A partnership between AHCA, AHCF, AFMC, OLTC and LTC Ombudsman, working together to promote culture change in nursing homes through Person Directed Care (PDC).

“If we did not open ourselves to growth and learning, we would still be rubbing two rocks together to provide a spark for our fire.”
Kathie J. Gately,SLTCO

What is the Arkansas Accord?
The long-term care environment has historically stressed the importance of quality clinical care. In 1987, the OBRA regulation was released with a new push towards ensuring not only quality of care but quality of life. Download Flyer

A national conference called the St. Louis Accord was held in June 2005. Attendees included representatives from state survey agencies, Quality Improvement Organizations (QIOs), long-term care ombudsmen and trade associations. The main goal was to launch national discussion about how each state could improve elder care. Arkansas was well represented, and attendees have joined with others to create the Arkansas Accord.

The Arkansas Accord has aligned state goals with those of the St. Louis Accord, which are:
1. To “create opportunities for dialogue that will identify the possibilities and potential barriers within each state toward the ultimate goal of transforming nursing homes."
2. To “develop an action plan with special consideration to outlining the practical strategies they can implement.”
3. Through this state action plan, to “identify the activities needed (and) the resources necessary and begin to outline a timeline that will facilitate activities that result in the adoption of person directed care in each respective state.”

What is “Person Directed Care”?
It is a national movement to promote ongoing transformation in the physical, organizational and psychosocial-spiritual environments based on person-centered values where care delivery systems are structured to restore control to elders and those who work most closely with them. See our Person Directed Care Tip Sheets page.

Arkansas ACCORD members:
Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care (AFMC) — Carol Compas, Betty Bennett
Arkansas Health Care Association (AHCA) — David Barker, Michelle Corter, Peggy Moody, Cathy Sudduth, Elaine Townsley, Andrea Gubanski
Arkansas Health Care Foundation — Kerri Marsh
State Longterm Care Ombudsman — Kathie Gately
Office of Long Term Care — Cephas Beene, Verline Hardaway, Melody Jones, Marilyn McColgan, Debbie Painter, Jane Pessa, B.J. Rivaldo, Carolyn Smart, Cecilia Vinson
Consumer — Virginia Vollmer