Culture Change Network of Georgia

Contact Information
Kim McRae, Co-Founder and Coordinator
3522 Ashford-Dunwoody Road, #900
Atlanta, GA  30319
770-841-1546
kimmcrae@haveagoodlife.com
Website: www.culturechangega.org 

History

In 2009, Kim McRae, co-founder (with Walter Coffey) of the Culture Change Network of Georgia received The Allison Cuba Champion Award from Aging Services of Georgia. The award "recognizes an association member who has provided exceptional service by working directly with the association in a way that ultimately benefits the good of all members."

Aging Services of Georgie hosted a Pioneer Network Board meeting in 2003 and a day long educational event with Charlene Boyd, Rose Marie Fagan, and Barry Barkan.

In 2004, Aging Services of Georgia and Georgia Institute on Aging sponsored a workshop with Barry Barkan on "Becoming a Champion of Change."

In 2005, Georgia participated in the Person-directed Care Pilot with CMS and Quality Partners of Rhode Island and 7 people attended the Saint Louis Accord.

Since 2005, the QIO has held several semi annual meetings in 8 locations around the state.


Organizational Structure

• Advisory Group comprised of representatives from providers including nursing home, assisted living, HUD, home and community based services, hospice, adult day services and CCRCs.
• Network partners include the Area Agency on Aging, Alzheimer's Association, CMS Survey/Certification review branch, Emory Health Care Fuqua Center for Late Life Depression, QIO, DHR/ORS, DHR/DAS. Georgia Council on Aging, LTC Ombudsman, GSU Gerontology Center, Holleran Consulting, IAHSA, Institute for the Future of Aging Services, Rosalynn Carter Institute, Pioneer Network.  We continue to expand this group
• Task Forces are being formed to focus on funding, communication and upcoming events.

Funding

• Aging Services of Georgia is providing the leadership role and in kind support; staff time, newsletter and website production and "housing" the website; conference "production", financial support to coordinator; meeting space, etc. 
• A Funding Task Force is being formed.

Major Activities

• Continued to develop and grow the comprehensive group of stakeholders to reflect the continuum of long-term care, services and supports; including elders, consumers and direct-care representatives.  These advisory partners held quarterly meetings, and workgroups met throughout the year.  All advisory partners are working together for the greater good of strengthening the network to promote culture change in GA.
• Received a grant from HealthCare Research, Inc. which supported the efforts of CCNG, provided training and scholarships to the CCNG Summit.
• Continued to operate under the non-profit umbrella of The Georgia Institute on Aging, the educational arm of Aging Services of Georgia.
• The GA LANE continues to be housed within CCNG and provides updates and news of the Advancing Excellence Campaign at each CCNG meeting.  The QIO hosted a "group viewing" for the LANE of the Pioneer Network's MDS 3.0 webinar series.  The LANE was asked to participate in a national Disparity Pilot, and worked with three nursing homes in Macon throughout the year.  
• Worked with other senior advocates to maintain the integrity of the Civil Money Penalty (CMP) Funds in GA and to ensure such funds are held and used to address their intended purposes.  Advocated for CMP funding to promote Culture Change in Georgia.  CCNG convened a development task group to formalize our focus on following new directives regarding CMP funds.
• Continued developing new logo and branding, and updating the website.  Creation of brochures and other materials in process.  Holding focus groups with elders to ensure correct language and message.  Website had over 22,000 visits this year.
• GA was one of 22 states that participated in the second phase of Pioneer Network's "Creating Home" pilot.  We recruited 11 facilitators/co-facilitators, held 12 meetings, with 120 consumers attending.  In addition, GA was the pilot site for working with Financial Services Professionals and their clients, "Connecting with Consumers Throughout the Continuum: Preparing the Continuum and "Influencers" for the Aging Baby Boomers and the New Informed Consumer."  130 consumers total attended 14 total meetings.  
• Convened and hosted Eden at Home: "Creating Quality of Life for Care Partner Teams Living with Dementia," a three day trainer certification workshop.  CCNG worked with The Eden Alternative to create a model integrating Eden at Home as a catalyst for change beyond the walls of the nursing home.  Twenty-five strategically-chosen community stakeholders representing the continuum came together to learn a shared language and philosophy, and a commitment to creating collaborative care partner teams, that will bridge organizations that support the needs of elders living at home and in the community.
• Held "Best Friends Tell Stories: Two Day Humanizing Dementia Care Workshop" featuring David Troxel and Karen Stobbe.  Focused on changing how people and organizations think and feel about people who are living with dementia.
• GA LTCO held a Virtual Dementia Tour Train-the-Trainer Workshop for 25 ombudsmen, and each region was provided with a Virtual Dementia Tour Kit.
• CCNG advisory partners created a three-part webinar series, "Changing the Culture of Long-Term Care," developed from videos created during last year's symposia.  Presentation speakers include Rose Marie Fagan, Karen Nichols and Kim McRae, and CEUs were provided.  Archived webinars are available on the website.
• Held the 4th Annual CCNG Summit on October 6th, "Make Yourself at Home," with Joanne Rader and Cathie Brady.  Special focus on "The First 24 Hours" and "The Last 24 Hours" (end of life), and how to honor the sanctity of life and the dignity of death. Governor Deal proclaimed Oct. 6th "Culture Change Day in Georgia."  Diverse participation from across the continuum, including NH, AL, CCRC, HCBS, Affordable and Market Rate Senior Housing, AAA, Adult Day, Hospice, Ombudsman, State Government, qio, Alzheimer's Association, CMS, Elder law, Social Workers, Residents, Family Council, Board Members and Consumers.  Provided 42 scholarships to direct-care staff.
• Continued to participate in Pioneer Network Coalition Committee Calls, monthly networking calls, and other special topic workgroups.
• Participated in the Department of Community Health Workgroup on the Rules and Regulations for Assisted Living Communities (ALCs), a new level of residential care in Georgia.
• Worked with our CMS Regional Office to strengthen connections with coalitions in the region, and enhance relationships with SSAs and coalitions in the region.  
• Focusing on reaching consumers:  working with The Center for Positive Aging (the consumer arm of Aging Services of Georgia) to connect with GA consumers to provide educational opportunities regarding culture change, long-term care and advocacy; working on rollout of Eden at Home, including held a two-day EAH workshop for elder volunteers 55+ who work with elders throughout the continuum; exhibited at a Family Caregiver Conference and shared "The Key Questions" to help consumers know how to "shop" for organizations that are "doing" culture change; and spoke at a Resident Association Meeting in an Affordable Housing Community.
• Continued to expand the reach of Culture Change in Georgia.  CC training was included in more than 30 various training events attended by more than 1,400 professionals.
• Presented nationally, featuring our work in GA, at the Pioneer Network Conference, LeadingAge Conference, LeadingAge Executive Forum, National Consumer Voice Conference, The National Association for Regulatory Administration (NARA), and CMS Region IV State Survey Agency Directors Meeting (eight states).