Quality Assurance & Quality Improvement (QA/QI)

Illustration of a compass with an arrow pointing toward the word "quality"

About QA/QI at CDHS

The Colorado Department of Human Services' Division of Quality Assurance and Quality Improvement (QA/QI) is dedicated to the monitoring and assessment of mission-critical programs, services and facilities across CDHS. Working in collaboration with CDHS program and facility leadership, we maintain a rigorous ongoing schedule of data collection and analysis, observation, site visits, file reviews and related activities.

The goal of the QA/QI Division is to empower our partners with the information and services to deliver the highest quality programs and facilities to the most vulnerable Coloradans every day. The accompanying table shows what we do and why we do it.

In order to serve the greatest number of stakeholders with CDHS, while maintaining a high level of service quality, QA/QI offers three tiers of support within our tiered-support model to ensure each member of team CDHS receives the best support possible when it comes to QA/Q practices.

  • Tier 1 is direct program support. The goal is to maintain practices through partners.
  • Tier 2 is consultative services. The goal is to deepen learning through technical assistance.
  • Tier 3 is self-service resources. The goal is to build understanding and use of QA/QI practices.

What we do Why we do it
Translate law and statute into reliable observation and review protocols Reduce risk by assessing compliance with structure
Monitor practice using rigorous methodology Reinforce best practices and guide areas for improvement
Maintain a statewide presence across programs and facilities Improve policy understanding and implementation in programs and facilities
Provide consultation on emerging programs and facility needs Build a culture of improvement through tailored support

QA/QI divisions

Administrative Review Division

Serves as an independent third-party review system under the auspices of CDHS. ARD is the mechanism responsible for the federally required Case Review System and a portion of the Quality Assurance System for both the Division of Child Welfare and the Division of Youth Corrections. Visit the Administrative Review Division page to learn more.

Direct Care Facilities Quality Assurance

Facilitates survey readiness and review activities for the CDHS state owned/operated 24/7 direct care facilities including the Veterans Community Living Centers, Regional Centers, and Mental Health Institutes. Visit the Direct Care Facilities Quality Assurance page to learn more.

Division of Youth Services Quality Assurance

Facilitates Compliance Reviews and quarterly monitoring of the state owned/operated Division of Youth Services facilities and Regional Offices. Visit the Youth Services Quality Assurance page to learn more.

Public Assistance Quality Assurance

Facilitates reviews of county-facing public assistance programs including Adult Financial, Child Support Services, Colorado Child Care Assistance Program, Colorado Works, Low-income Energy Assistance Program, and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Visit the Public Assistance Quality Assurance page to learn more.