Quality Improvement Planning

1. Quality Improvement Planning Cyndi McAleer, M.Ed. Preschool Program Specialist, PA Key

2. Continuous Quality Improvement • What is it? • Process of identifying, describing and analyzing strengths and areas for growth • Developing a plan that includes benchmarks, timelines, assigned tasks and measurable goals for improvement • Testing and implementing solutions • Evaluating the results and revising the plan • Ongoing process by which to make decisions and evaluate progress

3. Continuous Quality Improvement • The philosophy of CQI • Grounded in the overall mission, vision and values of the program • Dependent on the active involvement of staff, families, children and other stakeholders at all levels • All programs can be improved • Plans and decisions based on objective data • Can be implemented at all levels of the organization

4. Continuous Quality Improvement • Living the CQI • Use the continuous quality improvement model to meet higher levels of quality by making small, incremental changes • Is most effective when it becomes a natural part of the way work is done on a daily basis “Change that lasts is slow and gradual” Kaizen

5. Continuous Quality Improvement • An effective plan • Should incorporate both a program’s plans for the future and • Identifies needed efforts to meet program compliance • Has identified areas and strategies for improvement • Incorporates new outcomes based on program hopes and vision • These should be joined together to • Create a CQI plan that is meaningful, achievable and ongoing

6. Continuous Quality Improvement • A continuous quality improvement plan is required for PA Pre K Counts & Keystone Stars • Should be a working document • Revised annually • Can, and should, be customized to work for the individual program • PKC CQI can be a sub-set of an existing strategic or quality improvement plan • Must be completed by each lead and partner • Is part of the review/monitoring process

7. Continuous Quality Improvement Plan Process • Before you begin - Set the Vision • Define what you truly want to achieve • A shared “picture” of the future creates ownership and commitment rather than forced compliance • Determine how it fits into your overall mission • What are the expectations of • Outcomes for children? • For professional practice and staff development? • How we strategically use program resources? • How we support quality and effective leadership?

8. The process Act Plan Do Study

9. PLAN • Define and analyze the current process • Ask these questions: • What is working well? Can it be improved? • What are the problems or challenges? • What are the sources of evidence? • What do we want to change? • What is the current process? • How do we know if our plan is successful?

10. PLAN • 4 components MUST be included • Sources of evidence • Variety of sources needed • Goals, Objectives and Strategies • What do you want to accomplish? • Clearly defined and measurable • Outline action steps • Timeline/Person Responsible • check in dates and dates for completion • Identify resources and supports needed • Follow-up/Ongoing Review • establish a procedure for ongoing review – at least annually • STARS – also requires alignment with a quality standard

11. The Plan • Sources of Evidence • Typical assessments that provide information about the quality of services in the facility • Feedback from ERS and monitoring visits, Self-assessments, PRI • Safety reviews • Program assessments – surveys, etc. • Strategic plan • Staff & Family input • Note: STAR 3 facility – 4 sources, STAR 4 - 5

12. Continuous Quality Improvement Plan Process • DO • Implement the Plan • Ask these questions: • Are the timelines working? • Is our follow up and implementation disciplined (are we “working the plan”)? • How do we embed follow-up throughout the year? • Are we executing the plan?

13. Continuous Quality Improvement Plan Process • STUDY • Evaluate, track and reflect on how the process for improvement is working and the results of the implementation efforts • Ask these questions: • How is the process working? • Was our plan successful? • What still needs improvement? • Are there mid-course adjustments needed?

14. Continuous Quality Improvement Plan Process • ACT • Incorporate changes, improvements and adjustments into the CQI process for the next round • Write/revise policies and procedures that support the changes • Develop strategies to embed the improvements into operations • Celebrate successes and • Begin again….

15. The Plan • Format • There is no required format – use what works for you • Child care should follow the requirements in the STARS system • Plan Elements • Background Information • Facility information • Overall time frame for the plan (usually 1 year) • Facility size and projected grant requests (if applicable)

16. The Plan • Format - Goal Planning section • Setting goals is more than just deciding what you want to do- it’s figuring out what you need to do to get where you want to go – and how long it will take to get there! • Clearly written goals – one type per page • Identify if it’s short term or long term • Align with a standard or criterion • S.M.A.R.T.

17. The Plan • S.M.A.R.T. • Specific - who, what, where, when, which, why • Measurable – concrete criteria • Attainable – how will you go about reaching it? • Realistic - something which you are both willing and able to work towards • Timely – grounded within a time frame

18. summary • CQI • C – continuous. The process should be ongoing and be used periodically to review progress toward goals • Q – quality. The goal is to strive for higher and higher quality. • I – improvement – There’s always room to grow!