orientation purpose

1. Good afternoon and welcome to the Aligning Forces for Quality program orientation webinar. My name is Anne Weiss and I am the Team Leader for our Quality/Equality area at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. I am joined on this call by colleagues here at the Foundation, members of our Aligning Forces for Quality National Program Office at George Washington University and, the Center for Health Improvement, which provides additional technical assistance to AFQ communities.. Good afternoon and welcome to the Aligning Forces for Quality program orientation webinar. My name is Anne Weiss and I am the Team Leader for our Quality/Equality area at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. I am joined on this call by colleagues here at the Foundation, members of our Aligning Forces for Quality National Program Office at George Washington University and, the Center for Health Improvement, which provides additional technical assistance to AFQ communities..

2. The purpose of this one-hour call is to give you a high level overview of the Aligning Forces for Quality national program, our plans to expand the program to more sites, and the application process for this special solicitation for planning phase grants. We will give you plenty of time to ask questions immediately after this overview. We will post these questions and our answers on the FAQ section of the AligningForces.org/expansion website. If we run out of time, we will provide answers to any outstanding questions through the FAQ section on the website as well. Also, you can always submit questions to the email address listed on your screens at any point during the application process. The purpose of this one-hour call is to give you a high level overview of the Aligning Forces for Quality national program, our plans to expand the program to more sites, and the application process for this special solicitation for planning phase grants. We will give you plenty of time to ask questions immediately after this overview. We will post these questions and our answers on the FAQ section of the AligningForces.org/expansion website. If we run out of time, we will provide answers to any outstanding questions through the FAQ section on the website as well. Also, you can always submit questions to the email address listed on your screens at any point during the application process.

3. 3 So what is Aligning Forces for Quality? I�m sure you�ve all read through the special solicitation or are perhaps already familiar with the program, but Aligning Forces for Quality is the cornerstone of RWJF�s Quality/Equality strategy. While we have a number of complimentary research projects and other investments at both the regional and national levels, Aligning Forces is our signature effort in the Foundation�s longstanding commitment to improve health care quality and reduce disparities. It reflects our belief that poor health care quality is a national problem that requires local action . Fixing the problem also requires working together with patients, providers, plans and employers to deliver lasting change across entire communities. So what is Aligning Forces for Quality? I�m sure you�ve all read through the special solicitation or are perhaps already familiar with the program, but Aligning Forces for Quality is the cornerstone of RWJF�s Quality/Equality strategy. While we have a number of complimentary research projects and other investments at both the regional and national levels, Aligning Forces is our signature effort in the Foundation�s longstanding commitment to improve health care quality and reduce disparities. It reflects our belief that poor health care quality is a national problem that requires local action . Fixing the problem also requires working together with patients, providers, plans and employers to deliver lasting change across entire communities.

4. Aligning Forces For Quality Aligning Forces will help communities: Measure and publicly report performance Enhance community resources for quality improvement by health care providers Engage consumers on health care quality issues Communities participating in Aligning Forces focus on three core activities: Improving measurement of care and public reporting of those measures Enhancing community support for physicians, hospitals and clinics in their efforts to improve; and Increasing consumer engagementCommunities participating in Aligning Forces focus on three core activities: Improving measurement of care and public reporting of those measures Enhancing community support for physicians, hospitals and clinics in their efforts to improve; and Increasing consumer engagement

5. 5 There are currently 14 sites around the country participating in Aligning Forces ,and here they are.There are currently 14 sites around the country participating in Aligning Forces ,and here they are.

6. 6 In addition to the 14 AF communities you have just seen, we have two communities, New Jersey and Albuquerque, NM , who are currently in an Aligning Forces planning phase. Both communities have received RWJF support to help them develop their leadership teams and prepare an AF proposal that they will submit to the Foundation at the end of their six-month planning phases. Ultimately, the Foundation seeks to expand the current number of AF communities for a total number of no more than 20. If you are on this call, it�s because you represent one of 16 selected communities that RWJF is inviting to compete for a total of four planning phase grants. I will describe the basic elements of the planning grants in a moment. If your community is chosen to receive a planning grant and completes the planning phase successfully, you will be asked to submit a proposal to participate in AF beginning in 2010. In addition to the 14 AF communities you have just seen, we have two communities, New Jersey and Albuquerque, NM , who are currently in an Aligning Forces planning phase. Both communities have received RWJF support to help them develop their leadership teams and prepare an AF proposal that they will submit to the Foundation at the end of their six-month planning phases. Ultimately, the Foundation seeks to expand the current number of AF communities for a total number of no more than 20. If you are on this call, it�s because you represent one of 16 selected communities that RWJF is inviting to compete for a total of four planning phase grants. I will describe the basic elements of the planning grants in a moment. If your community is chosen to receive a planning grant and completes the planning phase successfully, you will be asked to submit a proposal to participate in AF beginning in 2010.

7. Planning Phase Program Basics and Eligibility Criteria Register by November 7th; one proposal per community Applicant organizations must represent multiple community stakeholders and Grants of up to $200,000 over six months Technical assistance There are a few program basics I would like to review as you consider applying for one of the four AF planning phase grants. To help ensure that only one organization per community applies, all applicant organizations must register with the program via email on or before November 7, 2008. We will use the registration information to help match potential applicants from the same community to ensure that the community only submits a single proposal. We can only accept proposals from registered applicants. Applicants must be an organization that represents multiple community stakeholders, including substantial representation from the following community health care market stakeholders: � health care providers, including physicians and safety net providers; � health care plans; � employers; and � consumers. Grants of up to $200,000 over six months will be awarded to four communities in May of 2009. In addition to the planning grants, , and technical assistance will also be provided by our National Program Office at George Washington University .There are a few program basics I would like to review as you consider applying for one of the four AF planning phase grants. To help ensure that only one organization per community applies, all applicant organizations must register with the program via email on or before November 7, 2008. We will use the registration information to help match potential applicants from the same community to ensure that the community only submits a single proposal. We can only accept proposals from registered applicants. Applicants must be an organization that represents multiple community stakeholders, including substantial representation from the following community health care market stakeholders: � health care providers, including physicians and safety net providers; � health care plans; � employers; and � consumers. Grants of up to $200,000 over six months will be awarded to four communities in May of 2009. In addition to the planning grants, , and technical assistance will also be provided by our National Program Office at George Washington University .

8. Selection Criteria Structure of the leadership team Market characteristics Capacity to use population data Public reporting and measurement standard Collecting race and ethnicity demographic data The selection criteria that will be used to identify the four planning grant recipients can be found in much more detail within the special solicitation document itself. But to highlight the key criteria here: The applicant must identify a leadership team that includes individuals with decision-making authority from applicant member organizations. Applicants must demonstrate an understanding of the characteristics of their community�s health care market. Leadership teams are also expected to address how they will use population-wide and regionally-based data to plan activities to improve health care quality. Communities must commit to publicly report major, nationally-recognized measurement sets for both inpatient and ambulatory care. Applicants must also outline how hospitals, plans and ambulatory care providers might work together to achieve the collection of self-reported data about patients� race, ethnicity and primary language, and how the community will integrate this information into its overall quality measurement, reporting and improvement activities. The selection criteria that will be used to identify the four planning grant recipients can be found in much more detail within the special solicitation document itself. But to highlight the key criteria here: The applicant must identify a leadership team that includes individuals with decision-making authority from applicant member organizations. Applicants must demonstrate an understanding of the characteristics of their community�s health care market. Leadership teams are also expected to address how they will use population-wide and regionally-based data to plan activities to improve health care quality. Communities must commit to publicly report major, nationally-recognized measurement sets for both inpatient and ambulatory care. Applicants must also outline how hospitals, plans and ambulatory care providers might work together to achieve the collection of self-reported data about patients� race, ethnicity and primary language, and how the community will integrate this information into its overall quality measurement, reporting and improvement activities.

9. Selection Criteria (continued) Work plan and timeline Consumer Engagement Patient-centered care and nurse leadership Ambulatory provider QI capacity Participate in evaluation As part of the proposal process, applicants must present a preliminary work plan using a template provided in the special solicitation document. In addition, applicants should describe efforts to engage consumers, plans for patient-centered care and nurse leadership activities, and ideas for developing provider QI capacity. This may include current community capabilities and resources and proposed work the leadership team might do for each required area. As a condition of accepting RWJF funds, grantees must participate in a national evaluation conducted by an independent research group selected and funded by RWJF. As part of the proposal process, applicants must present a preliminary work plan using a template provided in the special solicitation document. In addition, applicants should describe efforts to engage consumers, plans for patient-centered care and nurse leadership activities, and ideas for developing provider QI capacity. This may include current community capabilities and resources and proposed work the leadership team might do for each required area. As a condition of accepting RWJF funds, grantees must participate in a national evaluation conducted by an independent research group selected and funded by RWJF.

10. 10 Key Dates Now I�d like to go through some of the Key Dates you should be aware of related to the proposal application process. To be able to submit an application, again, you must submit a Notice of Intent by November 7th. Only planning proposals from registered applicants will be accepted. Even if you have registered to apply for other RWJF grantmaking opportunities, you must register again for this program. Proposals are due Wednesday, November 19th by 3PM ET and only online proposals will be accepted for the Aligning Forces for Quality planning phase grants. If you have any difficulties with the Grantmaking Online, we will be providing information in a moment on how you can contact our Helpdesk for assistance. Now I�d like to go through some of the Key Dates you should be aware of related to the proposal application process. To be able to submit an application, again, you must submit a Notice of Intent by November 7th. Only planning proposals from registered applicants will be accepted. Even if you have registered to apply for other RWJF grantmaking opportunities, you must register again for this program. Proposals are due Wednesday, November 19th by 3PM ET and only online proposals will be accepted for the Aligning Forces for Quality planning phase grants. If you have any difficulties with the Grantmaking Online, we will be providing information in a moment on how you can contact our Helpdesk for assistance.

11. Final Selection 11 All Aligning Forces for Quality proposals are revised by a National Advisory Committee of external experts in the field, as well as by the Foundation and our national program office . As these reviews continue, select communities may be notified in late January that we may be requesting a teleconference, videoconference or site visit. Those conferences or visits would take place in February, after which time our National Advisory Committee will be making funding recommendations to the Foundation. The four communities that are selected as finalists will be notified in March that they have been recommended to move forward in the final steps of the process, and planning grants will be awarded in May of 2009. Once again, if the six month planning phase is successful, these four planning grant recipients would be invited to submit a proposal for full participation in Aligning Forces for Quality in 2010.All Aligning Forces for Quality proposals are revised by a National Advisory Committee of external experts in the field, as well as by the Foundation and our national program office . As these reviews continue, select communities may be notified in late January that we may be requesting a teleconference, videoconference or site visit. Those conferences or visits would take place in February, after which time our National Advisory Committee will be making funding recommendations to the Foundation. The four communities that are selected as finalists will be notified in March that they have been recommended to move forward in the final steps of the process, and planning grants will be awarded in May of 2009. Once again, if the six month planning phase is successful, these four planning grant recipients would be invited to submit a proposal for full participation in Aligning Forces for Quality in 2010.

12. Application Assistance Program Web site www.aligningforces.org/expansion View special solicitation Frequently asked questions Submit notice of intent Click here to apply Contact us Register for webinars Throughout the application process, we strongly encourage each applicant to go to the program website for additional information. On the web site, applicants can find: A copy of the special solicitation Frequently asked questions which are regularly updated A link to submit the notice of intent and register as an applicant The link to our Grantmaking Online web site to submit proposals A way to Contact the Helpdesk And links to Register for the upcoming webinar Throughout the application process, we strongly encourage each applicant to go to the program website for additional information. On the web site, applicants can find: A copy of the special solicitation Frequently asked questions which are regularly updated A link to submit the notice of intent and register as an applicant The link to our Grantmaking Online web site to submit proposals A way to Contact the Helpdesk And links to Register for the upcoming webinar

13. Helpdesk email AligningForcesforQuality@rwjf.org Helpdesk hotline available November 12th � 19th Phone number emailed to registrants and posted on web site November 12th 13 Application Assistance Applicants can also contact the Aligning Forces Grant Solicitation Help Desk via the email address listed on this slide. Additionally, a helpdesk hotline will be available one week before proposals are due, from November 12th through the 19th. The phone number will be sent to everyone registered for the webinars, anyone who registers as an applicant and will also be posted on the program web site by Nov. 12th. Applicants can also contact the Aligning Forces Grant Solicitation Help Desk via the email address listed on this slide. Additionally, a helpdesk hotline will be available one week before proposals are due, from November 12th through the 19th. The phone number will be sent to everyone registered for the webinars, anyone who registers as an applicant and will also be posted on the program web site by Nov. 12th.

14. Aligning Forces for Quality Questions Please type questions in Chat area and send to �All Participants� This concludes the program and application overview portion of the presentation. At this point, I�m going to hand it over to Kara Cochran, the Project Manager at the Administrative Support Office, who is going to walk us through the Q&A portion of the call before we conclude with a short demonstration of the Grantmaking Online system. This concludes the program and application overview portion of the presentation. At this point, I�m going to hand it over to Kara Cochran, the Project Manager at the Administrative Support Office, who is going to walk us through the Q&A portion of the call before we conclude with a short demonstration of the Grantmaking Online system.