(a) The commissioner of children's services shall develop a statewide quality assurance program. The purpose of the quality assurance program is to ensure quality control through monitoring, evaluation, and feedback on the performance of the best practices in the service delivery system and utilizing both qualitative and quantitative data in outcomes-based approaches at the regional level.
(b) The statewide quality assurance program shall include, at a minimum:(1) A state quality assurance committee; and(2) Quality assurance systems in each region, including regional quality assurance coordinators.
(1) A state quality assurance committee; and
(2) Quality assurance systems in each region, including regional quality assurance coordinators.
(c) The statewide quality assurance program shall:(1) Provide a permanent structure for independent, objective evaluation of the quality of services and outcomes for children and families served by the department;(2) Review programs for consistency with applicable federal, state, and departmental policy;(3) Review outcomes experienced by children and families, particularly the outcome areas of safety, permanency, and child well-being;(4) Provide information on system and outcome areas needing improvement and identifying barriers to system delivery; and(5) Engage existing regional or county level advisory entities, such as the local advisory boards established under § 37-5-607 or citizen review panels required by 42 U.S.C. § 5106a to provide feedback, when appropriate, on departmental practices.
(1) Provide a permanent structure for independent, objective evaluation of the quality of services and outcomes for children and families served by the department;
(2) Review programs for consistency with applicable federal, state, and departmental policy;
(3) Review outcomes experienced by children and families, particularly the outcome areas of safety, permanency, and child well-being;
(4) Provide information on system and outcome areas needing improvement and identifying barriers to system delivery; and
(5) Engage existing regional or county level advisory entities, such as the local advisory boards established under § 37-5-607 or citizen review panels required by 42 U.S.C. § 5106a to provide feedback, when appropriate, on departmental practices.
(d) The statewide quality assurance program may also create and engage new regional or county level advisory entities in addition to those under subdivision (c)(5) in order to provide feedback, when appropriate, on departmental practices.