AHRC Nassau COMPASS Empowers people to live fulfilling lives. Together with Family-Friends-Community January 2026 Annual Report Recognized by CQL | The Council on Quality and Leadership with Person-Centered Excellence Accreditation With Distinction
CQL Third Visit in AHRC Nassau Four Year Accreditation with Distinction Celebrating Our CQL Reaccreditation Visit Our recent reaccreditation visit from the Council on Quality and Leadership (CQL) marked an important milestone in our fouryear accreditation cycle for AHRC Nassau and Citizens Options Unlimited. The day reflected strong leadership, measurable progress, and a deep commitment to Person-Centered Excellence. Stanfort Perry and Michelle Rudolph opened the three-day visit with an overview of advocacy and innovation, connecting our strategic direction directly to quality-of-life outcomes for the people we support. The focus then shifted to our PersonCentered Excellence goals, where the work truly came to life. Michelle Rudolph led the presentation on advancing person-centered planning, joined by people currently enrolled in the pilot. Tamara, John, Matt, Raymond, Michelle B., Freddy, and Jamie shared their experiences, demonstrating that planning is increasingly driven by what matters to each person. Betsy Burns, CQL reviewer, highlighted the broad organizational support behind this work and the outcomes already achieved. Jason Persan and Steven Barsh presented on workforce development and safety, outlining enhancements in new hire orientation, staff preparation, and safe driving practices. The connection between a wellsupported workforce and positive outcomes for people supported was clear and well received. Shaun Weathers and Winston Thompson detailed our transition to a fully integrated Electronic Health Record system. Reviewers commended the thoughtful vetting process and emphasized the importance of strong data systems to support decision-making and coordinated care. The presentation of our Personal Outcome Measures data underscored the impact of this work. Bridget Cariello, Susan Gill-Orange, Kate Zimmerman, and Samantha Rodonis shared results from 2023 to 2025. Outcomes increased from 19.8 percent in 2023 to 54.79 percent in 2024, while supports increased from 16.5 percent to 57.45 percent. These gains represent more people achieving personal goals, increasing community participation, and receiving supports aligned with a person’s preferences. The visit also included a tour of Wheatley Farms & Arts Center led by Jerri Walker, Pam Curtis, Allison Glass, and Tracy Zhang, as well as visits to Circle Drive, Hook Lane, and Williams Street homes, where reviewers experienced our person-centered culture in action. At the close of the visit, CQL reviewer Kate Dunbar shared that it had been a genuinely wonderful experience and expressed appreciation for the work taking place across our organizations.
This visit affirmed that Person-Centered Excellence is embedded in how we lead, plan, measure, and support people every day. The progress recognized reflects a collective commitment to ensuring that quality is not only measured, but truly lived.