| Record Number of Long Term Care Providers Earn Silver National Quality Award | https://publish.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Press-Releases/Pages/Record-Number-LTC-Providers-Earn-2026-AHCA-NCAL-Silver-National-Quality-Award.aspx | Record Number of Long Term Care Providers Earn Silver National Quality Award | | | | | 7/9/2026 4:00:00 AM | | <div><strong>WASHINGTON, D.C. –</strong> The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), which represents more than 15,000 long term and post-acute care providers across the country, today announced the recipients of the 2026 Silver – Achievement in Quality Award, the second level of the association’s National Quality Award Program. A record 255 recipients achieved Silver in 2026, as the Quality Award Program celebrates its 30-year anniversary. The program recognizes long term care organizations that meet progressively rigorous standards of quality to improve the lives of their residents. This year’s Silver recipients include 171 skilled nursing facilities (SNF), 46 assisted living (AL) communities, 36 combined SNF/AL providers, and 2 intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities across 43 states. <br> <br>“Earning the Silver Quality Award reflects a skilled nursing or assisted living organization's dedication to turning its commitment to quality into measurable results,” <strong>said Clif Porter, president and CEO of AHCA/NCAL.</strong> “This achievement requires commitment from every team member in every role, and together they have demonstrated that continuous improvement is embedded in their culture and guides the care they deliver every day. We congratulate our record number of Silver recipients on this significant achievement and thank the entire profession for embracing this nationally recognized program in the pursuit for excellence.” <br> <br>At the Silver level, organizations demonstrate how they systematically improve performance and achieve positive outcomes through effective approaches and processes. Applications are reviewed by a highly trained team of examiners using the nationally recognized Baldrige Performance Excellence Framework to evaluate how organizations deploy, assess, and refine their systems to drive continuous quality improvement. Recipients of the Silver Award are then eligible to pursue the Gold – Excellence in Quality Award, the program’s highest distinction. <br> <br>“Assisted living providers continue to raise the bar for person-centered care, and it is inspiring to see so many communities investing in the Quality Awards,” <strong>said LaShuan Bethea, executive director of NCAL.</strong> “Pursuing the Silver Award requires a tremendous commitment from leaders and staff alike, and I am proud of every assisted living community that has taken this important step in their quality journey.” <br> <br>This year, the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program proudly celebrates its 30th anniversary. Since its establishment in 1996, more than 8,000 providers across the country have participated in the rigorous program to strengthen their operations, improve outcomes, and enhance the lives of residents and staff. This milestone anniversary highlights the program’s lasting impact on advancing quality care throughout the long term care profession. <br> <br>“Silver Award recipients have proven that quality is more than a goal. It is rooted in the way they lead, operate, and serve others,”<strong> said Cathy Bergland, AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Board Chair.</strong> “Through their commitment to continuous improvement, these organizations are showing what it means to deliver quality care every day, and their leadership and dedication are helping to shape the future of long term care.” <br> <br>A full list of the 2026 Silver recipients is available on the AHCA/NCAL Quality Award website. Last month, AHCA/NCAL announced a record 894 organizations earned the Bronze – Commitment to Quality Award. The association will announce the recipients of this year’s Gold Award in August. <br> <br>The 2026 National Quality Award recipients will be celebrated at Delivering Solutions 26, the AHCA/NCAL Convention & Expo, October 11-14, 2026, in Boston, Mass. <br> <br>The 2026 National Quality Award Program is supported by AHCA/NCAL Associate Business Members: McKesson, Prevail by First Quality, Incite Workforce Solutions Powered by SnapCare, and HealthCap. <br> <br>To learn more about the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program, visit www.ahcancal.org/qualityaward. <br></div> | Today, AHCA/NCAL has announced a record 255 recipients of the 2026 Silver – Achievement in Quality Award, the highest number of Silver recipients in the National Quality Award Program’s 30-year history. | 255 recipients in 43 states are recognized for achievement in quality |
| AHCA/NCAL Announces 2026 Bronze National Quality Award Recipients | https://publish.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Press-Releases/Pages/AHCA-NCAL-Announces-2026-Bronze-National-Quality-Award-Recipients.aspx | AHCA/NCAL Announces 2026 Bronze National Quality Award Recipients | | | | | 5/28/2026 4:00:00 AM | | <div><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"><strong>WASHINGTON, D.C.</strong></span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"><strong> –</strong> The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), which represents more than 15,000 long term and post-acute care providers across the country, today announced the 2026 </span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">Bronze – Commitment to Quality</span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"> Award recipients. The National Quality Award Program recognizes organizations that meet progressively rigorous standards of quality to improve the lives of their residents. This year marks the highest number of Bronze recipients in the program’s history, with 713 skilled nursing facilities (SNF), 150 assisted living (AL) communities, 25 combined SNF/AL providers, four intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (ID/DD), and one residential care facility for ID/DD in all 50 states and the District of Columbia earning the Bronze Award. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></div><div><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></div><div><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">“Congratulations to this year’s Bronze Quality Award recipients for commencing their quality journey,” <strong>said </strong></span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"><strong>Clif Porter, president and CEO of AHCA/NCAL</strong></span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"><strong>.</strong> “These providers are demonstrating a strong commitment to delivering quality care and improving the lives of residents every day. We are proud to recognize hundreds of providers for their dedication to excellence and look forward to seeing their continued success.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></div><div><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></div><div><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">The AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program has three levels: Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Providers begin the quality improvement process at the Bronze level, where they assess their mission, vision, and other key factors that drive success. An esteemed group of trained examiners reviews each application to determine if the organization has met the demands of the award criteria, which is based on the nationally recognized Baldrige Performance Excellence Framework. After achieving the Bronze Award, recipients can pursue the Silver Award. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></div><div><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></div><div><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">“Quality care starts with a commitment to continuous improvement, and this year’s Bronze Award recipients are embracing that challenge,” <strong>said </strong></span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"><strong>LaShuan Bethea, executive director of NCAL.</strong></span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"> “Assisted living communities across the country are empowering their teams and creating better experiences for the residents and families they serve. We are proud to celebrate this important milestone in their quality journey.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></div><div><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></div><div><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">This year, the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program proudly celebrates its 30th anniversary. Since its establishment in 1996, more than 8,000 providers across the country have participated in the rigorous program to strengthen their operations, improve outcomes, and enhance the lives of residents and staff. This milestone anniversary highlights the program’s lasting impact on advancing quality care throughout the long term care profession.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></div><div><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></div><div><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">A full list of the 2026 Bronze recipients is available on the AHCA/NCAL Quality Award </span><a href="/Quality/National-Quality-Award-Program/Pages/QualityAwardRecipients.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">website</span></span></a><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">. The association will announce the recipients of this year’s Silver Award in July and the Gold Award recipients in August. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></div><div><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></div><div><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">The 2026 National Quality Award recipients will be celebrated at </span><a href="https://ds26.eventscribe.net/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">Delivering Solutions 26, the AHCA/NCAL Convention & Expo</span></span></a><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">, October 11-14, 2026, in Boston, Mass. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></div><div><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"> </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></div><div><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">The 2026 National Quality Award Program is supported by AHCA/NCAL Associate Business Members: McKesson, Prevail by First Quality, Incite Workforce Solutions Powered by SnapCare, and HealthCap. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></div> | Today, we're happy to announce the 2026 Bronze – Commitment to Quality Award recipients. A record 893 long term care providers in 50 states and the District of Columbia are recognized for commitment to quality. | A record 893 long term care providers in 50 states and the District of Columbia are recognized for commitment to quality |
| Celebrating 25 Years of NCAL: Assisted Living Providers Remain Committed to Quality | https://publish.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://publish.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. | |