CANTON — The Arc Jefferson-St. Lawrence has been awarded the three-year CQL Quality Assurances Accreditation from CQL (The Council on Quality and Leadership).

“We are proud of the way staff members and people we support worked together to make this national certification a success,” said Howie Ganter, The Arc Jefferson – St. Lawrence’s Chief Executive Officer.

“It is even more satisfying to have achieved accreditation while dealing with a global pandemic and a staffing crisis specifically impacting direct care staff members.”

When The Arc Jefferson - St. Lawrence partnered with CQL to pursue accreditation, it undertook a rigorous process to review and enhance services, officials say.

Efforts were focused on empowering the people who receive support from their organization to make choices in how they live their lives, including work choices, options for home life, and creating a community.

The agency has been awarded CQL accreditation as a result of demonstrating proficiency in the following areas:

• Basic Assurances (ensuring fundamental safeguards related to health, safety and human security)

• Personal Outcome Measures® (supporting and empowering people to achieve their goals and dreams)

• Person-centered Excellence (demonstrating organizational commitment to continued enhancement of systems directly related to person-centered services)