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The
Region 10 Stakeholders are a group of people from the eleven counties
in Region 10 Minnesota who volunteer their time. They meet three times per year and work to improve the support
system for individuals with developmental disabilities and brain
injuries. Stakeholders are people who
receive support services, family members, conservators, advocates, interested
citizens, support providers, educators, county representatives and state
representatives. There is NO election
process. Anyone who wants to attend
the Stakeholder meetings is welcome to attend. If you would like more information on the Stakeholder Meetings,
you can contact Arc SE Minnesota at 1-888-732-8520 or call Cindy Ostrowski at
(507) 932-0292.
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QA Expansion Update
Pictured at left are
Stakeholders from the Arc Headwaters area who are exploring QA efforts in
their area. Dan Zimmer and Cindy
Ostrowski will be traveling to Arc Headwaters in December for another
meeting with their Stakeholders and task force members.
QA staff have also been
assisting Stakeholders from the Arc SW, Arc Central, and Arc Great Twin
Cities with education and outreach in exploring how VOICE might be used as a resource for improving quality
of supports in their area of the state.
QA staff are also working
with St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center, Senior Services staff, in Wabasha, MN
to implement a pilot using VOICE reviews to improve the quality of support services to older adults
receiving support in the nursing home and assisted living setting.
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Pictured above are
Stakeholders who
assisted with the Strategic Planning. |
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November 16, 2005 QA
Commission Members, QA Team Members and QA Review Council Members came
together at Ironwood Springs Christian Ranch to discuss priorities and the
long term vision for the QA Commission. Although bad weather kept some Stakeholders off the roads, we had
great feedback and ideas flowing from those who did attend.
Thank you for your participation! |
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- Without question, the VOICE process with its person-driven approach must be maintained.
- To maintain the quality and high integrity of the process, it is
essential that there be adequate numbers of trained and committed
Quality Assurance Teams to ensure a positive and unbiased approach.
- VOICE reviews remains the key element of QAC success and should be given the
highest priority.
- Focus should be on conducting VOICE reviews on schedule and
maintaining adequate numbers of trained QATs.
- Develop a comprehensive business plan outlining activities, timelines,
costs, and funding sources.
- Continue to recruit other counties in Region 10.
- As specified in the legislation, there must be evidence of expansion
into other regions or service areas. Priority should be given to supporting those efforts already underway:
St. Elizabeth’s, Arc Central, Arc SW, Arc Headwaters.
Priorities for expanding
funding resources and human resources:
- Explore Quality
Assurance becoming a MA vendor.
- Continue legislative
funding efforts. Look at becoming
a mandated service in order to strengthen sustainability of funding.
- Expand legislative
resources outside of Region 10 and beyond Rep. Bradley and Sen. Kiscaden
such as Senator Berglin
- Enlist corporate
support to champion QA to legislators such as Senator Bob Kierlen.
- Explore possibility of
federal funding in addition to state funding.
- Ramp up efforts to
increase committed people for QA by using QATs, commissioners, speakers,
etc., to tell the story of VOICE.
(507) 932-0292 or qacommis@rconnect.com
Visit the QA Commission website at: www.mn-voice.org
Get Involved in Your Community and Make a Difference
VOICE
Quality Assurance Team Training
January 9th, 10th & 12th ( ½ day)
Quality Assurance Team Training is an excellent
opportunity to meet new people, gain new skills and make a difference in
improving the quality of supports to people in your community.
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Meet some of
our Quality Assurance Team Members.
(Pictured at left) Winona Area QATs: Peter, Mary, Tina, Nancy, & Sue
(Pictured below) Judy, Adam & Nathan at QA Team
Training
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BENEFITS OF VOICE FROM A PERSON RECEIVING SUPPORT
“As a person
receiving support services I see many benefits from the VOICE
review process. I have a voice.
People hear my voice. People think
that what I have to say is very important. I am planning my future and people are helping me with that.
My team is now working with me on my dreams. I got to run my own team meeting. “
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BENEFITS OF A VOICE REVIEW
FROM A MOM’S POINT OV VIEW
“As a Mom of a
young man receiving support services I see many benefits from the VOICE
review
process. I see for the first time in my son’s life a team of
people listening to my son’s wants, needs, hopes, and dreams. I
see my son’s voice is important just as important as everyone
else’s voice. I see that the VOICE review contains the truth
about my son. I see for the first time my son taking control of his
life. I see that my voice as a Mom doesn’t have to be as loud
because the VOICE review and my
son’s voice is finally loud enough for all to hear.”
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Tressie, Nathan & Aaron at QA
Team Training
QA
Team Training
Harry, Ruth Ann & Brian
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SUPPORT PROVIDERS HAVE THIS TO SAY ABOUT
THE QA TEAM TRAINING AND THE VOICE
PROCESS:
“Terrific staff
training tool and resource.”
“This is what
person centered planning is all about.”
“Staff report
enjoying the VOICE reviews.”
“Staff know it
will benefit the person and they will learn something.”
“Staff learn
how to do something better.”
“Great means to
challenge staff looking for growth opportunities.”
“Helps staff
see ‘big picture’ of supports and their place in it.” |
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BENEFITS OF BEING A SUPPORT
PROVIDER QAT
“As a QAT you
will get an opportunity to experience many different things. Training
challenges you to look at situations in ways you might not have
before. You have the opportunity to
meet people and help them voice what they want out of their life and their
supports. You have the opportunity to tell Quality Circles what great
things they are doing as well as bring out what things they need to do
better on. You will meet and connect with other QAT’s that are different
stakeholders than yourself and they will help you see supports from another
perspective. All these experiences will enable you to become better at
your job and help the people that you support.”
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Isn’t it time for you and/or your agency to get involved and be part of
a community effort to make a positive difference for people? Training is free and is offered through the
MN Region 10 Quality Assurance Commission.
Stipends are available for individuals who are not paid by a support
agency for their time during the training and VOICE review. For more information and for your
application, call LeAnn Bieber at (507) 775-6586.
(507) 932-0292 or qacommis@rconnect.com
Visit the QA Commission website at: www.mn-voice.org
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