Sample Letter to Policymakers About AAHSA Quality First
Topic: Signing the Covenant

UPDATED: December 19, 2005

____________ (Insert Date)

Dear _________________ (insert legislator's name):

_________________ (insert organization name) recently signed the Quality First Covenant, joining thousands of aging-services providers nationwide in a commitment to continuous quality improvement.

Quality First is an initiative of the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA) and the _________________ (insert state association name). It is a philosophy of quality and a framework designed to help organizations like ours achieve excellence and earn public trust. By signing the Quality First Covenant, we are committing to 10 Elements of Quality, including leading-edge care and services, consumer participation, and good governance.

To start our organization's Quality First journey, _________________ (insert organization name) has implemented the following programs:

• (List your organization's steps in implementing Quality First. These programs can include developing a committee, conducting a program for your staff about Quality First, writing an article about Quality First for your organization's newsletter or hosting a program for your residents and clients about your involvement with Quality First.)
• (List another Quality First initiative.)

Another important step on our organization's Quality First journey is to help public officials learn more about the care and services we provide to older adults. We encourage you and your staff members to attend and participate in any of our public events. To schedule a tour, please contact _________________ (insert contact name) at _________________ (insert phone number). He/she will be happy to help you plan this visit.

Please contact us if you have questions about our involvement with AAHSA Quality First. You can also visit the AAHSA Quality First Web site at www.aahsa.org/qualityfirst. We look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

_________________