Davis Lays Out Vision for the Future of Quality Improvement

Why do we do this? Does it make sense? Is what we are doing beneficial? 

Anne Davis is using these questions as a guide in her new role as Bureau of Quality Improvement Services (BQIS) Director to ensure that the Bureau's work is appropriately focused on true quality improvement. Breaking away from the idea that we continue to do things because "we've always done [them] this way," Davis is looking to develop processes in partnership with providers and other stakeholders so that BQIS activities are meaningful. 

Davis shared with attendees at the May INARF Quarterly Professional Interest Section meeting how she is using these inquiries to shape the Bureau's work for the next year. Specifically, she identified her "bucket list" of system improvements that should work together to result in quality providers, appropriate monitoring, meaning full data analysis, and effective technical assistance. 

The common themes associated with these improvements include the efficient collection of pertinent information and data; reasonable timeframes for thoughtful analysis and planning; and assurance of appropriate training and support. From Davis' perspective, the efforts should result in proactive service improvements developed collaboratively through reliance on relevant data. 

Davis' remarks built on comments she shared earlier that week during the Quarterly Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services Provider Meeting. In addition to her comments on the direction of BQIS, the Provider meeting featured remarks from the:
 
- Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services on Family Support Waiver targeting project and efforts to gather feedback on the Community Integration and Habilitation Waiver re-write. 
- Bureau of Child Development on recent cluster changes and new federal requirements to develop a State Systemic Improvement Plan. 
- Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation Services on the draft 2015 Vocational Rehabilitation State Plan, which focuses efforts on quality outcomes for individuals placed in competitive employment. 

The DDRS Provider meeting wrapped up with comments from Division Director Nicole Norvell highlighting accomplishments from the last year and outlining DDRS key issues and initiatives moving forward. These initiatives include responding to the new definition of Home and Community-Based Services by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and improving the information provided to support consumers in learning about and selecting service providers.