Quality and Integrity

Quality and Program Integrity has the mission to advocate for the rights, choices and interests of all people with disabilities and families served by The Arc of Middlesex.  We strive to identify new ways to achieve a continuous quality improvement program through offering the best practices in staff training, Individual Habilitation Plan (IHP) development and monitoring, and outcomes management for participants and families.  The health, safety, financial stability, and community involvement of the people we serve are our primary focus.  

Outcomes Management and continuous quality improvement is one focus.  The Administrator works with management, staff, participants and families to identify, measure, evaluate, and modify the quality of life and quality of services provided to the agency’s stakeholders.  Satisfaction surveys, analysis of Unusual Incident Report data, assurance of CARF and licensing standards are all part of the framework used to examine quality.  The definition of “quality” is continuously changing which challenges this department to build networks, forecast system issues, access information technology, and stay in touch with the people currently affiliated with The Arc of Middlesex, as well as our future consumers.  

Staff training is another area in Quality and Program Integrity.  This Department provides continuous training to new and experienced staff.  The Arc of Middlesex is the lead trainer for the region therefore; most staff from agencies in the Middlesex County area receives their training from the agency.   Training is provided in the Division of Developmental Disabilities’ (DDD) required modules of First Aid, CPR, Medication, Abuse and Neglect, and Overview of Developmental Disabilities.  The training department also trains new staff in Agency Orientation, Individual Habilitation Planning, Behavior Modification, and Seizure Management.  They arrange for outside trainers in such courses as Crisis Management, Dental Hygiene and Defensive Driving.  They also provide specialized training as needed, such as a program for specific medication concerns, abuse and neglect, and concerns about rights restrictions.  Currently Arc of  Middlesex has two staff trained to be a trainer in Vineland Crisis Management.  

Representative Payeeship was added to this department in 2003.  As part of a pilot, The Arc of  Middlesex became the representative payee for 28 individuals who previously had DDD as their payee.  This pilot may expand to eventually monitor individuals’ contribution to cost of care for all residents.  This position is also responsible for monitoring asset limits to protect benefits and Medicaid/Medicare, monitoring Medicaid/Medicare charges, and reporting individuals’ wages to Social Security.  In addition, the SSI Accounts Specialist conduct quarterly financial reviews for each resident throughout the year.

Click here or on the image below to download and read the results of a recent quality survey.