June 27, 2014
ALTSA: ALF #2014-005
DEPARTMENT'S ROLE
Dear Assisted Living Facility Administrator:
This supersedes ALTSA: ALF #2013-003 – Department's Role as a Regulator.
I want to take this time to formally introduce myself to you as the new Director of Residential Care Services (RCS). I started this position in March and am very pleased to be here. Please allow me the opportunity to briefly outline how I envision RCS' role moving forward.
First, I want to draw your attention to RCS' purpose statement:
"To promote and protect the rights, security and well-being of individuals living in licensed, residential settings."
This is why we do what we do and you do what you do. The health, safety, well-being and quality of life of adults who are vulnerable has always been, and will continue to be, RCS' paramount concern in determining whether to issue a license to an applicant, whether to suspend or revoke a license, or whether to take other licensing actions.
RCS' objectives include:
- Advocacy partnerships with individuals who are vulnerable, their representatives, family members, providers, and others working for their benefit; and
- A fair, consistent, and efficient regulatory system that promotes positive outcomes.
RCS' role is to develop and enforce standards that promote the health, welfare, safety and quality of life for adults who are vulnerable and receiving long-term care services in our licensed/certified settings. I commit to you that RCS will work in the spirit of greater partnership moving forward to help the facilities we are responsible for regulating to operate in a more sustained, regulatory compliant manner; providing more guidance to all facilities we are responsible for regulating. Due to the nature of our business, there will be times where we may not agree, but it is my hope that we continue to remember that we are both working towards the same purpose and objectives.
Thank you for your support in ensuring our valued residents receive the culturally competent, medically-appropriate and high quality services they deserve.
Sincerely,
Carl I. Walters II, Director
Residential Care Services