Phase 4: Launch, Marketing & Sustained Growth
With your facility licensed and operational systems in place, this phase focuses on successfully launching your RAL, attracting residents through compliant marketing, managing finances effectively, and establishing systems for continuous quality improvement and long-term growth.
Key Objective 1: Compliant Marketing & Resident Acquisition
Implement your marketing plan while ensuring all advertising and promotional materials are truthful and comply with TAC §553.27 (Advertising).
- Develop marketing materials (brochures, website, social media content).
- Network with referral sources (hospitals, physicians, senior centers, discharge planners).
- Conduct facility tours for prospective residents and their families.
- Clearly communicate services offered, facility type, and any specialty care (e.g., Alzheimer's).
- Ensure admission criteria are applied consistently and non-discriminatorily.
Consult our Marketing Templates Toolkit for guidance.
Key Objective 2: Financial Management & Operational Efficiency
Implement robust financial management systems and continuously seek operational efficiencies.
- Track revenue, expenses, and cash flow accurately.
- Manage budgets effectively and control costs.
- Implement efficient billing and collection processes.
- Regularly review financial performance against projections.
- Optimize staffing schedules, supply procurement, and resource utilization.
Our Financial Templates Toolkit can assist with budgeting and projections.
Key Objective 3: Quality Assurance & Performance Improvement (QAPI)
Establish a QAPI program to proactively identify and address areas for improvement in resident care and facility operations (TAC §553.41(k) requires quality assessment and assurance committee for facilities with 17 or more beds, but good practice for all).
- Collect data on key performance indicators (e.g., resident satisfaction, staff turnover, medication errors, falls, infections).
- Conduct regular internal audits and reviews of processes.
- Analyze data to identify trends and root causes of problems.
- Implement corrective actions and monitor their effectiveness.
- Involve staff, residents, and families in quality improvement efforts.
Key Objective 4: Survey Readiness & Ongoing Compliance
Maintain a state of continuous survey readiness and ensure ongoing compliance with all HHSC regulations.
- Conduct regular self-inspections using HHSC survey protocols as a guide.
- Keep all policies, procedures, and records up-to-date and readily accessible.
- Ensure staff are knowledgeable about regulations and facility policies.
- Promptly address any deficiencies identified internally or by HHSC.
- Stay informed about changes to TAC Chapter 553 and HSC Chapter 247.
Refer to our Compliance Checklists Toolkit.
Key Objective 5: Strategic Planning for Growth & Sustainability
Develop long-term strategies for business sustainability and potential growth.
- Monitor market trends and adapt services as needed.
- Consider future expansion, adding new services, or changing facility type/capacity (requires HHSC approval, see TAC §553.17 Change in License).
- Plan for succession if applicable.
- If considering a sale or acquisition, understand the Change of Ownership (CHOW) process (TAC §553.19 Change of Ownership).