Beckie Amidon Austin, Senior Program Coordinator for the Arc of Steuben, is being honored with a 2017 Award of Excellence by CQL | The Council on Quality and Leadership. This award acknowledges Beckie’s commitment to supporting, educating, and empowering people receiving services to take a proactive role when confronting issues of respect, fair treatment, justice, equality, and independence. Beckie’s vision, initiative, and ambition has modeled and educated not only people supported, but also Arc of Steuben staff, to improve their understanding and application of Human Rights and Responsibilities.
“Beckie has truly embraced the values of both CQL and the Arc of Steuben, by discovering what really matters to the people receiving services, and ensuring their goals, dreams, and desires are driving the delivery of services,” says Mary Kay Rizzolo, President and CEO of CQL | The Council on Quality and Leadership. CQL is presenting five recipients with the 2017 CQL Award of Excellence at the 2017 CQL Conference, themed ‘Blueprint for Person-Centered Practices,’ in recognition of best practices in human services.
Beckie’s innovative approach to human services and supports has led to the implementation of a training program to inform people about the importance and application of individual rights, as well as the inherent responsibilities in the exercising of those rights. Her training program is now being used within the organization’s day habilitation services and new employee orientation and onboarding. Along with the development of the program itself, she is also currently designing a method to measure the effectiveness of the rights and responsibilities training, to assess participant comprehension and application.
“I have the daily pleasure of working with Beckie! It’s fun, interesting, and there is always an opportunity to learn and stretch my skills,” says Lynn Pesesky, Quality Enhancement CQL Coordinator for The Arc of Steuben.
The Arc of Steuben, a not-for-profit organization, is a partnership of dedicated people committed to working together to support people with disabilities and their families. They provide personalized opportunities, advocacy, and support so that people realize their goals, dreams, and full potential in a positive atmosphere of encouragement and achievement.
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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.
Beckie Amidon Austin Receives 2017 CQL Award of Excellence