Confident Choices Reviewer Training

How to become a Volunteer Reviewer for the Confident Choices for Senior Living Program
Aging Services of Minnesota is seeking members to volunteer to make site visits to applicants for the Confident Choices for Senior Living program. Once a Confident Choices application has been determined to be complete by Aging Services staff, two trained reviewers make a scheduled visit to learn more about the programs described in the application and to view the grounds and common areas. The site visits usually take about one hour, and we always try to pair a new reviewer with a member that has already made several Confident Choices site visits.

Qualifications: Aging Services members with experience working in senior housing and services are welcome to go through the reviewer training. Although we hope that reviewers will also apply for the Confident Choices designation for their own building, even if your building is not yet a Confident Choices designee, we'd love to have you as a volunteer reviewer.

What Do Confident Choices Reviewers Do?: Once staff has determined that an application is ready for a site visit, we will ask for volunteers from the list of trained reviewers from the area to do the site visit. Once two reviewers have volunteered and it's been determined that they have no conflict of interest, they coordinate with the applicant to find a mutually convenient time for the visit. Because reviewers are volunteering their time, Aging Services covers mileage and meal costs that they incur when making a site visit.

Prior to the visit, we ask the reviewers to read through the application and note any questions that they want to ask during the site visit. Once on-site, there is a checklist with a comments section that they complete. In addition, we ask reviewers to note any "best" practices that would be useful to share with other providers. When the comments are compiled, the reviewers send  their comments along with their recommendation whether the applicant should receive the Confident Choices designation to Aging Services. If there are questions about whether an applicant should receive the designation, the reviewers should contact Aging Services staff.

What are the Benefits of Being a Reviewer?: Those who have done several reviews are enthusiastic about the benefits they get out of visiting other member sites and networking with the other reviewer and the on-site staff. Here are some of the other comments reviewers have made about the benefits they've found in being a Confident Choices reviewer:

• "I LOVE doing the site visits. We often hear about the good work going on at our member sites but to actually go and be a witness to this good work is inspiring."
  
• During the site visits, you get great ideas to take back to your own community, and you're inspired to look at your own practices differently.
  
• Just expanding your knowledge about senior communities is helpful.
  
• It's great being exposed to so much "good news."
  
• It's a great opportunity for networking, and getting to know your peer community is always a benefit.
  

How Do I Become a Trained Reviewer?: There are a few simple steps to become a trained reviewer:

• Review the PowerPoint and/or watch the video training, found at http://www.mhha-apps.com/webinars/06-10-10.html
  
• Read and sign the Confidentiality Statement and fax it to Mary Youle at 651.645.0002.
  
• Review the Checklist and Tips for Reviewers.
  
• Also, for your information, we have posted the Conflict of Interest form that you will be asked to sign prior to each site visit and a copy of the Review Sheet that will be completed for each applicant.
  
• Contact Mary Youle at 651.645.4545 to review any questions about the site review process and to let her know you're ready to be added to the list of trained reviewers.

Once you have completed the training and have submitted your Confidentiality Statement, we will add you to the email list for your Aging Services district. When we are seeking reviewers for a building in your area, you'll receive an email. When you have volunteered and been selected to do a site visit, we will send you a copy of the application and the review sheet, a Conflict of Interest form to sign and fax to Aging Services, and contact information for the other reviewer and the applicant. We'll also send you an expense form to cover your mileage and other expenses related to making the visit.

If you have questions at any point in the process, please call Mary Youle at 651-645-4545 or email myoule@agingservicesmn.org.