Outcome Data Analysis
Posted by: CQL on 12/29/2006
Filed under: New Jersey
* New Jersey Department of Human Services Division of Developmental Disabilities*
Quality Improvement Unit (QIU)
The Situation
The New Jersey Division of Developmental Disabilities, Quality Improvement Unit (QIU) determined that service provision in New Jersey should focus on promoting outcomes in the lives of people with developmental disabilities. The Division envisioned building on its current skill and resources to increase the internal capacity of the state to encourage and support provider organizations to focus all operations on:
- protecting the health, safety, and human security of people;
- learning about people; and
- using that knowledge to plan and deliver services that increase outcomes in the lives of people.
The QIU developed a multi-faceted approach to its vision of a person-centered approach to service delivery.
What CQL Did
CQL, in partnership with the Quality Improvement Unit, designed and delivered training and technical assistance to the staff assigned of that unit. Training included strategies for conducting program audits using a person-centered approach, and the analysis of Personal Outcome data and data from all statewide quality assurance and quality improvement sources. Ongoing work included support in statewide quality improvement/enhancement planning efforts. Several QIU employees completed the CQL Interviewer Certification.
CQL staff also collected interview information for 100 people in the four state regions. These interviews and data analysis were unique. We conducted two follow-up interviews for each of the 100 people — one with the provider of supports/services and the other with the Service Coordinator. Determinations were made for each of the follow-up interviews separately. The analysis reflected the differences and similarities found between the two entities in supporting people across the state. This provided the Division with valuable information for moving forward. The Quality Improvement Unit gained baseline data on community services that described the Outcomes and Supports present in the lives of people with disabilities in New Jersey community services.