Thu, Oct 5th, 2023 - 9:43am
May 18, 2020 - 7:07pm | By Chris Larson
The Life Skills and Transition Center (LSTC) in Grafton recently received a four-year accreditation from The Council on Quality and Leadership (CQL) for its person-centered excellence plan. The accreditation confirms that the center embraces person-centered services and supports that improve the quality of life for people with disabilities.
“I am so appreciative and thankful for our entire team. This could not have been accomplished without each team member working hard every day to support the people who live at the LSTC in achieving their goals and dreams,” said LSTC Superintendent Susan Foerster.
The accreditation process began with leadership completing a comprehensive self-assessment on the center’s system of care. Next, a CQL accreditation team conducted a four-day campus visit in December 2019 and spoke to people served by the center, their parents or guardians, community leaders, agency representatives, service providers and staff members. As part of the visit, the team compared their observations to ensure they met CQL standards. These standards include ensuring safeguards relating to health and safety are in place, supporting and empowering people to achieve their goals, and ongoing quality improvement.
The accreditation was awarded at the conclusion of the visit, based on the center meeting the established CQL standards. The LSTC first earned accreditation in 1989.
The LSTC is part of the statewide provider system that serves people with developmental and intellectual disabilities and acts as a safety net for people whose needs exceed community resources. The center is a part of the North Dakota Department of Human Services.
Currently, the LSTC provides residential services and supports to 67 people on the campus and nine others in supported apartment living arrangements in the Grafton community. The center also provides vocational services and specialized outreach services through its statewide Clinical Assistance, Resources, and Evaluation Service (CARES) team. The CARES team members provide crisis evaluation and consultation services to help individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities remain living in their homes and communities and to prevent admissions.
The CQL is an accrediting organization that provides leadership to organizations and communities on improving the quality of life for people with disabilities, people with mental illness and older adults.
