The Arc of Central Alabama Puts Mission, Vision, and Values into Action

Posted on February 6, 2025

By Lindsey Moore, CQL Project Coordinator

Along with other colleagues from CQL, I’ve had the opportunity to take part in the accreditation of The Arc of Central Alabama. Their mission is to serve “people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families through comprehensive and quality programming, advocacy efforts, education, and awareness, all in an effort to ensure each person affected by IDD has the opportunity to reach their fullest potential for the most independent life possible.”

By integrating their mission, vision, and values into every aspect of their operations, The Arc of Central Alabama demonstrates inclusivity and commitment to equitable support for diverse populations. The efforts of this organization highlight their dedication to fostering a welcoming, accessible environment for all. These efforts include supporting individuals receiving services, fostering employee well-being, and engaging collaboratively within their community. It was wonderful to see an organization put their mission, vision, and values into absolute action. 

They actively engage with the community to ensure their programs are responsive to local needs. There is a clear emphasis on cultural awareness in building trust with underserved populations in Alabama communities through not only their variety of services provided, but also seeing a need and filling the gaps. One gap this organization works to fulfill is responding to a need of the Latino community in the area by offering English classes and providing accessible information about available services, which has been incredibly well received!

This proactive approach was echoed within the programs we visited as well. From people’s homes that were warm, inviting, and personalized by those living in them to the Community Day Program that provided a swath of activities for people to participate in, the organization clearly fused independence and personal choice into their services.

All of this could not be done without organizational leadership being attentive to their staff and to people receiving services, as well as being actively involved in statewide and national advocacy efforts. This focus on policies that promote dignity, equality, and long-term empowerment is what drives The Arc of Central Alabama and its leadership. They prioritize proactive strategies to help people build and sustain their natural support networks, encourage independence and self-advocacy, and focus on solutions that foster long-term personal growth and community integration. 

Another aspect of their management that stood out was how they maintained strong systems for monitoring data, such as incident reports and quality outcomes. They use organizational data to inform both individual and agency-wide improvements. Importantly, they conduct annual Personal Outcome Measures® (POM) interviews for all people, which ensures responsiveness to changing needs and desires that reflects a commitment to person-centered supports and continuous growth.

Becoming strong advocates for positive change benefit both employees and those receiving services. This was reflected throughout their accreditation, especially during focus groups held with employees, people receiving services, and other stakeholders. By integrating feedback and staying adaptable, The Arc of Central Alabama upholds a culture of person-centered support, demonstrating their commitment to enhancing lives and delivering on their goals.

About The Arc of Central Alabama

The Arc of Central Alabama, founded in 1953, provides services across Jefferson and Blount counties for people of all ages from children to older adults. They offer a variety of programs, fulfilling their vision of serving those who cannot find support elsewhere. These programs include community day programs, community waiver programs, residential programs, employment supports, early intervention services, and advocacy initiatives.

The organization’s goal is that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities will live the lives of their choosing as valued, contributing, and equal members of their community. They pursue this goal through advocacy and by providing necessary and innovative programs, along with becoming lasting partners with people, their families, and other natural supports to improve quality of life.

The Arc of Central Alabama recently achieved CQL’s Person-Centered Excellence Accreditation. We asked Chris Stewart, The Arc of Central Alabama’s President and CEO, a series of questions about who they are as an organization, along with their experience with the CQL Accreditation process.

What are some notable changes in your organization over recent years?

The Arc of Central Alabama has a heart for those with needs that may not align with other providers. As a result, we serve the largest population of post-institutional and dual-diagnosed people in our state. In the past, this led to an agency culture of “keeping them safe above all else.” In 2013, our outlook shifted to the dignity of risk, and we began pushing boundaries and enabling the people we serve to strive toward reaching their fullest potential. Our leadership team partnered with the Council on Quality and Leadership to facilitate cultural change and organizational shift. CQL was aware of Alabama’s outdated ICF regulations and helped us craft programs that adhere to rules and allow for substantial changes in our services and philosophy.

What are your goals as an organization?

The Arc of Central Alabama seeks to champion care for those we serve – to go above and beyond adequate accommodations and help people reach the life they choose in their community. Independence is the ultimate goal. We see success when a person relies less and less on our services.

What organizational values or practices are you most proud of?

The Arc of Central Alabama belongs to our membership and begins and ends with the people we serve, which lends itself to an agency culture of service from the top down. We have a small administration that stresses teamwork and accountability. No task is too small or outside one’s job description.

How do you measure quality at your organization?

The Arc implements a Continuous Quality Improvement Plan annually using Basic Assurances® as a guideline to measure the progress made toward achieving the goal of assisting each person in Arc services to attain their personal goals.  We collect data throughout each year to determine progress made on goals that are part of the plan.  

To accomplish this, The Arc has several committees, such as an Incident Review Committee, Human Rights Committee, Safety Committee, and POM and Survey Committee, to review individual and organizational outcomes.  Information gathered from the various committees is provided to The Arc’s Administrative Management Council and Executive Team for review and analysis for use in agency planning. 

Since beginning our partnership with CQL, we have learned the importance and value of relying on people who are supported by The Arc to provide information during POM interviews, focus group discussions, and informal conversations by which to measure the quality of the support we offer and are making efforts to provide more opportunities to hear directly from them.  

Why did you decide to pursue CQL Accreditation?

Our research showed that no other organization or consultant agency would push our management team and stakeholders toward the level of service and accountability required by CQL. We saw that CQL was indeed a partner for improving processes and making us the best we can be now and in the future.

What is the impact of accreditation on your organization as a whole?

As our agency prioritizes self-advocates leadership, we find ourselves pushing for fewer institutional regulations, independence, greater access to the community, and the dignity of risk. In turn, the relationship with our state agency becomes increasingly taut. CQL accreditation assures our board of directors, legislators, people served, and staff members that we are performing and advocating for the best outcomes for the people we serve.

How do you envision the future of your partnership with CQL?

Our partnership with CQL has become ingrained in The Arc’s culture. Our employees and stakeholders feel their voices are heard as to the overall quality of the agency at every level. We welcome the challenge and strive to become an agency of distinction, pushing not only our boundaries but also external stakeholders for the good of the people we serve.

Have questions about CQL Accreditation?

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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.