AGING AND DISABILITY SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
July 20, 2004
ADSA: BH #2004-013
RECENT Educational Sessions
Dear Boarding Home Provider:
I want to personally thank those of you who attended the recent Residential Care Services (RCS) communications sessions, “Residents First, Communicating for a Better Outcome”. The RCS management team was pleased to have the opportunity to meet with staff and providers to answer questions and provide accurate information. In our continued commitment to improve communications with providers, we discussed:
- The RCS mission and our common goals with providers
- Tools, such as exit conference protocols
- The threshold for finding deficient practices
- Provider letters as the department’s vehicle for informing providers about emerging issues and updated requirements
- Communication Principles & Procedures (online at http://www.aasa.dshs.wa.gov/professional/default.htm#rc)
In addition, a panel of your peers and regional RCS staff also presented excellent examples of communications are effective in working together to enhance the quality of life of residents.
Session participants stated that the following were the most valuable pieces of information they took from this session:
- Tips from providers on open, proactive communication with DSHS
- Utilization of ADSA website resources and the value of reading “Dear Provider” letters
- An expanded understanding of the inspection process
- Understanding of deficient practice/citations
Participants committed to the following actions:
- Gain an understanding of the new regulations
- Communicate more freely with DSHS and increase use of DSHS as a resource
- Help the staff feel comfortable with the licensors
- Participate more fully in the Informal Dispute Resolution process
- Increase staff training
RCS is committed to our partnership with the boarding home provider community to better serve the residents. I encourage open dialogue with RCS staff to remain informed and proactively solve problems. Attending your
Regional Quality Forum is another way to be proactive in your service to your residents.
Sincerely,
Patricia Lashway, Director
Residential Care Services
