About WCCEAL

WCCEAL is a group of dedicated people organized to improve the outcomes of individuals living in Wisconsin assisted living communities (ALCs). The state of Wisconsin recognized the importance of addressing quality in Assisted Living. In 2009, the Wisconsin Coalition for Collaborative Excellence in Assisted Living (WCCEAL) was formed to redesign the way quality is ensured and improved for individuals residing in ALCs. This public/private coalition utilizes a collective impact model approach that brings together the state, the industry, the consumer, and academia to identify and implement agreed upon approaches designed to improve the outcomes of individuals living in Wisconsin ALCs. WCCEAL utilizes QID's eQuality system for online data collection and reports for ALC members, sponsor organizations and stakeholders.

To learn more about the WCCEAL coalition and the initiative please view this 25 minute comprehensive video presentation which summarizes the WCCEAL coalition and its online data reporting system, eQuality.

Video: Full introduction of the Wisconsin Coalition for Collaborative Excellence in Assisted Living (WCCEAL) and the eQuality data system

This award-winning publication is the first implementation study of large-scale data-driven quality improvement in assisted living, reporting implementation outcomes, core components, and implementation strategies building on a decade-long public-private collaboration.

Implementing Large-Scale Data-Driven Quality Improvement in Assisted Living
Ramly, E., Parks, R., Fishler, T., Ford II, J. H., Zimmerman, D., & Nordman-Oliveira, S. (2022). Implementing large-scale data-driven quality improvement in assisted living. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 23(2), 280-287.

Core benefits of WCCEAL for ALCs

Membership in a statewide coalition that represents providers, regulators, payers, residents, and quality improvement experts.
Access to a secure data-driven platform to assess their quality improvement structures, processes, and outcomes using measures co-designed by statewide stakeholders.
Regular feedback through data-driven reports that they can customize to compare themselves to ALC peer groups of their choice.
Targeted support to adapt their quality improvement efforts, including expert coaching, peer mentoring, and active engagement in a state-approved quality improvement program.
Free access to the Clinical Resource Center including the AMDA clinical practice guidelines for assisted living.
Access to promotional media resources.

Additional benefits of WCCEAL for ALCs in good standing

Public recognition on the WCCEAL website.
Regulatory flexibility: If an assisted living community that qualifies for the abbreviated survey is a member of WCCEAL in good standing, that assisted living community is surveyed later than assisted living communities in the same situation that are not members of WCCEAL in good standing.
Eligibility for premium discounts for liability insurance.

How to Join WCCEAL -+

Assisted Living Communities (ALCs) Interested in Joining WCCEAL

ALCs interested in joining WCCEAL must first be part of an approved quality improvement program. ALCs should contact their member Association for further information about joining WCCEAL.

To remain in good standing and be listed in the ALC membership section of this website all ALCs must abide by the WCCEAL membership rules.

Associations interested in joining WCCEAL

WCCEAL is a public/private collaboration between the a) Wisconsin Department of Health Services, b) Wisconsin’s assisted living provider associations that include LeadingAge Wisconsin, Wisconsin Assisted Living Association (WALA), Wisconsin Center for Assisted Living (WiCAL), and Disability Service Provider Network (DSPN), c) Wisconsin’s consumer advocacy agency and ombudsman program, and d) the University of Wisconsin-Madison. All WCCEAL Associations must abide by the Association Guiding Values for Participation in WCCEAL. To receive more information about the Collaborative please contact the WCCEAL Helpdesk (wcceal@qid.wisc.edu).


LeadingAge Wisconsin 204 S. Hamilton St. Madison, WI 53703 Phone: (608)255-7060 Email: info@leadingagewi.org	WI Assisted Living Association 5325 Wall Street Suite 2305 Madison, WI 53718 Phone: (608) 288-0246 Email: info@ewala.org	WHCA/WiCAL 3902 Milwaukee St., #7235 Madison, WI 53714 Phone: (608) 257-0125 Email: info@whcawical.org	Disability Service Provider Network 16 N Carroll St., Suite 300 Madison, WI 53703 Phone: (608) 244-5310 Email: support@dspn.org

Approved Quality Programs -+

When assisted living communities and health care facilities implement internal quality assurance and quality improvement throughout their systems, they will have better outcomes. The core of WCCEAL is the implementation of an association developed, department approved comprehensive quality assurance, quality improvement program.

The WALA Diamond Accreditation Program is a voluntary, cost-effective, and self-directed quality management program that is available to WALA provider members.

The purpose of this program is to improve and maintain high standards of quality care and services for residents of Wisconsin's assisted living communities where individual needs are met in safe, healthy, respectful and dignified environments.

The Diamond Accreditation Program is an invaluable resource to help improve the quality of your assisted living operations and increase the quality of care you provide to your residents.

This program was reviewed by DHS and UW Madison - CHSRA staff and approval was granted as follows:

WALA’s Diamond Accreditation Program

Approved 01/19/2012

The mission of the Disability Service Provider Network (DSPN) is to exist as a resource to foster a community for advocacy and education for excellence in community residential and non-residential support services. It is the goal of DSPN to positively impact residential and non-residential support services throughout Wisconsin by supporting providers in the fields of Disabilities, Mental Health, and Community Corrections so that they can achieve the highest level of service to individuals with these challenges throughout Wisconsin. It is for this reason that the STAR Quality Accreditation Program was developed.

This program was reviewed by DHS and UW Madison - CHSRA staff and approval was granted as follows:

RSA Star Quality Accreditation	Approved 12/20/2011
DSPN Star Quality Accreditation	Approved 2019

Echelon – A Quality Improvement Program for Those Who Strive for Excellence in Assisted Living

The LeadingAge Wisconsin Echelon is a systematic and all-encompassing program to serve assisted living professionals who strive for excellence in the care and services they offer.

Developed by assisted living professionals for assisted living professionals, Echelon is an unparalleled forum offering peer networking and sharing, a series of quality improvement initiatives, quality improvement modules, staff training modules, educational programs, workforce development tools, leadership development, policy and procedure resources, regulatory guidance and support, and certification courses for assisted living professionals.

Echelon provides collaborative guidance and support for each participating assisted living community as the community pursues its individual journey of quality improvement. Through Echelon, assisted living professionals become better by working together.

This program was reviewed by DHS and UW Madison - CHSRA staff and approval was granted as follows:

The LeadingAge Wisconsin CBRF and RCAC Quality Improvement Network (Now Echelon)

Approved 11/16/2010

PEAL is a voluntary program open to all WiCAL members, regardless of their licensure or certification, or whether they are currently qualified for the abbreviated survey process. Participation is voluntary, but all members are strongly encouraged to participate. Participating facilities receive training in recognized performance excellence criteria and quality improvement processes. Specifically, the PEAL program will rely heavily on the Baldrige Excellence Framework (Health Care) as the foundation of the program.

This program was reviewed by DHS and UW Madison - CHSRA staff and approval was granted as follows:

WiCAL’s Performance Excellence in Assisted Living (PEAL) Program

Approved 04/06/2012

Partners & Collaborators -+

Division of Medicaid Services (DMS): DMS provides leadership and funding support for the Coalition including funding for design and maintenance of the WCCEAL website and information system.

The Board on Aging and Long Term Care, operates the Long Term Care Ombudsman, Volunteer Ombudsman, and Medigap Helpline Programs. It is the premier resource for information and advocacy.

Division of Quality Assurance (DQA): DQA provides regulator and licensing information for ALCs in Wisconsin and the Coalition, as well as providing survey relief to WCCEAL members.

University of Wisconsin-Madison is the academic partner, providing website and database design and management. Also providing academic and evidence based research expertise and collaboration.

To become a member of WCCEAL, ALCs must first be part of an approved quality improvement program. Those interested in joining WCCEAL should first contact one of the following Associations to become an active member of their quality improvement program. All WCCEAL Associations must abide by the Association Guiding Values for Participation in WCCEAL.

LeadingAge Wisconsin, a statewide membership organization, is dedicated to the work of long-term care and assisted living organizations who principally serve seniors and persons with a disability. Through the core services of advocacy, education, and networking and guided by member-driven strategies, LeadingAge Wisconsin supports the efforts and mission of those who care for others. Together, LeadingAge Wisconsin and its members pursue better services for better aging.

The Wisconsin Assisted Living Association (WALA) promotes standards of quality care and provides valuable member services to organizations providing assisted living services. WALA’s mission is to support providers in enhancing the best quality of life for residents in assisted living in Wisconsin through advocacy, education, communication, and quality initiatives.

Wisconsin Health Care Association & Wisconsin Center for Assisted Living (WHCA/WICAL) is a non-profit organization dedicated to representing, protecting and advancing the interests of Wisconsin’s long-term care provider community and the residents they serve. In addition to its advocacy on behalf of its members, staff and residents, WHCA/WiCAL strives to provide its membership with the benefits of affiliation through the development and dissemination of information, training, and quality improvement assistance.

Collaborators

M3 is an independent, privately owned, full-service insurance brokerage firm. Their senior living & social services practice group is leading the way in strategic employee beneﬁts and business insurance, helping to navigate changing regulations, unique vulnerabilities to litigation, and a challenging employment landscape.

The original Center for Excellence in Assisted Living (CEAL) was formed as a result of the first recommendation in the landmark Assisted Living Workgroup report, delivered to the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging in 2003. For 20 years, CEAL thrived as a unique collaborative of diverse national organizations that work closely together to promote excellence in assisted living.

In 2023, CEAL became CEAL@UNC, which maintains this national collaborative and goal. CEAL@UNC has expanded capacity to develop evidence, bolster the workforce, and promote the adoption of evidence-based practices and policies, all toward advancing the well-being of the people who live and work in assisted living.

Argentum member companies operate senior living communities offering assisted living, independent living, and memory care services to older adults and their families. Argentum is the largest national association exclusively dedicated to supporting companies operating professionally managed, resident-centered senior living communities and the older adults and families they serve. Since 1990, Argentum has advocated for choice, accessibility, independence, dignity, and quality of life for all older adults. Argentum expands senior living through industry-leading events, publications, education, and research.

The National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) is the assisted living voice of the American Health Care Association (AHCA). NCAL is dedicated to serving the needs of the assisted living community through national advocacy, education, networking, professional development, and quality initiatives. NCAL's proactive, national focus on assisted living legislation is backed by the strongest and most influential long term care advocacy team in the country. NCAL members know that their voices will be heard by the national policymakers and regulators who continually seek to influence the future of assisted living.

LeadingAge represents more than 5,000 non-profit aging services providers and other mission-minded organizations that touch millions of lives every day. Alongside their members and 38 state partners, they use applied research, advocacy, education, and community-building to make America a better place to grow old.

Financial Support of WCCEAL -+

November 2009 – present

Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has provided funding support for WCCEAL for the initial and ongoing infrastructure development. Activities include but are not limited to ongoing support for the monthly WCCEAL collaborative meetings; creation and ongoing maintenance of the WCCEAL website; and development, testing and implementation of the reporting infrastructure for the resident satisfaction and quality improvement measures as well as benchmark reports.

March 2016 – 2021

2015 Wisconsin Partnership Program Community Impact Grant. DHS and UW Madison - CHSRA awarded a $1,000,000, 5 year grant to expand the statewide impact of WCCEAL.

Grant Aims:

Ensure that residents of Wisconsin ALCs have access to quality care by expanding the reach of the collaborative to engage more ALCs
Improve ALCs ability to report and compare their progress and quality improvement by updating the WCCEAL data infrastructure
Address health disparities in ALCs by assessing and targeting underserved communities and resident groups
Reach more publically-funded and underserved residents through integrating WCCEAL into the Family Care Quality Strategy
Improve specific quality targets for ALCs by developing processes for ALCs to work together with their peers
Produce and disseminate evidence to sustain positive systems change through this collaborative

2011-September 2013

Initial funding for development and implementation of the WCCEAL project was provided by a 2011 ICTR Community Collaboration Grant. On May 9, 2011 UW Madison - CHSRA and DHS were awarded a $200,000 two-year ICTR Community Collaboration Grant be used to help build the infrastructure for the collaborative and to study the effectiveness of WCCEAL.

The Wisconsin Coalition for Collaborative Excellence in Assisted Living was supported by the Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) program, through the NIH National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), grant UL1TR000427. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the NIH. Funding for this project was also provided by the UW School of Medicine and Public Health from the Wisconsin Partnership Program, within the Institute for Clinical and Translational Research.

Associated Research Grants:

2014 ICTR Dissemination and Implementation Award. UW Madison - CHSRA awarded $150,000 grand to investigate falls prevention programs among WCCEAL members.

Park Family Foundation Grant. $10,000 Music & memory grant to pilot-test the Music and Memory program with iPads in ALCs.