Frequently asked questions about the LTSS Improvement Tool
DHS has designed a new way to gather feedback from people who receive services about their experience with long-term services and supports in Minnesota. The tool is built on recommendations from the National Quality Forum report, Quality in Home and Community-Based Services to Support Community Living: Addressing Gaps in Performance Measurement.
New tool
DHS launched Phase I of the Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Improvement Tool in fall 2017 as part of the MnCHOICES Support Plan application. Case managers will use it to gather feedback from older adults and people with disabilities who receive long-term services and supports. This feedback will help us to measure and improve quality and outcomes for home and community-based services.
The LTSS Improvement Tool is an essential part of quality oversight for DHS and lead agencies. We will use the data for required federal reporting, but the real value is in allowing us to measure how well our services help achieve outcomes that are important to people. Case managers can use feedback from recipients to address service quality for people and identify ways to improve services across systems and programs.
Vision
Using the LTSS Improvement Tool, we can gather a person’s feedback annually and compare data across HCBS programs and lead agencies (counties and tribal nations) in Minnesota. DHS will integrate this evaluation data with other data produced through the assessment process, service authorization/utilization and surveys. The goal is to demonstrate changes made at the individual, organizational and programmatic level and promote person-centered services and supports.