Purpose of the Independent Monitoring for Quality (IM4Q) Program
The OMR quality improvement program has four guiding principles to which all parties involved must adhere. These principles distinguish this program from other OMR and county programs, and act as safeguards so that IM4Q maintains its purpose.
Independence of the Program: Local IM4Q Programs have no conflicts of interest with the mental retardation service system
Community Participation: People with disabilities, family members, and concerned citizens participate in monitoring services
Accountability: The mental retardation service system is accountable to improve services and supports based on results of the monitoring
Self-Determination: People and families direct policies and procedure that promote choice and control over their financial resources and decisions that affect their lives
For more information regarding the Statewide IM4Q Program please visit The Department of Public Welfare's Website.
How the St. Francis IM4Q Program Works
The IM4Q uses trained independent monitoring teams to interview people receiving services and their families about the services that they receive. The interview questions are developed by Temple University’s Institute on Disabilities. Each team is made up of at least one person receiving services or a family member of someone receiving services. People who live in any of the following setting have the opportunity to be interviewed: Licensed community homes, with their families or companions, independently, in intermediate care facilities, nursing facilities, personal care homes, family living providers, and domiciliary care units. An individual can be involved in the IM4Q process regardless of their level of disability and regardless if they are verbal or non-verbal. Interviews are arranged at a time that is most convenient for the person being interviewed and takes approximately one hour. Interviews can be conducted at their home, the home of the person’s family, at the place of day activity or anywhere the person fells comfortable. IM4Q involvement is voluntary and does not affect service delivery. The County MH/MR Program uses the results of interviews for quality improvement purposes, such as making changes to a person’s Individual Support Plan that the team feels will improve the quality of Life for the person.
Beliefs of the St. Francis IM4Q Program
1. People with disabilities have the right to exercise self-determination.
2. Every person has something valuable to contribute to society
3. Consumers have the right to make choices that affect their lives.
4. Consumers have the right to be heard
5. Consumers have the right to be treated with dignity and respect.
Contact Information:
Saint Francis University
Independent Monitoring for Quality Program
PO Box 600 Schwab 6
Loretto, PA 15940
In Pennsylvania 1-800-457-6300 Ext 6
Outside of Pennsylvania 814-472-2796
Program Director: Christine Greene, BSW
Team Coordinator: Kim Basal
Program Manager: Mark Lynch, PhD.