CAST releases IT strategy workbook for LTPAC organizations

The guide was specifically designed to help executive teams assess their information technology (IT) needs relative to their organization's strategic goals and to identify technologies to help achieve these goals.

Among the topics covered:

• Governance structure and the role of the chief information officer
• Strategic planning approaches and steps
• IT infrastructure
• Operational planning, selection, implementation and support

"In this era of shifting reimbursements, increasing demand to do more for less, rising consumer expectations for quality, and increasing need to demonstrate excellence through objective data, there really hasn’t been a more critical time for aging services providers to be thinking strategically about technology," Majd Alwan, executive director of CAST, said in a press release. "This guide will ensure that providers incorporate technology throughout their strategic plan in a way that helps them meet those changing needs and enable quality-of-care and quality-of-life outcomes for those they serve."

Larry Minnix, president and CEO of LeadingAge, added: "In the world of nonprofit aging service providers, it isn’t uncommon for organizations to be 10 to 20 years behind in their IT solutions. Investing in technology strategy will help a LeadingAge member’s core business, while allowing them to expand in new directions and thrive."

CAST plans on releasing additional supplemental resources such as flow charts and an online educational module in the months ahead.