Lutheran Social Service attains person-centered excellence accreditation
Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota (LSS) is pleased to announce that it has achieved Person-Centered Excellence Accreditation from CQL | The Council on Quality and Leadership. This prestigious accomplishment demonstrates that LSS is aligning with some of the highest standards in the human services field. Person-Centered Excellence Accreditation recognizes the organization’s implementation of person-centered practices that have a significant impact on the lives of individuals with disabilities.
“This is a great achievement, and we’re honored to partner with LSS on their accreditation,” said Mary Kay Rizzolo, president and chief executive officer of CQL | The Council on Quality and Leadership. “They’re showing people supported, families, employees and others that they’re committed to quality services that help people’s dreams come true.”
Since 1865, Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota has responded to Minnesota's changing needs. With a presence in all 87 counties, LSS is one of the largest social service organizations in Minnesota. LSS offers residential and in-home support services that provide individualized, person-centered support.
“This accreditation is vital to LSS Disability Services,” said Angie Collins, statewide director of quality and engagement at LSS. “As our services grow and adapt to meet the needs of Minnesotans, our partnership with CQL becomes even more crucial. This partnership provides encouragement, direction, and accountability for the services we provide to individuals with disabilities.”
Person-Centered Excellence Accreditation, a four-year term, is awarded to organizations that meet CQL’s rigorous standards, deeply integrate CQL tools and approaches, and establish a quality management system to drive data-based decision-making. The accreditation process involves the validation of a Basic Assurances® Self-Assessment, implementation of the Personal Outcome Measures®, and alignment with Shared Values, along with various planning meetings, visits, focus groups, and consultation with CQL staff members.
At the conclusion of the initial accreditation review, LSS held a stakeholder event with a diverse group of participants. They collaborated on the development of a What Really Matters plan, which establishes action steps for reaching organizational goals.
“Congratulations to the team from Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota. We’re lucky to work with them on their accreditation and look forward to a long-lasting partnership,” added Katherine Dunbar, vice president of Services and Systems Excellence of CQL | The Council on Quality and Leadership.
“Earning Person-Centered Excellence accreditation is an honor. We are deeply committed to this work and strive for high quality service daily for the individuals we support,” Collins said.
Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota began in 1865 when a Lutheran pastor and his congregation opened an orphanage for children near Red Wing in southeastern Minnesota. Today, with 2,500 employees and 10,000 volunteers, Lutheran Social Service helps one in 65 Minnesotans through services that inspire hope, change lives, and build community. Some services, such as Adoption, Financial Counseling, Supported Decision-Making and Guardianship Options, Pooled Trust and Senior Companions support residents in other states as well. Through its mission, the organization seeks to foster safe and supportive homes for children, restore health and wellness in families, empower individuals with disabilities to live the lives they imagine, and promote health, independence and quality of life for older adults. For comprehensive information about the work of Lutheran Social Service, visit lssmn.org.
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 our vision of dignity, opportunity, and community for all people.