ARC of Rockland Receives Accreditation for Excellence

From ARC of Rockland:

On January 9, 2015 ARC of Rockland received accreditation from the internationally-recognized Council on Quality and Leadership (CQL).

“CQL is the gold standard in the field,” notes ARC Executive Director Carmine Marchionda. “The process of attaining certification began nearly two years ago and entailed a rigorous examination of each of the supports and services we provide. With person-centered planning at the heart of our efforts, we have redesigned some of our offerings to stress the greatest possible emphasis on the individual. The focus on community inclusion and enhanced communication among and between staffers, families and the people we support are essential to the success of this organization.”

A CQL three-person evaluation team spent five working days reviewing documents prepared by ARC of Rockland and meeting with people involved in every facet of the agency. Leading the team was Becky Hansen of South Dakota, Vice President for Accreditation and Training for CQL. Jeff Shoemaker of Colorado and Jill Westring of Nebraska, Quality Enhancement Specialists with CQL comprised the team.

Jane Zemon, ARC Associate Executive Director for Quality Assurance headed up the CQL process at ARC. “This has been a true group effort. Special thanks go to Bob Brooke, ARC Director of Quality Improvement. Bob undertook the monumental task of overseeing the gathering of information required for accreditation. Actually, in one way or another, every staff person and every person who relies upon ARC of Rockland has been touched by the thorough analysis of our agency and all of its components during the past 24 months. Receiving this accreditation sets us apart as an organization with a real understanding of the direction the field must take in placing the person first in all that we do”.

The Council on Quality and Leadership was founded in 1969. In addition to the United States, CQL accredits or provides training at agencies and organizations in Canada, Ireland, New Zealand and Australia.

In reflecting upon her observations at ARC, Ms. Hansen says, “There is a sense of passion and commitment here. The people we’ve met expressed their trust in this agency. They appreciate the ability to have open discussions and they know that they are taken seriously.”

Commenting upon his visit to an ARC home, Mr. Shoemaker says, “it was one of the most pleasant visits I have had anywhere.”

Ms. Westring was particularly impressed with the evident skills of the men and women employed by eWorks, ARC’s household and corporate electronics recycling center. “I’m a tree hugger,” she explains noting the positive impact recycling has on the environment.

“The CQL evaluation and accreditation has been an educational, exciting and productive experience,” says President of the ARC Board of Directors Richard Sirota. “The strategic plan that we have created through this process will help guide us into the future as we determine the ways in which we should support the people in our care.”

“We are thrilled to have received CQL accreditation,” states Mr. Marchionda. “But this is just a first step. CQL is actually a four-year process during which time we will continue to evaluate our services and supports as we implement practices geared towards the greatest possible autonomy for each of the people who count on us every day.”

Photos/ARC of Rockland:

From left: CQL Quality Enhancement Specialist Jeff Shoemaker, CQL Vice President for Accreditation and Training Becky Hansen, President ARC Board of Directors Richard Sirota, ARC Associate Executive Director for Quality Assurance Jane Zemon, Vice President ARC Board of Directors Karen Feinstein, ARC Director of Quality Improvement Bob Brooke, CQL Quality Enhancement Specialist Jill Westring; ARC Deputy Executive Director Dr. Steven J. Rubinsky and ARC Executive Director Carmine Marchionda.

Opening Session of CQL Evaluation week at ARC of Rockland. More than 100 people were in attendance including people who receive supports through ARC, family members, members of the Board of Directors, business leaders, volunteers, community leaders and staff members.