To earn public trust, an aging-services organization's employees need to be committed to AAHSA Quality First and see it as a program that allows them to serve as a member of team devoted to the people they serve.

The following section features templates that you can use as models, fact sheets and other resource materials for your organization.

Templates

Sample Letter to Staff Members about AAHSA Quality First
Explaining your organization's commitment to Quality First is an important part in earning the trust of your organization's staff members. Use this sample letter to explain the program and its important role in achieving excellence in our field.

First Impressions Assessment Form
As the old saying goes, first impressions are lasting impressions. Perhaps your organization could benefit from assessing the impressions you make on new staff members. Asking these individuals to complete this sheet can help you identify opportunities to improve you organization and more importantly, forward on your journey to achieve excellence and earn public trust.

How to Create a Fact Sheet about Your Aging Services Organization
The first step to earning public trust is providing the public with the basic information about your organization so they know who you are and how you are dedicated to serving older adults. Use this template to design a fact sheet that can help your organization achieve this goal.

Fact Sheets

Provider Personalizes Quality First Commitment for Employees
At the United Presbyterian Home in Washington, Iowa, each staff member has the opportunity to sign the Quality First Covenant and commit to achieving excellence in the work he or she does for older adults.

Quality First Goals and Objectives
A succinct description of Quality First outlining the program's ideals and goals. This is great tool for a presentation to your staff.

How Your Colleagues Implement Quality First
AAHSA members across the continuum are implementing Quality First in a variety of ways. Here are some of their stories about making the commitment, getting Board support, assessing their work and developing new programs to show their commitment to quality.

Other Resources

AAHSA Quality First Discussion Guide
Use this guide to encourage discussion about important issues, identify strengths and opportunities for improvement and most importantly, move forward on your organization's unique journey toward quality.

Second Edition of the Providers' Checklist for Quality First
This updated version of the Checklist includes several new characteristics of the ideal aging-services organization, building on the previous edition. Use it as a tool to help your organization identify areas of strength and for growth.

AAHSA Quality First Self-Study
The Self-Study will assist AAHSA members—across the continuum of aging services—to assess strengths and opportunities for improvement as they relate to Quality First’s 10 Elements of Quality.