The quality of life of persons living with all types of disabilities is closely tied to the services they receive in home- and community-based settings. Among these services are residential supports, personal care services, and community living supports. Despite its importance, the quality of home and community-based services (HCBS) has historically been difficult to define and even more difficult to measure. 

By working with researchers, measure developers, policymakers, and advocates, the NIDILRR-funded Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) on HCBS Outcome Measurement is committed to:

• Validating and refining a national framework of HCBS outcomes for persons with disabilities (National Quality Forum); and
• Implementing the framework to refine and develop measures to assess the impact of HCBS on the lives of people with disabilities in the community.

In order to assist stakeholders in understanding key aspects of quality measure development, the RRTC on HCBS Outcomes has developed the following issue briefs:

• Brief 1: Involving Stakeholders to Address Challenges in HCBS Measure Development: Toward Person-Centered Measurement
• Brief 2: HCBS Outcome Measurement Tools and Current State Approaches to Measurement
• Brief 3: Development of HCBS Outcome Measures

Forthcoming briefs will focus on:

• The psychometrics of HCBS outcome measurement;
• Developing HCBS measures that are responsive racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity;
• Person-centered measurement;
• Measurement in HCBS: Best practice versus current implementation;
• Functions and uses of RTC/OM HCBS Outcome Measurement Instrument databases; and
• Use of HCBS outcome data for policy-making decisions.

RRTC on HCBS Outcome Measurement staff from the University of Minnesota are collaborating with Temple University, the Ohio State University, the University of California - San Francisco, and  Brandeis University’s Lurie Institute for Disability Policy, as well as other partners, supporters and stakeholders from around the country to study and support development of HCBS quality measures. The RRTC also offers technical assistance and consultation to organizations serving people with disabilities around the country to assist with selection and application of measures in different contexts.

For additional information please email rtcom@umn.edu.