Independent Monitoring for Quality (IM4Q) – Philadelphia

IM4Q effectively gives a “voice” to the persons with disabilities regarding their perception of service delivery and their satisfaction. It has also served as a valuable tool to learn more about what people want from system services and has created effective means for service providers and Support Coordinators to receive this feedback.

There are 26 IM4Q entities in the state that survey people in 67 counties. This allows everyone to have the opportunity to participate in the interview process.

Each year our program visits almost 700 people who have been randomly selected by the Office of Developmental Programs to assess levels of satisfaction, choice, and the quality of services and supports received in the workplace and at home.

Surveys used are:

• Essential Data Elements Survey (EDE)
  Designed by Temple University’s Institute on Disabilities, the EDE identifies the signs of quality in a person’s life with regard to dignity, respect, control, choice, rights, inclusion, relationships, and satisfaction. It also helps to serve as an agent of change for consumers who want to increase their independence and community presence.
• Family/Friend/Guardian Survey
  If the person agrees, we call their family to ask how happy they are with their relative’s services.
• National Core Indicators Survey (NCI)
  In conjunction with The Human Services Research Institute, data is collected and analyzed as part of a group of 46 participating states districts throughout the nation. An addendum is added to the nationwide NCI Survey in Pennsylvania to include questions from the essential data elements survey that are not included in the NCI Survey.