Submitted Photo Aaron Bliven catches up on local news at Minot Public Library with Tammy Mack, an employment support professional with Easter Seals Goodwill ND. Well-known around town, Bliven is active in the community. Some of his favorite outings include going to local sporting events and supporting the Minot Minotauros. The person-centered care he receives from Easter Seals Goodwill ND includes learning and staying informed, attending events and being involved.

Easter Seals Goodwill ND, Inc. has achieved Person-Centered Excellence Accreditation from The Council on Quality and Leadership (CQL).

The accomplishment demonstrates that Easter Seals Goodwill ND holds 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 people who have disabilities.

“This is a great achievement and we’re honored to partner with Easter Seals Goodwill ND on their accreditation,” said Mary Kay Rizzolo, president and chief executive officer of CQL. “They’re showing people-supported, families, employees and communities that they’re committed to quality services that help people.”

Easter Seals Goodwill ND has an affiliation with two national organizations: Easterseals and Goodwill Industries. Its services provide custom supports and care that help people learn skills, meet goals and gain independence. Its retail stores and e-commerce services assist with funding.

Accreditation requires an on-site, comprehensive investigation of all agency policies, mission and values, person-centered plans and care, staff retention, community involvement, data management system and more. Accreditation lasts four years.

“This is the fifth time I have personally been through the CQL accreditation process with Easter Seals Goodwill ND,” said Becky Briggs, ESGWND director of Residential Services. “We have always earned accreditation because we are people-focused, and our team members (employees) truly care about the people we support.”

This year’s site visit was held in Minot. CQL representatives spent four days visiting the regional office and Goodwill retail store. They visited with team members, interviewed people-supported, assessed environments, and asked a lot of questions.

“They take a comprehensive look at the agency as a whole,” Briggs said. “Everything an agency is supposed to be doing, that’s what they are looking at and evaluating.”

Briggs said after the site visit and assessment is complete, CQL provides feedback that offers ways for every agency to improve.

“It gives us goals to meet for the next four years,” Briggs said.

CQL representatives will follow up with Easter Seals Goodwill ND personnel to make sure the agency is working toward meeting those goals.

Briggs said the certification process and designation is important, both to Easter Seals Goodwill ND as an agency and to the people and families who use its services.

“When a person or family uses one of our services, they have a unique plan that focuses on their skills, goals and needs. This accreditation is one reassurance that we are a person-focused agency, and their loved one will receive custom care,” she said. “We care.”