Thursday, November 20, 2014

Magnified

I had planned to participate in a clever questions post that is making the rounds. The timing is perfect with it being #NaBloPoMo Day #20 and with every ounce of energy sucked out of me. 

You see, I spent eight exhausting hours at a CQI training today. Continuous Quality Improvement is mind numbing number mumbo jumbo, statisistical analysis bullshit. Why don't I tell you exactly how I feel about it? 

I said more than once today "there's a reason I work with people and not with numbers." Rattling off all the mean, mode and median qualitative quantitative continuous discrete blah, blah, blah is NOT going to get my client out of jail.  It isn't going to take provide a meal when her food stamps run out, or give her the courage to leave her ten year long abusive relationship. It  isn't going to magically transport her out of poverty. The numbers won't qualify her for a better paying job.  The carefully constructed bar graph can't cover the electricity bill this month or transport the sick baby to the doctor. 

I wish numbers could provide some hope for the families I serve. Instead it magnifies the shameful ways our nation disappoints and ignores some of the most vulnerable citizens.

And there you have it folks-the question post that turned into a rant.


4 comments:

@dkotucker said...

Yes...I really do think you need to work on expressing your feelings Robbie. ;)

Sorry you're feeling spent these days but good on you for taking on #NaBloPoMo Hang in there my friend!

Robbie K said...

I a working on venting :) I've only missed one day of NaBloPoMo but I wish I had more time and energy to devote to it.

John said...

As someone who knows CQI, and how to facilitate a Kaizen event, and, basically, well, all of the stuff "behind the scenes" with continuous improvement? You have my condolences.

Robbie K said...

Thank you John! It just seemed like they were telling us a bunch of stuff we DO NOT need to know when I want some REAL things I can do to imrove the quality of my clients lives.