DDES INFO MEMO 2006-19

STATE OF WISCONSIN
Department of Health and Family Services 
Division of Disability and Elder Services 
DDES Info Memo Series 2006 - 19

To: Listserv

For: Area Administrators/Human Services Area Coordinators
County COP Coordinators
County Department of Community Program Directors
County Departments of Developmental Disabilities Services Directors
County Departments of Human Services Directors
County Departments of Social Services Directors
County Waiver Coordinators
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Human Services Facilitators

From: Sinikka Santala
           Administrator

           Otis Woods
           Bureau Director

Subject: BQA Transfer and Name Change

Effective October 15, the Bureau of Quality Assurance will transfer from the Division of Disability and Elder Services (DDES) to the Office of the Secretary of the Department of Health and Family Services (DHFS). The Bureau of Quality Assurance will be renamed the Office of Quality Assurance and will report directly to the DHFS Secretary's Office.

During the past year, BQA has become a strong organization with a stable and competent management team. It is now well positioned to become an office with direct reporting structure to the Secretary's Office.

This realignment further implements the original DDES reorganization plan approved by the Department of Administration in March 2003, which indicates that future reengineering and changes to bureau structure may be necessary. This realignment further implements DDES restructuring by removing the perceived conflict of interest within DDES inherent in the current organizational structure that contains the five regulated entities along with the regulating agency.

For providers and stakeholders, the transfer of BQA to the secretary's office will be transparent. The Office of Quality Assurance will continue to be comprised of four sections with staff in regional and central offices. The only significant change is that the OQA will have office status and will report directly to DHFS Deputy Secretary.

DDES and OQA will continue to share many strategic goals for quality improvement, regulatory flexibility and person centered services as we continue to reform the long-term care system and improve service in the mental health and substance abuse area. Expect these two organizations to continue to collaborate towards these shared goals to ensure quality of life and quality of care for Wisconsin vulnerable citizens.

CENTRAL OFFICE CONTACT:
Contact information for OQA Management staff is as follows:

Otis Woods, Director
(608) 267-7185 
woodsol@dhfs.state.wi.us 

Jane Walters, Deputy Director
(608) 266-7952 
walteja@dhfs.state.wi.us 

Kevin Coughlin, Assisted Living Section Chief
(920) 448-5255 
coughkj@dhfs.state.wi.us 

Jane Eakins, Provider Regulation and Quality Improvement Section Chief
608-266-2055 
eakinjl@dhfs.state.wi.us 

Cremear Mims, Health Services Section Chief
(608) 243-2028 
mimsch@dhfs.state.wi.us 

Paul Peshek, Resident Care Review Section Chief
(608) 267-0351 
pesheph@dhfs.state.wi.us  

MEMO WEB SITE: http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/dsl_info/ 

Last Revised: October 06, 2006