Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction History of QStP

What is QStP?

Quality Services through Partnership -- also known as QStP -- is a process for continuously improving the services provided by state government. It is based on the principles of partnership, customer focus, continuous learning and teamwork. With QStP, management and unions work hand in hand as full partners.

How did QStP get started?

QStP began in Ohio in 1991 through a public/private partnership between Xerox and the state. In February 1993, Governor Voinovich and union leadership met at Xerox headquarters to receive additional training. This led to a commitment to develop Ohio's quality improvement plan in full partnership. The State and the unions have agreed to keep QStP separate from the collective bargaining process. The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction became involved in the process in 1992 with the training of the Director and executive staff of the Department.

Who is involved?

With QStP, management and unions have come together in a unique partnership. They are working partners to ensure that QStP is done right the first time. Partnership means that unions have equal representation on all QStP Steering Committees. It also means that union representatives are involved in the selection of trainers, selecting team facilitators, identifying processes for improvement, and guiding the overall effort as members of the Steering Committees. Beyond this, every employee is involved in the process. It is critical that employee involvement is a priority.

How is QStP being implemented?

Our Department has a QStP Steering Committee composed of equal numbers of labor and management members. This group guides and supports the QStP process at the Department level. Each prison, parole regional office, and other sites also have a QStP Steering Committee responsible for implementation at the local level. This decentralized approach enables areas to select their own facilitators, identify specific improvements projects and tailor the change process as needed.

QStP is not a program that will be here today and gone tomorrow. It is a long term undertaking that starts with awareness and commitment--and continues until continuous improvement becomes a daily routine in every area of the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. The quality process will lead us to the accomplishment of our vision.

For more information regarding the QStP initiative, contact the Bureau of Quality & Community Partnerships.

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