NORS Training and ReportingAre We There Yet?National Ombudsman Resource Center Training ConferenceApril 19, 2010

Summary

• NORS Data Comparison Reports

• 2009 v. 2008 Reports/Reporting

• Assessment Review and Recommendations

Data – Accounting for our work, value, need and worthiness of support

• Why is Data important to our work?• Tells our story – what we do? Why we do it? Our

value in the system. We are different and distinct

• Tells the story of residents and need for change• Tells the story of advocacy – differentiates us

from survey and compliance functions – ombudsman service is distinct

• Worthiness of financial support – documents need for funding, staffing, training

• Accountability • Federal OAA, state GR, Special Funds, local support• $32.5/$40 million authorized in PPACA for ombudsman –

must document what we do that is distinct, needed and valued (increased scrutiny)

NORS State Data Comparison Reports

• Purpose for conducting the reports • Completion:

• Regions IV (Atlanta); V (Chicago); VI (Dallas); VII (Kansas City); VIII (Denver)

• In Progress: • Regions I (Boston); II and III (New York);

IX (San Francisco); X (Seattle)• Purpose

• Data improvements• Program Management

NORS State Data Comparison Reports

Comments from State Ombudsman on the Process and Comparison Reports

2009 v. 2008 Submissions

2008 to 2009 Comparisons (Funding)

2008 2009 PreliminaryChangeTotal % of

TotalTotal % of

Total

Title VII, Chap 2 $16,117,283 19% $16,786,597 20% +4.15%

Title VII, Chap 3 $2,313,677 3% $2,432,295 3% +5.13%

Title III, State $10,583,718 12% $11,257,401 13% +6.37%

Title III, AAA $16,265,419 19% $15,737,506 19% -3.25%

Other Federal $3,884,466 4% $4,486,821 5% +15.51%

Total Federal $49,164,563 57% $50,700,620 60% +3.12%

State $30,830,602 35% $27,061,807 32% -12.22%

Local $6,881,130 8% $6,872,330 8% -0.13%

Total $86,762,295 $84,634,757 -2.58%

2009 to 2008 Comparisons

2008 Preliminary 2009 Change

Total NF BC Total NF BC Total

Cases Closed 182,506 142,895 37,766 157,677 122,885 33,585 -14%

Complaints 271,650 208,749 60,172 233,194 176,162 55,119 -14%

Individual Consultations

327,028 343,410 +5%

% Visitation 79.7% 45.8% 77.8% 45.2%

Program FTE 1,293 1,198 -7%

Certified Vol 8,732 8,772 +1%

Staff/Beds 2,220 2,423 +9%

Facilities 66,865 16,749 50,116 69,446 16,652 52,794 +4%

Beds 2,870,978 1,740,115 1,130,863 2,901,801 1,734,815 1,166,986 +1%

According to 2009 preliminary data, 29 states reported decreased cases and complaints

• 18 had decreases >10% in both cases and complaints ; 9 had >20%; 5 had >30%; 3 had >40%

• 12 (+3?) of the 29 had lower staffing and/or funding (two areas which are interrelated) which were cited as major causes of the decreased numbers.• 3 cited budget cuts• the rest cited staffing issues (turnover, furlough days, unable to

fill positions, illnesses, etc) some related to funding issues• 7 had decreases of 10% or more in cases and complaints

• Another 10 states cited shifts/changes in reporting• 4 reported shifts from cases and complaints to consultations• 4 others indicated improved accuracy in reporting• 3 had lower staffing and funding without citing them as a cause

2009 to 2008 Cases/Consultations to Systemic Work

ASPE Review and Comments

• Request by the Assistant Secretary

• Review included• SLTCO reporting instructions• 2008 Reports• 2008 Ombudsman Program Data

Comparisons

ASPE Review and Comments

• Inconsistencies across states on major categories of data, e.g. complaints, verification rates, open/closed cases, subgroups• Accounting for variations (funding, staff,

turnover, state specific problems• Appearance of inconsistencies• Cause questions on data reliability

ASPE Review and Comments

• Inconsistency, reliability concerns make it difficult to draw data conclusions

• Too many categories• Delineation is not clear – explains

inconsistencies• Category overlaps – too much individual

discretion• Definitional and category semantic issue

cause confusion

Recommendations

• Determine the purpose of NORS

• Identify and development of data elements and definitions

• Identify Technical Considerations

• Develop Implementation Plan

Jim VarpnessAdministration on Aging233 N. Michigan #790

Chicago, IL 60601(312) 886-8535

jim.varpness@aoa.hhs.gov