Empower maintains CQL quality assurances accreditation

Empower has again been awarded Quality Assurances Accreditation from CQL | The Council on Quality and Leadership. The notable achievement indicates Empower has developed strong organizational systems and practices that positively impact the lives of people with disabilities.

A press release stated, “Quality Assurances Accreditation is an important designation embraced by organizations that pursue the highest standards in the human services field.” Empower was first accredited in 2018.

“CQL was honored to work with everyone from Empower throughout the Quality Assurances Accreditation process,” says Mary Kay Rizzolo, president and CEO of CQL | The Council on Quality and Leadership. “This is an impressive accomplishment and they should all be very proud of the work they put into it.” 

Empower CEO Jeff Paterson said, "This achievement is a credit to our 300 dedicated employees, who provide life-changing supports in 17 sites throughout Niagara County. We chose to seek this accreditation because we recognize that quality is a mission that is never accomplished. We can always do more, and we can always be better. Our partners at CQL challenge and help us to continuously raise the bar."

Quality Assurances Accreditation is a three-year accreditation term intended for organizations that are looking to implement responsive, person-centered supports and services. It involves numerous planning meetings, the validation of a Basic Assurances self-assessment, review visits, focus groups, the use of Personal Outcome Measures interviews, as well as ongoing support and consultation from CQL staff. With insight gained from the initial review visit and additional check-ins, Empower said it is developing and implementing action steps to continuously improve its services.

“Through its Quality Assurances Accreditation, Empower is sending a clear message to people receiving services, family members, employees and other stakeholders that it is deeply committed to individualized supports and personally-defined outcomes,” adds Katherine Dunbar, vice president of accreditation of CQL | The Council on Quality and Leadership. 

Licensed by the New York State Office of People with Developmental Disabilities and the New York State Education Department, Empower is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization that provides programming and direct services through a comprehensive system of services that includes educational and children’s services, job training, day services, and community housing. 

Since 1969, CQL | The Council on Quality and Leadership has been a leader in working with human service organizations and systems to continuously define, measure and improve quality of life and quality of services for youth, adults and older adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and psychiatric disabilities. CQL offers accreditation, training, certification, research and consultation services to agencies that share its vision of dignity, opportunity and community for all people.