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Lead States in Public Health Quality Improvement, a Multi-State Learning Collaborative
Quality Improvement Program Manager Position
NNPHI is seeking a program manager to lead the development and implementation of the quality improvement components of the MLC project. To view the position description, click: NNPHI Quality Improvement Program Manager
About the Multi-State Learning Collaborative
In late 2006, ten states – Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, and Washington – were selected from a field of 21 applicants to assess quality improvement strategies to enhance the work of public health departments.
The project, called the Multi-State Learning Collaborative II: Quality Improvement in the Context of Assessment and Accreditation Programs (MLC-2) follows the successful MLC-1 project, Performance Assessment and Accreditation of Public Health Departments, in which five states enhanced their efforts to use performance and capacity standards to assess the work of public health agencies. In addition to increasing knowledge about performance assessment and accreditation programs, MLC-1 contributed to the growing enthusiasm for developing similar programs throughout the country and for developing a national public health accreditation program.
The Multi-State Learning Collaborative has provided an invaluable opportunity for peers to learn from and teach each other. MLC-1 created a peer network to exchange ideas and strategies among the participant states, interested stakeholders, and members of the public health practice community. MLC-2 has expanded and strengthened this network with teleconferences, in person meetings, and state to state site visits, where states get a first hand view of the programs from which they want to learn.
The Multi-State Learning Collaborative is managed by the National Network of Public Health Institutes and the Public Health Leadership Society. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) sponsors the program, which has awarded $150,000 grants to states participating in both MLC-1 and MLC-2. RWJF Senior Program Officer Pamela Russo said, MLC-2 “will incorporate quality improvement techniques into existing performance and capacity assessment efforts, with the ultimate goal of increasing the ability of public health agencies to protect and improve the health of the people in the communities they serve.” Lessons learned from these states will significantly contribute to the increasing work focused on accountability, performance in public health, and quality improvement. Check out the eCatalog to see some of the work of the MLC states.
States Participating in the Multi-State Learning Collaborative
Florida
Illinois
Kansas
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
New Hampshire
North Carolina
Ohio
Washington
Making the Connection
Making the Connection: an Exploration of Quality Improvement and Accreditation through the Multi-State Learning Collaborative, is a new newsletter series highlighting the work of the MLC states.
Making the Connection, Issue 1
Making the Connection, Issue 2
Making the Connection, Issue 3
Making the Connection, Issue 4
Making the Connection, Issue 5
Topical Briefs
The Multi-State Learning Collaborative is happy to present “Topical Briefs.” Each brief examines a particular issue or theme that has emerged throughout the course of the MLC states’ work. The first MLC Topical Brief explores workforce development for quality improvement. The second focuses on sharing model practices to achieve accreditation and improvement. The final Topical Brief entitled Supporting Multi-State Quality Improvement Projects and Collaboratives highlights the collaboratives that have emerged as part of the MLC-2.
Preparing the Public Health Workforce for Quality Improvement
Sharing Model Practices to Achieve Accreditation and Improvement
Supporting Multi-State Quality Improvement Projects and Collaboratives
Journal of Public Health Management and Practice
The July/August 2007 issue of the journal focuses on accreditation and showcases the work of the MLC states. Free online access to the issue is available on the JPHMP website.
Additional Resources
NNPHI eCatalog – Sort the database by MLC to view documents and resources from MLC-1 and MLC-2.
PHLS Teleconference Series on Quality Improvement – View materials from the teleconference series.
Public Health Accreditation Board – Visit the PHAB website to learn more about the development of a national voluntary accreditation program for public health departments.
National Association of County and City Health Officials, Accreditation and Quality Improvement Website. Includes numerous resources geared to helping local health departments prepare for accreditation and conduct quality improvement efforts.
The Breakthrough Series: IHI’s Collaborative Model for Achieving Breakthrough Improvement. IHI Innovation Series white paper. Boston: Institute for Healthcare Improvement; 2003. (Available on www.IHI.org)