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 January article, we’re featuring Rebecca Kasey, CQL Director of Personal Outcome Measures®.
Courtney Kelly Chapman, CQL Vice President of Training and Special Projects, nominated Rebecca for this spotlight. She was thrilled to share a bit about Rebecca: “Our work is successful because of the people behind it. Rebecca consistently shows up with integrity, collaboration, and a shared commitment to doing what is right for those we serve.” Courtney continued, “I think that the impact of our organization is a direct reflection of the people who do the work, like Rebecca. Rebecca does her job with respect, empathy, and an unwavering focus on people (what matters).”
We’ve asked Rebecca 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 the Director of Personal Outcome Measures® (POM). In this role, I am privileged to oversee the POM training and POM certification activities across CQL and with our partners. I work to ensure that the use of the POM results in true discovery about what people want for their lives and how providers can best support people to meet their needs and desires.
Why did you decide to get involved in the human services field?
I have cared deeply about justice for all people since a young age and knew I would want a career that focused on improving equal opportunities for all. When I was growing up, I babysat my neighbor with autism and learned about the disability service field from his mother who was a nurse and worked at providers. While in my undergraduate program, I needed a job and started at a national provider organization as a Direct Support Professional and have never looked back and have not considered a career change. The human services field has been an avenue for me to work on equity and justice for people with disabilities and those that provide services nationally and internationally.
What is your professional history, background, and experience?
I started my young working life like most people and was a server at several restaurants, resulting in a lifelong appreciation of customer service workers and overtipping. I began work as a DSP for a national provider from 2009-2011, then moved to another provider to continue my work as a DSP from 2011-2013. During my master’s program, I became a Policy Intern at Opportunities for Positive Growth, Inc. (OPG, Inc.) and assisted in rewriting their policies while they prepared for an upcoming accreditation with CQL. After graduating, I joined OPG, Inc. full-time as their Director of Policy and Quality Management for 7 years.
This position and company were a formative experience, I wrote policies and procedures, managed their integrated quality management system, conducted data analysis across all programs, oversaw Employment Services and Wellness Coordination, and participated in audits, accreditations, and surveys. During this time, I was also a board member of the local Special Olympics chapter and a board member for Help Over Hurdles, an Indiana nonprofit that provides financial assistance to direct support staff who may be facing financial hardships.
I started working as a part-time Quality Enhancement Specialist with CQL in June 2021, taking a full-time position as Special Projects Manager in June 2022, and then taking on my current role as Director of Personal Outcome Measures® in February 2024.
What are skills you have that help you in your work?
- Curiosity
- Analytical
- Public Speaking
Is there anything you would like to share about yourself personally?
I am a recent cancer survivor, and this has been a journey that has changed me in immediate ways and ways I know will be long-lasting. I have learned about people’s character and spirit, their generosity and love, their ability to step up when times are tough, and their true care on supporting you after your body and mind has been forever changed.
My mother was a rock and took me to all of my treatments, played Scrabble, and had coffee with me. But, the people who show up for you and support you the most don’t have to be the ones physically closest to you, they may live hundreds of miles away. My best friend in New York was my life line through all of this and he has been a constant support, I am eternally grateful for Kaleb. My coworkers stepped up and stepped in while I focused on getting well and fighting this terrible disease and we all live in different states and sometimes different time zones.
Cancer puts all of your personal outcomes to the test, not just your best possible health, and I have new definitions, desires for my future, and support needs that have come from this. What a beautiful new perspective to come from such an ugly experience!
CQL Lightning Round!
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?
Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim – David Sedaris, The Great Gatsby – Fitzgerald, and Little Women – Alcott
If you could choose one superpower, what would it be?
I want to be able to pause time for everyone except me without any aging or negative effects, so I can catch up on sleep, work, or my hobbies.
Name one thing on your bucket list.
I want to go to Macchu Picchu with my mom!
Who is a person that inspires you?
My mom; she is intelligent, graceful, humble, empathetic, and realistic, she is hilarious and has great dry British humor, which you get to see if you are lucky to be close to her. She lives her life serving others and is someone who says she loves you and shows her love through a thousand small and big acts.
Name the TV show you could have on repeat 24/7, 365 days a year.
Parks and Recreation or The Good Place – really anything Michael Schur has been involved in.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given or read?
“Approach all difficult situations with curiosity and wanting to better understand.” One of my previous CEO’s, Andrea Schwartz from OPG, Inc., gave me this advice to approach performance management but it is translatable to life.
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a lawyer when I was growing up, I competed in Speech and Debate in High School and went to Nationals in Policy debate. I always loved logical argumentation and civil debate.
What do you like to do for fun, in your free time?
Lego Sets 👷🏻♀️, they are not just for kids!! During trainings and meetings, you may see my sets lining the bookshelves!
What is your least favorite household chore?
Does cooking count? I hate cooking and I am very bad at it, so others hate my cooking too. If not, then putting away clean laundry is my least favorite chore.
What is the most embarrassing fashion trend you used to rock? Describe your best outfit.
2000s wannabe pop/punk emo 🖤🎧 I tried swishing the bangs, wearing too many rubber bracelets, a band t-shirt, and some Chuck Taylor’s.
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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.
Rebecca Kasey: January Monthly Staff Spotlight