In February 2016, the Commissioner of Public Health announced a series of initiatives aimed at fostering quality care delivery in skilled nursing facilities across Massachusetts. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) recognized an opportunity to improve care delivery by strengthening resident and family councils and enhancing resident and family engagement. The Strengthening Resident and Family Councils Initiative launched in March 2017 in an effort to develop, enhance, and sustain Resident and Family Councils by providing education and training opportunities for skilled nursing facilities and their residents. With funding from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), DPH partnered with the Massachusetts Coalition for the Prevention of Medical Errors to complete this important work, and the Coalition worked closely with the Massachusetts Senior Care Association.
Materials and resources from the initiative, and more information on The Strengthening Resident and Family Councils Initiative, are now available: http://www.macoalition.org/resident-and-family-councils-in-long-term-care.shtml and at https://www.mass.gov/service-details/strengthening-resident-and-family-council-engagement