| Celebrating 25 Years of NCAL: Assisted Living Providers Remain Committed to Quality | https://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/Celebrating-25-Years-of-NCAL-Assisted-Living-Providers-Remain-Committed-to-Quality.aspx | Celebrating 25 Years of NCAL: Assisted Living Providers Remain Committed to Quality | | | | | 3/3/2026 5:00:00 AM | | <p></p><div>As the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) celebrates its 25th anniversary, assisted living providers nationwide continue to demonstrate a strong commitment to quality. Every day, communities support older adults with compassion, innovation, and person-centered care—work that is increasingly vital as the Baby Boomer generation enters the long term and post-acute care continuum in unprecedented numbers. </div><div><br></div><div>A powerful reflection of this commitment is the <a href="/Quality/National-Quality-Award-Program/Pages/default.aspx" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program</a>. <strong>In 2026, assisted living providers achieved a new milestone: the highest number of participating communities in the program’s history.</strong> This record-setting engagement shows how deeply providers value structured, proven pathways to organizational excellence. </div><div><br></div><div>The program’s three level framework—Bronze, Silver, and Gold—helps organizations strengthen leadership, strategic planning, customer focus, workforce engagement, operations management, and outcomes. Grounded in the Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence, it remains one of the most comprehensive and cost-effective assessment tools in the assisted living profession. </div><div><br></div><div>A distinguishing feature of the program is its rigorous external feedback process. Trained examiners provide objective insights that help organizations identify gaps, validate effective systems, and prioritize data driven quality improvement. Providers consistently report that participation builds stronger teams, enhances collaboration, and elevates performance across a variety of metrics. </div><div><br></div><div>Ultimately, the National Quality Award Program delivers value far beyond recognition. It supports stronger daily operations, clearer communication with families, improved workforce engagement, and safer, more person-centered care—leading to better outcomes and a more stable environment for residents. </div><div><br></div><div>As NCAL marks 25 years of advancing assisted living, the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program reflects the profession’s progress and provides a roadmap for continued excellence. </div><div><br></div><div style="text-align:center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fk5RYMG9aPY" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank"><span class="ms-rteStyle-BlueButton">Learn More about the Assisted Living Gold Quality Award Recipients</span></a><br></div><p></p> | As NCAL celebrates its 25th anniversary, assisted living providers nationwide continue to demonstrate a strong commitment to quality. | |
| Quality Award Deadline Extension | https://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/Quality-Award-Deadline-Extension.aspx | Quality Award Deadline Extension | | | | | 1/23/2026 5:00:00 AM | | <div><span style="font-size:14.6667px;">AHCA/NCAL has been made aware of a nationwide Microsoft system outage that occurred on January 22, 2026. This outage may have affected some members’ ability to submit their AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award applications. To ensure that all members have the opportunity to submit their Quality Award applications and payments, we are <strong>extending the submission deadline one week to Thursday, January 29, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. ET. </strong>Starting on Monday, January 26, members can log into the <a href="https://ahcancal.smartsimple.com/s_Login.jsp" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">Quality Award Portal</a> and complete their application submission. </span></div><div><span style="font-size:14.6667px;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size:14.6667px;">The AHCA/NCAL team is committed to ensuring every member has the time and opportunity needed to complete and submit their application. Thank you for your continued dedication to quality improvement and your pursuit of excellence. </span></div><div><span style="font-size:14.6667px;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size:14.6667px;">A few helpful reminders: </span></div><div><ul><li><span style="font-size:14.6667px;">Not all applicants have been affected, and many applications have been received. To verify that your application has already been submitted, you can do one of the following: </span></li></ul><ol><ol><li>Confirm that you received a confirmation email titled “2026 AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Application and Payment Confirmation” from <strong>donotreply@smartsimple.com</strong>. </li><li>Log into the <a href="https://ahcancal.smartsimple.com/s_Login.jsp" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">Quality Award Portal</a>, select Current Applications and confirm the status of your 2026 application is “Submitted.” </li></ol></ol><ul><li><span style="font-size:14.6667px;">All applications and payments must be submitted through the <a href="https://ahcancal.smartsimple.com/s_Login.jsp" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">Quality Award Portal</a>. </span></li><li><span style="font-size:14.6667px;">If you encounter any problems with the portal, our <a href="/Quality/National-Quality-Award-Program/Pages/Help-Documents.aspx" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">Quality Award Portal Resource Center</a> provides a variety of help documents. You’re also always welcome to reach out to our <a href="mailto:qualityaward@ahca.org" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">Quality Award team</a> with questions. </span></li></ul></div><div><span style="font-size:14.6667px;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size:14.6667px;">Thank you for your continued dedication to quality care and for being part of the Quality Award community!</span></div><div><br></div> | AHCA/NCAL is extending the 2026 Quality Award application deadline due to a nationwide Microsoft system outage. | |
| REMINDER: Applications for the 2026 National Quality Awards Cycle Due This Thursday | https://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/REMINDER-Applications-for-the-2026-National-Quality-Awards-Cycle-Due-This-Thursday.aspx | REMINDER: Applications for the 2026 National Quality Awards Cycle Due This Thursday | | | | | 1/20/2026 5:00:00 AM | | A friendly reminder that the 2026 AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program application deadline is <em><strong>this week</strong></em>!<br><br>Applications are due no later than <strong>Thursday, January 22, 2026, at 8 PM ET</strong>.<br><br>As we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Quality Award Program, this is a great opportunity to reflect on your organization’s commitment to quality improvement, resident-centered care, and continuous learning.<br><br>A few helpful reminders:<br><br><ul><li>You may still apply even if you did not complete an Intent to Apply. </li></ul><div></div><ul><li>All applications must be submitted through the <a title="https://click.email.ahca.org/?qs=ff02bb3339b04b43dede614734b996788cc54cbf1c5a42b554eef38d62bcd2ed1c254120d6d109db174f7732eed05cbc59b71915236e91b7" data-linkto="https://" data-auth="NotApplicable" href="https://click.email.ahca.org/?qs=ff02bb3339b04b43dede614734b996788cc54cbf1c5a42b554eef38d62bcd2ed1c254120d6d109db174f7732eed05cbc59b71915236e91b7&_gl=1%2awgxopy%2a_gcl_au%2aNTMyMTgzODE4LjE3Njc2NDY4MDg." data-linkindex="1" data-ogsc="rgb(4, 100, 152)" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">Quality Award Portal</a>.</li></ul><div></div><ul><li>If you encounter any problems with the portal, our <a title="https://click.email.ahca.org/?qs=ff02bb3339b04b43f91c833e6f2b33c99ba7fa504e18311746eae38d2d82c13f2f8efe7a6d7789aa80c1fe0822da18017eb8105ea0523761" data-linkto="https://" data-auth="NotApplicable" href="https://click.email.ahca.org/?qs=ff02bb3339b04b43f91c833e6f2b33c99ba7fa504e18311746eae38d2d82c13f2f8efe7a6d7789aa80c1fe0822da18017eb8105ea0523761&_gl=1%2awgxopy%2a_gcl_au%2aNTMyMTgzODE4LjE3Njc2NDY4MDg." data-linkindex="2" data-ogsc="rgb(4, 100, 152)" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">Quality Award Portal Resource Center</a> provides a variety of help documents. You’re also always welcome to reach out to our <a title="mailto:qualityaward@ahca.org?subject=" data-linkto="mailto:" href="mailto:qualityaward@ahca.org?subject=" data-linkindex="3" data-ogsc="rgb(4, 100, 152)" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">Quality Award team</a> with questions.<br></li></ul><span data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody">Thank you for your continued dedication to quality care and for being part of the Quality Award community!</span><div><br></div><div><div style="text-align:center;"><span data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody"></span><a href="/Quality/National-Quality-Award-Program/Pages/default.aspx?utm_source=MarketingCloud&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=REMINDER+Applications+for+the+2026+National+Quality+Award+Cycle+Due+January+22&utm_content=https%3a//www.ahcancal.org/Quality/National-Quality-Award-Program/Pages/default.aspx" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank"><strong class="ms-rteFontSize-3">APPLY NOW</strong></a><br></div></div> | | |
| Don’t Miss the 2026 National Quality Award Application Deadline | https://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/Don’t-Miss-the-2026-National-Quality-Award-Application-Deadline.aspx | Don’t Miss the 2026 National Quality Award Application Deadline | | | | | 12/11/2025 5:00:00 AM | | <span data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody">Next year marks a special milestone – the 30th anniversary of the <a data-auth="NotApplicable" href="https://click.email.ahca.org/?qs=c2e0dd4fa0f78df4f0ce379c6c272e4f6838fccb6dc3623ce6fefde08df0e723545bda639c76e32c5c1aea68c3f74a053a9bdc3342578a13" data-linkindex="3" title="https://click.email.ahca.org/?qs=c2e0dd4fa0f78df4f0ce379c6c272e4f6838fccb6dc3623ce6fefde08df0e723545bda639c76e32c5c1aea68c3f74a053a9bdc3342578a13" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"><span data-ogsc="rgb(4, 100, 152)">AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program!</span></a> For three decades, this program has helped long term and post-acute care providers strengthen their systems, improve outcomes, and celebrate excellence in care. <br><br>If you are planning to apply for a 2026 National Quality Award, please remember that applications are due by <strong>January 22, 2026, at 8:00 PM ET. </strong><br><br><strong>WHAT IF WE DIDN’T SUBMIT AN INTENT TO APPLY (ITA)? </strong><br>You can still apply! The ITA is not mandatory. While submitting an ITA provides benefits like discounted application fees and additional resources, it is not required to submit a Bronze, Silver, or Gold application. <br><br><strong>WHY APPLY? </strong><br>Whether this is your first time applying or you are advancing to the next level, participating in the National Quality Award Program can: </span><br><br><ul><li>Help you identify strengths and opportunities for improvement; </li><li>Support better outcomes for residents and staff; </li><li>Recognize your team’s hard work and commitment to quality; and <br></li><li>Highlight your organization as a leader in long term and post-acute care. </li></ul><strong>ACTION NEEDED:</strong> <br>Log into the <a data-auth="NotApplicable" href="https://click.email.ahca.org/?qs=c2e0dd4fa0f78df432bc0a1eb02bd08acb53e28fb79213bde805b2d5b7fadc14b03ad1bb5348a17312dda824a9c84a00e8fece78c3c43597" data-linkindex="4" title="https://click.email.ahca.org/?qs=c2e0dd4fa0f78df432bc0a1eb02bd08acb53e28fb79213bde805b2d5b7fadc14b03ad1bb5348a17312dda824a9c84a00e8fece78c3c43597" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"><span data-ogsc="rgb(4, 100, 152)">Quality Award Portal</span></a> to complete your application, then submit it no later than January 22, 2026, at 8:00 PM ET. We encourage you not to wait until the last minute in case you encounter any technical or internal delays. <br><br>Thank you for your ongoing commitment to quality. We look forward to celebrating our 30th anniversary year by recognizing providers like you who go above and beyond for the individuals you serve. <br><br>Questions? Contact <a href="mailto:qualityaward@ahca.org?subject=" data-linkindex="5" title="mailto:qualityaward@ahca.org?subject=" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"><span data-ogsc="rgb(4, 100, 152)">qualityaward@ahca.org</span></a>. <br> | | |