Independent Monitoring for Quality (IM4Q)
Individuals who are registered with the intellectual disability system and their families have an opportunity to share opinions about the quality of their lives, what is working, and what changes they would like to see. The process is guided by the “Everyday Lives” values and principles. In Bucks County, Voice and Vision’s team consists of both family members and individuals with disabilities.
How Data is Used
The information gathered is used by the Quality management process at both the county and state level and has led to both Policy changes and improvement in practices. Some of the information gathered is also incorporated into a National initiative that tracks data across states, called National Core Indicator (NCI). Individual change happens through considerations that are generated by the interview process. These considerations are captured and relayed to supports coordinators and county personnel who in turn address them with the individual and family as necessary.
The following charts show Bucks County data collected during the year 2016/17, which were taken from a report released by the Institute on Disabilities at Temple University.
Choice and Control Chart 
Community Chart 
Relationships Chart 
Satisfaction Chart
For a copy of the complete report please visit disabilities.temple.edu/programs/im4q
Further information is available about the Independent Monitoring for Quality Program at the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services web site:
http://www.dhs.pa.gov/citizens/intellectualdisabilitiesservices/independentmonitoringforquality/index.htmq
Counties Served
Bucks CountyIM4Q is built on the foundation of the principles of Everyday Lives:
Here are a few of those principles.
Principle #1:
Choice – in all aspects of life including the services people receive, who provides supports, where to live and with whom, where to work, recreation and leisure activities, vacations, planning individualized day activities, and having support provided at home.
Principle #5:
Safety – to be safe at home, work, and school and in their neighborhood, as well as in all other aspects of their lives.
Principle #7:
Relationships – with family, partners, neighbors, community people.
Principle #10:
Contributing to the Community – being full citizens of the community … People want to be recognized for their abilities and gifts and to have dignity and status.
Principle #14:
Community Integration – in all aspects of the person’s life. Integration means both being in the community and having the opportunity to participate in all that the community has to offer.
To view all the principles and for more information about Everyday Lives please visit: http://www.dhs.pa.gov/cs/groups/webcontent/documents/document/c_241391.pdf
