Albertina Kerr is proud to announce that it has been awarded Quality Assurances Accreditation from CQL | The Council on Quality and Leadership. As the first organization on the West Coast to obtain accreditation, Kerr is setting a new standard for excellence in the region. This prestigious accreditation highlights Kerr’s alignment with internationally recognized standards in the human services field. By implementing person-centered practices and sound systems, the nonprofit human services provider is enhancing the quality of life for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and mental health challenges. 
“Congratulations to everyone from Albertina Kerr for their achievement of Quality Assurances Accreditation!” says Mary Kay Rizzolo, President and Chief Executive Officer of CQL | The Council on Quality and Leadership. “Through this accreditation, they’re showing the people they support, employees, families, and others that they genuinely care about enhancing the quality of their services.”
The accreditation process involved a rigorous review of Albertina Kerr’s practices, including Basic Assurances® validation, focus groups with families and individuals supported, Personal Outcome Measures® interviews, and extensive collaboration with CQL. These efforts demonstrate Kerr’s commitment to ensuring health, safety, and human security for the people they serve while empowering them to lead self-determined lives.
Feedback from families during the process underscored the organization’s impact. One parent remarked, “Albertina Kerr has been a godsend, enabling my daughter to grow and thrive.” Another highlighted the staff’s dedication, “They bend over backward to support our loved one.”
“This accreditation reflects Kerr’s unwavering commitment to excellence in services and person-centered care,” says Allison Stark, CEO of Albertina Kerr. “As the first organization on the West Coast to achieve this distinction, it underscores our leadership and dedication to creating inclusive, empowering communities.”
Quality Assurances Accreditation is a three-year term that helps organizations build and strengthen a strong foundation for responsive, person-centered supports and services. The components of accreditation include numerous planning meetings, the validation of a Basic Assurances® Self-Assessment, visits, focus groups, ongoing consultation, and more. Through their initial accreditation review and subsequent visits, Albertina Kerr will be equipped with the knowledge and tools needed for ongoing organizational transformation.
“We recognize that accreditation isn’t easy and requires a significant amount of time, resources, and investment,” adds Katherine Dunbar, Vice President of Services and Systems Excellence at CQL | The Council on Quality and Leadership. “The level of commitment that Albertina Kerr has for quality services is truly admirable, and it’s an honor to partner with them.”
With this accreditation, Albertina Kerr reaffirms its pledge to continuously enhance its services, ensuring that individuals with I/DD and mental health challenges thrive in inclusive, supportive communities.
About Albertina Kerr
Founded in 1907, Albertina Kerr empowers people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and mental health challenges to lead self-determined lives in their communities. The largest provider of services and supports for people with I/DD in Oregon, Kerr offers short-term crisis psychiatric care for youth, 24-hour residential care for adults with I/DD and youth with complex needs, I/DD supported employment services, and I/DD inclusive day services. Kerr also developed and operates Wynne Watts Commons, an award-winning accessible, affordable, and sustainable residential community with 30 universally accessible units for adults with I/DD. Kerr operates Kerr Bikes, a family-friendly social enterprise for all abilities, and Kerr Manufacturing, Assembly, and Packaging.
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.