CQL is excited to continue our Monthly Staff Spotlight series in 2024! This offers an opportunity for you to get to know our team even better. For our October article, we’re featuring Barney Hubert, one of our incredible Quality Enhancement Specialists!
“The man, the myth, the legend. Yes, I am talking about Barney!” Barney’s nominator, Katherine Dunbar, CQL Vice President of Services and Systems Excellence, shares: “The very Barney who has been a mentor to numerous CQL staff and partners. The Barney who is very well respected and can be relied upon to give thoughtful consideration prior to giving an opinion. The one who explains concepts in a way that makes you have “lightbulb” moments. The man who motivates you to just do better, And, yes, the one who plays the guitar and sings beautifully.”
When discussing why she nominated him, Katherine finished with, “I mean, he’s Barney. From CQL. He’s a legend. What more needs to be said?”
We’ve asked Barney a series of questions about his history, background, experiences with CQL, as well as some questions to get to know him better.
What is your position at CQL and what does that role encompass?
I am a part-time Quality Enhancement Specialist with CQL. I primarily participate in accreditation activities, but have also been involved in training and certification, as well as in some special projects.
Why did you decide to get involved in the human services field?
My Bachelor’s degree is in the highly marketable field of Religious Studies. After graduating I began exploring what to do, knowing that I eventually wanted to be involved in the human services arena in some capacity. After working in a bank and a prison for a couple of years, I took a summer temporary job supporting people with disabilities. Within the first week I fell in love with the people because of their unique personalities and legitimate need for support.
Forty-six years later I still see great value in the work and I still love many of the people I’ve had the privilege of supporting. Through the years, my work in the field led to me returning to school to study Therapeutic Recreation, Adult Education, Special Education and Public Management.
What is your professional history, background, and experience?
After starting in a temporary Direct Support Professional position in 1978, I moved into jobs as a Recreation Therapy Aid, Recreation Therapist, Volunteer Coordinator and Qualified Developmental Disabilities Professional and Unit Director for an organization in Kansas. From 1993-1996, I served as a Quality Enhancement Coordinator for the State of Kansas, and it was during this time that the Outcome Based Performance Measures (now Personal Outcome Measures®) were being field tested. The POMs meshed perfectly with my personal philosophy and the direction our state’s Quality Enhancement program was developing.
I began working part-time for CQL in 1995, and in 1996 I returned to work for a provider, serving as Program Director for 10 years and Director (Superintendent) for the last seven years of my full-time career. I retired from full-time work at the end of 2013 with the intention of working for CQL more than I had been able to work while also having a full-time job, and I’ve continued working for CQL since then, with a fifteen-month long hiatus during the height of the pandemic. I’ve also enjoyed serving on the Board of Directors for my local Arc for many years and serving as a volunteer guardian through the Kansas Guardianship Program for the past 22 years. Through the years it’s been wonderful to see the hard work so many people have done, and continue to do, to support people to have more meaningful, productive, and self-directed lives.
What are three skills you have that help you in your work?
- Recognizing a good idea when I hear one
- Caring and compassion for other people
- Unflappability
Is there anything you would like to share about yourself personally?
I grew up in Leavenworth, Kansas, and have lived in Kansas my entire life. I come from a family of seven children, and I have three brothers and three sisters. One of my sisters still lives in the 1860s house where we all grew up, and it’s still our meeting place for major holidays. My wife and I met in 1980, and we have been married for 41 years. We have four adult children and three grandchildren. We are lucky to live in Lawrence, Kansas, home of the University of Kansas.
CQL Lightning Round!
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life (whenever you listened to music) what would it be?
Beeswing by Richard Thompson. Exquisite guitar work, poignant vocals and a bittersweet, nostalgic story!
How many countries have you been to? Which one do you always recommend people visit?
Twenty-four countries. All are amazing, but New Zealand is a favorite.
You’re stranded alone on a desert island and have 3 books to keep you company. Which books are you reading until you’re rescued?
The Overstory by Richard Powers; Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr; I Know This Much is True by Wally Lamb
How many US states/territories have you been to? Which state was the most memorable?
I’ve been to all fifty states, and for our Canadian partners, I’ve been to all 10 Canadian provinces, but I’ve not visited any of the territories yet. Alaska is probably the most memorable state, and Newfoundland is definitely the most memorable province!
If you could choose one superpower, what would it be? What is the first thing you would do with your new power?
Teleportation, so I could travel anywhere without the time, hassle and expense involved in flying. The first thing I’d do is start an around the world trip, provided my wife and dog could come along.
You have to pick a song at karaoke, what song do you choose?
I’ve rarely sung karaoke, but Okie from Muskogee and American Pie were my “go-to” numbers when I did.
What is the first concert that you ever attended?
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band at the Cowtown Ballroom in Kansas City
What is one city that you would like to visit? Why?
Madrid, Spain. My wife and I took a wonderful trip to Portugal and Spain in 2020. Madrid was our last stop, and we spent our entire time there on lockdown at the beginning of the pandemic.
If you had to teach a class on one subject, what would it be and why?
A class on Father Divine’s Peace Mission Movement. I’ve been interested in this group for many years, and I’m fascinated by their belief system and admire their work.
What was your first job?
Pin boy in a bowling alley for five cents/game. After a year or two I got a raise to ten cents/game, which is the only time I’ve ever received a 100% pay raise.
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Shortstop for the Kansas City Athletics
Do (or did) you play any instruments? If so, which ones?
I’ve always primarily been a singer, but I play piano and guitar. I played Alto Horn and French Horn in high school and college, and I used to play autoharp and dulcimer.
What do you like to do for fun, in your free time?
Our grandkids live in Lawrence, so we see them often. I play on softball teams, basketball teams and a volleyball team. I sing in the Lawrence Civic Choir. I try to get my dog to the off-leash park near my house about 10 times per week when I’m not working.
You are suddenly turned into a fruit or vegetable, what did you turn into? Why?
Watermelon. There’s nothing better than a perfect watermelon.
What is the most embarrassing fashion trend you used to rock? Describe your best outfit.
I remember a green satin Nehru shirt, made by my older sister, with gold medallion or love beads when I was in Junior High
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About CQL | The Council on Quality and Leadership
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.
Barney Hubert: October Monthly Staff Spotlight