Life Skills And Transition Center In Grafton Earns Three-Year Accreditation
The North Dakota Health and Human Services Life Skills and Transition Center in Grafton recently received a three-year accreditation from The Council on Quality and Leadership that focused on quality and leadership best practices. The accreditation confirms that the center and The Council on Quality and Leadership philosophies, tools and practices align positively to impact people's lives.
The Life Skills and Transition Center is an integral part of the statewide provider system that serves people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The center provides specialty care and support for people experiencing crisis and/or who need stabilization and works with guardians to identify opportunities for each person to live in a community setting of their choice wherever and whenever possible.
“The accreditation process was simply amazing and a true testament to the dedicated work we do to support people with disabilities,” said Life Skills and Transition Center Superintendent Heather Jenkins. “The Life Skills and Transition Center team was applauded for our work in several areas including our commitment to empowering and honoring the rights of people served, showing dignity and respect and implementing strong person-centered approaches that promote the use of technology in creative ways to provide unique opportunities for people.”
The accreditation process began with Life Skills and Transition Center leadership completing a comprehensive self-assessment on its system of care. Next, The Council on Quality and Leadership surveyors conducted a four-day on-site and virtual visit in January 2024 and spoke to people served by the Life Skills and Transition Center, parents/guardians, community leaders, agency representatives and team members.
As part of the visit, the surveyors reviewed 46 indicators to ensure the Life Skills and Transition Center met The Council on Quality and Leadership Basic Assurances® standards. These include ensuring safeguards are in place relating to health and safety, 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 Life Skills and Transition Center meeting the established Council on Quality and Leadership standards. The Life Skills and Transition Center first earned accreditation in 1989.
Currently, the Life Skills and Transition Center provides residential services and supports to 37 adults and 18 youth on its campus. The center also works with hundreds of people located throughout various North Dakota communities.
The Council on Quality and Leadership 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.