NEWS

First Three Practice Communities of NQCN Identified

Based on the preliminary recommendations that came out of the National Summit in October, the RCI has launched the National Quality Care Network (NQCN). One of the core activities of the NQCN is: identifying, disseminating and developing evidence-based interventions, clinical guidelines, standards of care, and workforce development strategies to achieve quality in long-term, home and community-based care.

It is our aim to develop a national network of people and organizations who are pioneers and leaders in these areas,” said Dr. Richard Birkel, Executive Director of the RCI. “The RCI will facilitate communication within that network, and help members learn from one another what works and what does not.”

The RCI recognizes that there are many strategies to achieve quality, so our plan is to create separate “focus networks” within the larger NQCN; each of the focus networks being devoted to a particular “strategy” aimed at achieving quality.

The first focus network to be identified is the evidence-based practice community, which includes five sites around the country implementing evidence-based programs for Alzheimer’s caregivers. These sites are sharing their common concerns, problems, promising practices, and success with one another during a regular phone conference. See more about these sites in the Quality Care Connections story.

Another critical “practice community” of the NQCN will emphasize workforce development strategies. Members will be comprised of leading researchers and practitioners striving to create impactful workforce development programs.

The GQCN is the first state level “practice community” of the NQCN. The GQCN is a state-wide network of agencies, coalitions and other stakeholders committed to improving the quality of home and community-based services in the RCI’s home state.

Georgia’s CARE-NETs will serve a dual role in the GQCN – they will serve as the GQCN’s first members and also help identify potential members. For over a decade, CARE-NETs have been a part of the RCI’s structure. These 12 CARE-NETs represent each Area Agency on Aging district in Georgia. The CARE-NETs have been supported by grants from the Pew Charitable Trusts, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and the Administration on Aging. These active and ongoing coalitions are highly suited to address the major needs of all caregivers.

We are excited about the first three practice communities in the NQCN and the innovative work currently being done in the caregiving field. The NQCN will create a workable structure to ease integration of work being done and draw attention to pioneers and promising strategies in the field.