According to their website, the CQL works with human service organizations and systems to continuously define, measure, and improve the quality of life and quality of services for youth, adults, and older adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and psychiatric disabilities. They also offer accreditation, training, certification, research, and consultation services to agencies with similar vision.[1] The organization has done impressive work within the I/DD community by providing a person-centered approach to their research and working as an advocate for higher quality of care.

We are grateful Donna Martin from   who recently presented at the Rehabilitation and Community Providers (RCPA) Conference, “Managed Care Quality Measures for I/DD Services”. She broke down the 5 POMs created by CQL as part of their person-centric vision and grouped 21 different personal outcome indicators such as being treated fairly, choosing where they work, having friends, and personal goals, into 5 major groups.

• My Human Security
  • Non negotiable human and civil rights
• My Community
  • To be in, a part of, and included in the community
• My Relationships
  • Social support, familiarity, intimacy, and belonging
• My Choices
  • Decisions about one’s life and community
• My Goals
  • Dreams and aspirations for the future

CQL has a pretty incredible   showing the interviews done that helped them build the Personal Outcome Measures. You can get a clear picture of the approach they took and how important these topics are to the community.

The other source of quality measures comes from (NCI). This is a voluntary effort by public developmental disabilities agencies to measure and track their own performance. The core indicators give us a standard measure across multiple states and assess outcomes for both individuals and families. The NCI has 5 areas they count as indicators.

• Individual Outcomes
  • Community, Relationships, & Choice
• Health, Welfare, and Rights
  • Safety & Security
  • Health & Wellness
  • Protection and Respect of rights
• System Performance
  • Service Coordination
  • Access to Services
  • Utilization of supports and participation in decisions
• Staff Stability
  • Staff competence
• Family Indicators
  • Family Involvement and Outcomes
  • Access, Choice, and Control
  • Information and Planning

These two levels of measuring quality have given us giant leaps forward as we start to create a Value Based Payment (VBP) environment around the I/DD community. By learning how quality to the individuals and family needs to be measured, state’s and Managed Care Organizations (MCO’s) can build a strong foundation that will give the I/DD community the power of choice. The have quality over quantity and have it given them a higher quality of life. Our readers can see in depth reports from the participating states at the website.

Advocates Perspective: Building off the last blog, we believe these quality measures only strengthen the advice to move now! While these measures are not exhaustive, they are strong and give states, payers, and providers the framework they need. Start by becoming more informed! Take the time learn about your states offerings and what standards have been defined. Then take a look at your own organization and see where you can make adjustments. Value based payments in the I/DD community is on the horizon!

Onward!

Fady Sahhar & Mandy Sahhar