THE PIONEER EXCHANGE

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Building a Network in Indiana

Diaries
by Jennifer Oxtoby
Posted on Wed Sep 28, 2005 at 08:51:51 AM EST

I am recently involved in the Culture Change movement and am perhaps involved from a different perspective than most.  My background is HR/Org Development and Training Design & Delivery.  I have gotten involved in this initiative through a fateful request from a good friend who is a Social Worker at a LTC facility here in Indiana.  She asked if I might be interested in facilitating some teambuilding activities that might help improve relationships, morale and communication at her home.  Once I became familiar with their issues and did a little digging, I stumbled across all of you -- WOW!  I have been amazed at the volume of research and literature that is available and have learned so much from the work that is being done (I have particularly enjoyed the work of the Pioneer Network, PEAK, Action Pact, Susan Eaton, Better Jobs/Better Care and the exciting things going on in NC).

I am currently volunteering my services and am working with this one facility who is very interested in exploring culture change.  However, I know this is so much bigger than one facility.  Those of you have done this the most successfully, appear to have done it through a network of learning and sharing. So, I need your advice and help...

I am located in the Fort Wayne area.  There are two facilities here who have recently completed a pilot with our State's QIO and are on their way.  However, from what I can determine, most facilities have not started (or are just thinking about it).  

I want to start a network of pioneers in our area.  I want to coordinate some sort of forum for facilities that are interested in getting together and sharing and learning from each other.  I am considering the idea of sending out invitations to all of the Administrators and Directors in our area with a little background on the culture change movement and an invite to join a "roundtable" where we will discuss this movement and see where it takes us.  

Maybe some of you know of something in our area that I'm not aware of that I could join in.  I am passionate about this work and really want to be involved.  I think I could make a difference somewhere.

Do any of you have suggestions or ideas?

< Native American Perspectives on Elder Care | Upcoming PBS documentary: Almost home >



Great diary (none / 0)

Thanks Jennifer.  Your background is perfectly suited to growing the culture change movement in your area.  I really like your idea about organizing an informational forum for local providers, and the two facilities participating in the QIO initiative are a good place to start in terms of reaching out.  

Are you familiar with the Almost Home documentary that will be airing in January?  You could use that as a way to engage others in a discussion about what culture change is and what it isn't.

I just co-authored a paper that you might find useful in explaining culture change to others -- I'll send it along to you.  

And I will create an "Indiana" permanent story entry that you can use in terms of inviting others in Indiana to have a dialogue about what your culture change network could look like.
 


by joe angelelli on Thu Sep 29, 2005 at 06:12:38 AM EST
Calling all Hoosiers (none / 0)

Thanks Joe.  I have seen the Almost Home documentary and agree that it would a useful starting point to get a dialogue going.  I also appreciate your paper -- you have laid out a very useful roadmap for getting people involved.

I would love to hear from anyone in Indiana who is involved in culture change or (would like to be).  I will post updates on the Story page you will create for us.  


by Jennifer Oxtoby on Fri Sep 30, 2005 at 11:51:38 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Building an Indiana Network (none / 0)

  I would be more than willing to help you get started.  I am in Avilla, which is about 30 minutes north of Ft.Wayne.  Let me know.   You can email me at ChandraJWilson@provenahealth.com

by Chandra Wilson on Wed Jan 04, 2006 at 11:32:54 AM EST
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