Single Point of Entry Evaluation

Funding Source: Michigan Department of Community Health, Office of Long Term Care Supports and Services

Project Period: October 2006 - September 2009

Project Coordinator: Julia Heany, PhD

The purpose of this project is to evaluate the activities conducted under MDCHs Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRC) grant funded by the Administration on Aging and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. This three year grant is supporting the development and implementation of a pilot single point of entry system for long-term care information and access. A coordinated, single system is intended to enhance consumer choice, reduce confusion, and facilitate informed decision making regarding long-term care planning. In Michigan, four ADRC sites have been established and provide the vehicle to achieve the goals of the grant. Over the course of the project, the evaluation will assess the extent to which each goal is achieved.

In addition, the evaluation team will collect data related to the reporting requirements specified in Michigans Public Act 634, legislation mandating the development of a single point of entry system for long-term care in the State. The MPHI-CDMTR evaluation team has been working with project partners, including consumers, to design the details of the evaluation. The evaluation team has focused on ensuring that evaluation measures are incorporated into the data management software (Service Point), providing technical assistance in the development of quality improvement data collection procedures, designing data collection instruments and protocols, and exploring potential uses of Michigans Data Warehouse.

The evaluation team is also designing evaluation surveys to assess the effectiveness of training events as well as measure consumer satisfaction with services. Data collection includes implementation of Information & Assistance and Options Counseling interviews and surveying ADRC stakeholders to complete a network analysis. One of the strengths of the evaluation is its participatory nature. Stakeholders from the State, the ADRCs, LTC agencies, consumer advocacy groups, and consumers have participated in monthly Evaluation Workgroup meetings. Members of the workgroup have discussed and reviewed each component of the evaluation. Furthermore, the Consumer Advisory Boards at each ADRC have provided input on tools and protocols, and have volunteered to collect data. The active involvement of stakeholders has strengthened the evaluation design and ensured that the evaluation will produce useful results.

Project Type: Evaluation