National Quality Improvement/Management Technical Assistance Center (NQC) Cooperative Agreement

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This announcement solicits applications for the National Quality Improvement/Management Technical Assistance Center (NQC). The NQC will provide training and technical assistance (T/TA) related to quality improvement and quality management to Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act of 2009 (Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program) grantees and funded providers to improve the quality of care and services and respond to and implement quality management legislative mandates. The purpose of the NQC cooperative agreement is to provide T/TA to Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWP) grantees and their constituents. In collaboration with HRSA HIV/AIDS Bureau (HAB), and other RWP stakeholders and partners, the cooperative agreement will engage in activities that transfer knowledge, skills, and practical help to grantees, providers, planning bodies, and other constituents in their work with funded RWPs in the areas of quality management. The cooperative agreement will focus on the information and T/TA needs of programs in developing and implementing quality management programs and assist RWP grantees in developing, implementing, and sustaining a program to track and improve quality of patient care outcomes. The T/TA provided through this cooperative agreement should assist grantees in prioritizing quality improvement strategies that narrow the quality gaps within a grantee's organization. T/TA should assist grantees to adapt a quality of care model by building systems and measuring processes for quality care and quickly spread successful improvement strategies. The key areas to be addressed in the T/TA for quality improvement include: 1) Leadership support to improve the system of care: Leadership (senior leaders within an organization) commitment is critical to the success of a quality management program. Leadership sets the direction regarding shared goals for performance and expectations for staff and stakeholders. In addition, leadership allocates the necessary resources for quality improvement. Leaders can support quality activities by a) building staff capacity for quality improvement through training, b) building staff motivation by involving all staff, c) dedicating time to measure performance, d) involving staff in analyzing the data to make shared decisions, e) setting priorities to identify specific areas for improvement, and f) facilitating provider buy-in. Provider buy-in is also crucial for implementation and sustained success for the quality management program. , 2) Infrastructure with resources and development of staff capacity: Continuous improvement and learning require a solid infrastructure with defined processes and dedicated staff participation. The cooperative agreement shall provide opportunities for staff education and training in quality improvement. The T/TA shall address how grantees should integrate quality management into the planning and implementation of care and treatment. The infrastructure should support performance measurement, evidence based practices, and sustainability. 3) Performance measurement: Performance measurement includes a standardized process for data collection to assist grantees in planning and improving care. 4) Quality improvement projects: A robust improvement process should assist grantees in implementing quality improvement projects through a systematic approach to ensure sustained improvements over time. 5) Routine feedback to leadership, staff and stakeholders: The feedback to leadership, staff and stakeholders is another priority area that will be a focus of the T/TA to grantees. The results and outcomes of the quality activities drive further improvements by increasing engagement of staff to measure and improve quality. The value of the collected data will increase when those providing the services see these data as the basis for efforts to improve quality. 6) Consumer engagement: Consumer engagement in quality improvement provides opportunity for grantees to improve the system of care. Engagement of consumers in quality improvement strategies can provide an understanding of the systemic changes and the processes to close the gaps in care. The process for consumer input and engagement has varied greatly in the past few years; the T/TA should identify best practices for grantees to engage consumers as an integral part of the quality management program. RWP grantees currently funded directly by HRSA are eligible to request technical assistance; however, T/TA will be provided to a diverse group of individuals, including administrative and direct service staff of state/local AIDS programs, RWP grantees and their subcontractors, other AIDS service organizations and community based organizations, members of RWP planning bodies, and consumers. Applicants must be able to demonstrate at least two (2) years experience in the fields of quality management, quality improvement, developing and disseminating informational materials, providing training or technical assistance to HIV/AIDS related organizations and constituencies on a national level. The scope of work for this cooperative agreement must also be proposed for a national level.

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