Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part 6 - Division of Family and Children's Services › Chapter 1 - DFCS Policy Manual › Section 18-6-1-A - Administration › Subpart I - ADMINISTRATION › Section 18-6-1-A-I-XVI - CONTINUOUS QUALITY IMPROVEMENT

Current through June 25, 2024
A.
State
					 Continuous Quality Improvement Plan
The Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Plan outlines
						and describes the implementation of the CQI process within the Mississippi DFCS
						(DFCS). The CQI Plan:
* Assigns responsibility for coordination/implementation
						of CQI activities, and provision of technical assistance in using the CQI
						process;
* Sets forth the purpose and scope of CQI activities;
* Establishes how the DFCS periodically reviews essential
						management and service delivery processes consistent in light of quality
						priorities;
* Defines stakeholders and how stakeholders will
						participate in the CQI process;
* Outlines methods and timeframes for monitoring and
						reporting activities; and
* Includes provision for an assessment of the utility of
						the CQI program, including any barriers and supports for implementation.
The primary purpose for engaging in CQI activities is to
						promote positive outcomes for the children and families served by the division
						by reinforcing the principles of family centered practice and assuring high
						quality of services. To achieve this goal, it is essential for the division to:
(1) institute structured processes in
					 order to examine, evaluate, and act on quality issues within our DFCS
					 and
(2) involve all division staff
					 as well as families and stakeholders in these processes.
The CQI process is one that is thoroughly integrated into
						the DFCS's ongoing work and serves primarily as a means of reinforcing the
						practices that are currently being implemented in the state. CQI is viewed as a
						means of keeping the DFCS's mission and vision in clear focus for staff in the
						field and as a primary means of sustaining the improvements that we achieve in
						practice and outcomes over time. In order for it to serve that function, it
						must actually monitor for the practices that are put into place and provide
						sufficient feedback to staff to inform practice, decision making, and resource
						allocation.
Our CQI process is designed in accordance with the
						state's practice model, and thereby supports its implementation and
						sustainability. Six broad categories of activities in working with children and
						families have been identified that comprise the essence of the practice model.
						They are as follow:
* Mobilizing Appropriate Services Timely
* Safety Assurance and Risk Management
* Involving Families and Children in Case Planning and
						Decision Making
* Strengths and Needs Assessments of Children and
						Families
* Preserving Connections and Relationships
* Individualized and Timely Case Planning
A monitoring process has been designed that is fully
						synchronized with our practice model and provides the DFCS with a thoroughly
						integrated and consistent way of serving children and families.