Community Living Upper Ottawa Valley (CLUOV) is being honored with a 2017 Award of Excellence by CQL | The Council on Quality and Leadership. This award acknowledges the organization’s significant accomplishments involving community engagement, inclusive initiatives and more independent residential settings, the elimination of group day programs, inclusion-building initiatives.
CLUOV has dedicated numerous financial and staffing resources to develop authentic living environments connected to communities, which do not rely on traditional property ownership by the service provider, while still holding itself to the highest standards of quality. CLUOV is seen as a leader in this through its philosophy of developing healthy, inclusive communities.
“CLUOV’s achievement of CQL’s Person-Centered Excellence Accreditation With Distinction, is indicative of the innovative work they are doing for the people they support. Considering that they are the only agency in Canada with that designation demonstrates just how committed they are to cutting-edge, person-centered approaches,” 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.
CLUOV has been at the forefront of service provision for many years, even hosting an Innovative Housing Symposium, which brought together more than 100 delegates from across the province. During the symposium, senior government staff, private developers, and regional/municipal/city council members met to discuss new approaches to residential settings and establish partnerships for development opportunities. CLUOV has also taken significant steps in assisting seniors with disabilities to live in a newly constructed, barrier-free, and integrated community living arrangements.
“I am so proud of our organization and staff for making such strong commitments to inclusion and for supporting each person with such dignity in a person-centered inclusive approach. So many people who receive support from our agency have a positive quality of life within their communities built on relationships, opportunities and by making real contributions as citizens.” says Chris Grayson, Executive Director of Community Living Upper Ottawa Valley. “We have momentum,” Grayson continued. “We are not a status quo organization. We have demonstrated repeatedly that we are relentless in doing the right things for the right reasons – we are disruptors of the status quo.”
Community Living was formed almost 60 years ago by groups of dedicated parents who saw the need to band together to provide community support services to their children and future generations. Parents and family members continue to be the backbone and the strength of their movement, continuing to serve as members of the Board, on Committees and as much needed volunteers.
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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.
Community Living Upper Ottawa Valley Receives 2017 CQL Award of Excellence