A collaborative working relationship is a positive way to build assurance with a provider when you are evaluating their program. Your job is to assure that all regulatory and contractual agreements are carried out. Building that collaborative relationship takes patience, respect, and good communication.
You and your providers must have a clear understanding on what each person’s role is. Educating the provider on what is expected of you to carry out your responsibilities helps her to understand why you are requiring documentation or action on her part. When doing this you are establishing appropriate professional boundaries so you and your provider know what is expected from each of you.
Work together on common goals. Common goals are ones that assist each other on completing a task.
For example: A provider must submit her menus on a timely basis. Your provider is always late and has missed a couple of reimbursements. When she fails to return her menus and attendance sheet Provider’s Resources misses out on the reimbursement for monitoring that home. The provider misses out on her reimbursement for feeding the children approved meals. Both have the common goal - The paperwork must be submitted on time for reimbursement.
As the monitor, you should sit with the provider to show her how to make out her menus correctly and help her to work into her schedule the time for completing and scheduling the paperwork on time. Working with the provider towards your mutual goals is an example of a collaborative working relationship. When she receives her reimbursement in a timely fashion because she has submitted them correctly and on time, the benefits of your collaboration will be reinforced.
Some providers may try to have you fill out menus for them. Though this may speed up the process, you would never want to take on her responsibility. Providing good technical assistance in a patient way supports your providers and allows them to feel they are capable of operating a successful business. The more confidence and trust they feel in you, the more willing they are to work collaboratively to reach future goals.