The Carey Guides Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Manual

The purpose of this manual is to enhance the effectiveness of the use of the Carey Guides through a deliberate and organized continuous quality improvement (CQI) effort. The purposes of the Carey Guide CQI process are to:

1. Determine the degree to which the Guides are used in the manner in which they are intended,
2. Identify agency and staff strengths (e.g., processes that are working effectively; advanced knowledge and skill level of staff, etc.),
3. Identify areas in need of improvement,
4. Provide staff with specific and direct feedback in order to support incremental improvements in their skills and/or the use of the Guides, and
5. Identify enhancements to existing processes and structures (e.g., additional training; increased oversight by supervisors, etc.) that will support the greater achievement of agencies’ goals.

The CQI manual provides three specific processes and tools to improve the outcomes derived from use of the Carey Guides including:

1. Client Feedback Survey. This tool measures the perceptions of clients’ regarding the usefulness of a session during which a Carey Guide “15 Minute Tool” is used.
2. The Carey Guides Case Audit Checklist. This tool measures the degree to which the Carey Guides/15 Minute Tools are used under appropriate circumstances (e.g., appropriate Guides/Tools are used based on risk/need assessment).
3. The Carey Guides Direct Observation Checklist. This tool measures the degree to which staff are using the Carey Guides as intended, and the extent to which staff incorporate the use of core correctional practices (e.g., building professional alliance; the use of skill practice and role modeling; etc.) in their use.

Manual orders include:

1. A pad of 50 tear-off sheets of the Client Feedback Survey
2. A pad of 25 tear-off sheets of the Case Audit Checklist
3. A pad of 25 tear-off sheets of the Direct Observation Checklist