Feb 15, 2023
The Saskatchewan Health Quality Council (HQC) is seeking applications for the fourth cohort of the Community Quality Improvement (QI) Collective, its unique program for community and non-profit organizations in Saskatchewan looking to boost their improvement skills.
The virtual program is six months in length. Combining QI theory and experiential learning with a community of practice, the program’s goal is to provide participants with the tools and skills to continuously improve their work in the non-profit sector. Teams can expect to gain a new approach to problem-solving with a focus on improving the quality of services for the individuals they serve.
Community-based organizations, while essential to creating a society where everyone enjoys optimal health, are often hindered by limited resources. A QI approach can help organizations use systems thinking and measurement to make changes. These changes can result in improved performance, a more effective use of resources and a higher quality of service for clients.
While the first several cohorts focused on providing training to Saskatchewan community-based organizations focused on child and youth mental health and well-being, this will be the last offering focused on this area. Future cohorts will be focused on providing training to community-based organizations serving other segments. HQC anticipates that cohort five will be offered to community-based organizations that offer programs and services that aim to improve the health and well-being of aging and older adults in the province.
“We have seen previous cohorts test great ideas, learn together and build connections with others working in the area,” says Jennifer Wright, and improvement lead at HQC and coordinator of the program. “Quality Improvement is way to examine our problems in a new way. We focus our efforts on better understanding the area we’d like to improve, try small tests of change, and use data to tell us if we’re heading in the right direction.”
She added that participants take the tools and run with them to make more positive change in their work. “It’s so great to see the energy as participants learn and share with one another of how these tools can be applied, not only to their improvement projects, but to their everyday work.”
Program alumni are provincial leaders in the community and non-profit sector, and include organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters of Saskatoon and Area, Autism Services of Saskatoon, Learning Disabilities Association of Saskatchewan, Youth Matter and Embracing Life Initiative, among others. A full list of participating organizations can be found on the HQC website.
The fourth cohort of the Community QI Collective is ideal for those who:
- work in child and youth mental health and well-being,
- have ideas to test in their organization,
- are interested in learning about ways to engage others in ideas or changes,
- want to improve and measure the success of a process or service they offer,
- want to learn how to interpret their data to make meaningful changes, and
- want to leverage their data to demonstrate progress.
Teams can range from one to four members. Participants can expect to spend up to four hours per month in learning sessions and collaborative workshops, with an additional four hours of applying concepts in real-world scenarios. Optional weekly coaching with a QI practitioner is also available to participating teams.
Saskatchewan-based human services organizations working in the areas of child and youth mental health and well-being are welcome to apply by March 27, 2023. Early registration is recommended as there is limited space.
Sessions begin on April 18 and run until Sept. 7. A breakdown of dates and sessions can be found in the program guide.
