CQL is thrilled to continue our Monthly Staff Spotlight series! This is a chance for us to highlight our staff members and for you to learn about our team. For our July article, we’re featuring Deb Koop, CQL Quality Enhancement Specialist.
Lindsey Moore, CQL Project Coordinator, nominated Deb for this month’s CQL staff spotlight. When nominating Deb, Lindsey excitedly shared, “Deb Koop is an amazing asset for CQL. She brings valuable insight from her long tenure at a provider organization managing their quality enhancement efforts.” Lindsey continued, “She is an effective collaborator with both organizations and her colleagues. Supporting us to ‘move the mark’ towards excellence, not perfection, is why she is such an asset.”
We’ve asked Deb a series of questions about her history, background, experiences with CQL, as well as some questions to get to know her better.
What is your position at CQL and what does that role encompass?
I am a Part Time Quality Enhancement Specialist (QES)! I provide guidance and support to organizations through the accreditation process. I love learning from other organizations and sharing my knowledge with them. The ways we can support each other in our work is endless! POM interviews are the absolute best way to learn from people what is important to and for them. Focus groups and POM interviews are the part of any accreditation that really tells us about the organization.
Why did you decide to get involved in the human services field?
In high school, I was part of “Future Teachers in America”. As part of this, I worked with high schoolers in the special education class and at the local state hospital school for children. I was a pre-seminary student at college and spent a summer interning as a direct care staff of children at the state institution. I felt that this was my true calling. Supporting people personally and by advocating for and with them is so important! Ensuring that support staff are well trained and passionate about their work enhances both their lives and the lives of the people they support.
What is your professional history, background, and experience?
I graduated with a 2-year degree in Parish work and a BA in Psychology. I started my career as a Human Service Technician at a state institution with children who needed significant supports. After taking time off until my youngest son started kindergarten, I decided I needed to get back to work in my chosen field. I worked at a Day Treatment and Habilitation program for 3 years.
After moving back home, I spent 30 years working for Lutheran Social Service in MN as lead staff, supervisor for several homes, and then statewide Director of Training and Quality Assurance. After retiring I stayed on part time for two years to do POM interviews and administer the NADSP e-Badge Program. Through the years, I did breakout sessions for NADSP Conferences for over 15 years, at HCBS conferences, Therap conferences and at several different Minnesota conferences on various topics relating to supporting people and staff to lead their best possible lives.
Before retiring from full time work, I was a Therap certified trainer for Minnesota, NADSP E-badge administrator and Certified CQL trainer and POM interviewer for my organization.
What are skills you have that help you in your work?
- Taking good notes!
- Patience
- Organization
Is there anything you would like to share about yourself personally?
My world revolves around my family. My parents, sister, 2 brothers, 2 sons and daughter in laws, 2 grade school grandchildren, 3 bonus adult grandchildren and one bonus great-granddaughter. I live in the middle of the woods and love it. Bears on the deck, deer, turkeys, woodchucks, and racoons in the gardens and all. I am the family genealogist, and a great vacation for me is visiting family I have found though research and visiting cemeteries!
I have been to Germany, Poland and Norway many times visiting family and even sleeping in the house my great-great grandfather was born in in Norway in the late 1700s. I also love sitting out on the deck with a good book as long as the temperature is above 45.
I am an avid Minnesota Twins and Vikings Fan as well! My sister and I have attended the Twins opener all but two of the last 35 years.
CQL Lightning Round!
Sweet or Savory? What is your favorite sweet/savory food?
Savory! I love salt and vinegar chips.
You have to pick a song at karaoke, what song do you choose?
Your Cheating Heart by Hank Williams
What is the first concert that you ever attended?
The Beach Boys! 🏝️
Name the TV show(s) you could have on repeat 24/7, 365 days a year.
Columbo
If you had to teach a class on one subject, what would it be and why?
History – I believe that knowing our past can help shape our future! 📚
What is one thing about you that most people wouldn’t be able to guess?
I went to a one-room school for 1st grade.
What was your first job?
Christmas Tree trimmer – once was enough!
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Archeologist 🕵️♀️💀🗺️
What do you like to do for fun, in your free time?
Read, garden, and genealogy, and just hanging out with my family!
If you could eat one food for a full week, what would it be?
Tacos! 🌮
How many US States / territories have you been to?
33!
How many countries have you been to? Which one do you always recommend people visit?
9 and Norway!
What is your least favorite household chore?
Laundry!!!
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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.
Deb Koop: July Monthly Staff Spotlight