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2010 Pathways to Greatness Recognition Program

Pathways to Greatness is a program that identifies the primary attributes of high-performing aging-services providers. Apply today by submitting core information and financial data.  

Background

Several years ago, the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA) joined with two other leading aging-services organizations to launch the Quality First initiative. Providers that participate in Quality First are those that strive to achieve excellence in aging services and to earn public trust. More than 60 percent of AAHSA members have signed the Quality First Covenant and embarked on a journey of commitment to continuously improve quality.

Since Quality First was launched, AAHSA has provided members with numerous tools to engage in self-assessment and communicate their commitment to quality. For the fourth year, LarsonAllen LLP, a national CPA, consulting, and advisory firm serving aging-services providers, and AAHSA are sponsoring Pathways to Greatness, a national program to help AAHSA members move forward on their Quality First journeys. Pathways to Greatness is designed to define the primary attributes of high-quality aging-services organizations and recognize them for their excellence.

Many past applicants don’t consider themselves the epitome of “greatness.” Generally, they have participated in this program to get one step closer to the goal of achieving greatness. Learn about the 2009 award recipient and past programs.

Benefits

Pathways to Greatness will help educate the field about the attributes of greatness and how to achieve them, while also allowing those recognized to enhance their reputations in their communities.

Through this recognition program, we continue to identify the traits of high-performing organizations so aging-services providers can:

• Define the paths required to achieve greatness
• Successfully meet the changing demands of their customers
• Use disciplined processes to improve and measure results
• Develop a committed and skilled workforce

The findings will benefit you, your boards, constituencies, and the aging-services field.

Application process

Participation is open to AAHSA Quality First Covenant signers that provide two or more services and programs for older adults. This recognition is not limited to CCRCs. It is open to all aging-services organizations meeting the above criteria. The application deadline is June 15, 2010. We encourage you to participate and help define Pathways to Greatness in our field, and we thank you for your continued leadership.

All materials shared as part of this process will be treated as confidential. Collective findings will be shared; however, organizational practices will not be attributed to individual organizations in post-application publications. AAHSA and LarsonAllen will not utilize the data accumulated for any purpose outside the Pathways to Greatness Recognition Program.

Filling out the application

To properly prepare and understand the information being requested, please read the entire application (both forms) before getting started. We recommend you keep copies of all your documentation to make the application process easier in future years.

Application form I

Download, save, and fill out the narrative information form (Microsoft Word). It includes:

• Core values and concepts
• Criteria and methodology
• Volunteer panel
• Process to recognize “great” organizations

Application form II

Download, save, and input your financial data in the statistical information form (Microsoft Excel).

Submit your application

The application deadline is June 15, 2010. Upon completion of the application, please email both documents to pathwaystogreatness@larsonallen.com. If emailing the application is not an option, please print the completed forms and mail them to:

Attention: Shelly Bakker
LarsonAllen LLP
220 South Sixth Street, Suite 300
Minneapolis, MN 55402

Announcement of award recipient

The organization(s) chosen to be honored will receive recognition at AAHSA’s 2010 Annual Meeting and Exposition in Los Angeles this November, as well as in the widely distributed final report.

Contact us

If you have questions about the application, please contact Nicole Fallon at nfallon@larsonallen.com or 612-376-4843, or Mike Slavik at mslavik@larsonallen.com or 617-984-8116.