Abstract
] ECCLI'S overall program goal is to promote systemic change and build capacity within the long-term care and work force development communities in support of the following goals and objectives: (1)Improve quality of care; (2) Promote skill development; (3) Create and institutionalize career ladders and other workplace practices that support and develop workers; and (4) Improve employee retention. [
] The attached baseline evaluation report is presented as a working paper for the information of researchers and practitioners in the field of nursing home quality and workforce development. It covers the period from March 2001 to June 2001 when the ECCLI program was getting underway, and was submitted to the Commonwealth Corporation of Massachusetts, the quasi--public agency that is administering the funds from the Nursing Home Quality Initiative. Future reports will analyze data collected by the researchers after this baseline and planning period. [
] Major findings include insight into the process of forming consortia across unfamiliar realms of human services (health care and workforce development and education), and challenges for the participants as they consider and implement organizational change as well as training programs for frontline workers as well as supervisors.