population(s)

Participants in all the state's home and community based services waiver programs.

Goals

Activities

Abstract

The Department of Health and Senior Services will be the lead agency for the development and administration of this grant, in partnership with the Departments of Mental Health, Elementary and Secondary Education, and Social Services.

The overall objective of this project is to ensure the health and safety of persons who receive home and community services and those persons considering long-term care options for remaining in or returning to the community.

Grant funds will be used to support the interagency collaboration needed to develop a comprehensive, statewide system for tracking issues related to HCBS waiver services in community settings. Many state agencies have begun developing such systems or are in the initial stages of implementation of various quality assurance mechanisms. The ultimate goal of this project is to develop a consistent method of gathering quality assurance data for all HCBS waiver programs and use the data to identify and address problem areas. The system will also provide the basis for improved reporting capabilities to the state Medicaid agency.

The project will also develop a formal client survey to assess the needs and concerns of in-home service participants. This tool will be offered to all state agencies and administrative agents for use in obtaining data that can be put into their systems, the end result being to expedite complaints to ensure that client health and welfare are protected. The solicitation of input from program participants will be an integral part of the project.