MN Region 10 Quality
Assurance Commission Receives Innovation Award
On
August 23, 2005 QA Commission Members and QA staff accepted the State of
Minnesota Department of Human Services 2005 Odyssey Service Innovation Award
on behalf of the MN Region 10 QA Commission and Stakeholders. The
Odyssey Innovation Award was given to “an individual or organization who has
championed innovations in direct services, coordination of services,
community-based partnerships and increased the resilience, interdependence and
quality of life for seniors or people with disabilities in their communities”. Presenting the award to the QA Commission was
Mary Alice Mowry, Manager of Access,
Employment & Accountability from the Minnesota Department of Human
Services; and Jean Wood, Manager of Development & Contracts and Deputy
Director of the Minnesota Board on Aging.
Pictured above from left to right:
Mary Alice Mowry, Karen Larson, Larry Riess, John Jordan, Cindy
Ostrowski, Dan Zimmer and Jean Wood. The
Innovation Award Reads: Certificate
of Commendation “In
recognition of service innovations that enhance the quality of life for people
with developmental disabilities in the State of Minnesota, by developing the VOICE
Quality Assurance and licensing process, this certificate is presented to: Minnesota Region 10 Quality
Assurance Commission With the appreciation and
respect of the people of Minnesota” “I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great
Seal of the State of Minnesota to be affixed at the Capitol in the City of
Saint Paul, August 22, 2005.” Signed
Tim Pawlenty, Governor
State of Minnesota, Office of The Governor On
behalf of the QA Commission, I would like to thank all of the Stakeholders for
your passion and hard work in making the Quality Assurance and licensing system
a successful alternative system that makes a positive difference for people. Without you, this would not be possible. 2005 Legislative Update Thanks
to many letters of support from Stakeholders, personal testimonies in committee
meetings, and support from our legislators, the QA Commission’s legislation
passed during the special session this year.
The QA legislation supports the QA Commission through June 30, 2009 with
an appropriation for continuation and expansion through June 30, 2007. The random selection for interviewing people
receiving support through a licensed program was amended to read, a minimum of
two individuals or 5% of individuals supported. Please note that the county Quality Assurance Review Council has
the ability to recommend the completion of more VOICE interviews as needed. QA Expansion Efforts
Continue QA
staff and area stakeholders have traveled to meet with Arc staff and stakeholders
from the Arc SW, Arc Central, and Arc Headwaters areas. There is interest in starting QA efforts and
VOICE
reviews in surrounding counties within these areas of the state. The QA Commission and staff are working with
these three Arc Chapters and stakeholders in providing QA planning grants to
support QA informational meetings and task force meetings. Region 10 Stakeholders Brain
Injury Community Update The Stakeholders Brain Injury
Committee has developed a needs survey to determine what kind of information,
education or support is needed in the 11 county Region 10 area for individuals
having brain injuries, family members and friends. This survey was recently mailed out. Please fill out the survey or pass it on to a friend or family
member who might have needs in this area.
The committee will be publishing the survey in area newspapers as
well. We hope information gathered
through the survey will be helpful in knowing what type of support and
education is needed in different areas of Region 10. We want to make an effort to reach out to those who might need
additional information and education and/or refer them to professional supports
who might be able to assist them. Legislative Home Visit –
District 31 Forum set in Winona for Thursday, November 3, 2005 from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the
Winona ORC located at 1053 E Mark ST., Winona, MN 55987. Confirmed Legislators: Representative
Gene Pelowski. Invited Legislators:
Senator Bob Kierlin and Representative Greg Davids. If you live or work in Senate District 31, which includes
the Southeastern tip of Minnesota, Winona and its surrounding areas, we hope
you will plan on attending this very important event. Bring your friends,
neighbors or others who share your concerns about brain injury issues.
Please help us get the word out to people you know. Please
call Harry Nevling for more
information at 507 289-8989. QA Team Training The
next QA Team training will be held on October 4th, 5th
and ½ a day on October 11th.
This is your opportunity to get involved in VOICE reviews and help
make a difference for people. For an
application, contact LeAnn Bieber at 507 775-6586 or e-mail her at bieber.leann@co.olmsted.mn.us Resource Catalog Committee
Meeting Update A
small group of Stakeholders met to discuss how we can improve our Resource Catalog
and make it more useful to all Stakeholders.
We will be making changes to the current “nomination” process so that
all Stakeholders are able to submit a resource idea for review and possible
entry to the Resource Catalog. We will
be developing and setting up an on-line and mail in resource form for
submitting resources as well as an on-line and hard copy version of the catalog
to share with Stakeholders. Cindy Ostrowski, Director (507) 932-0292 or qacommis@rconnect.com Visit the QA Commission website at: www.mn-voice.org |
