Two-Year License Achieved

It is with great excitement and pride that we announce that on July 9, 2010, The Alliance for Resource Management was awarded a two-year certification from the Department of Developmental Services (DDS), Office of Quality Management, Office of Quality Enhancement, Licensure and Certification.  The award was made following an eight-day visit by a team of seven people who examined the systems and safeguard in all areas of the agency as well as interviewed seventeen individuals who receive services.  Eleven individuals were from our vocational services program, our SCOP and Elder programs; six individuals were from our residential program, which also included our DDS Shared Living Program. A thorough system review at three of our residential programs was conducted as part of the survey.

 Each program is evaluated on several criteria. The first is Quality of Life area around rights and dignity.  This was achieved in all areas; both day and residential received commendations in this area on how well individuals were helped to exercise their Human Rights. The second Quality of Life area was Personal Well-Being and again this was achieved. They also review outcomes for the entire organization. The third Quality of Life area is individual control, which was also achieved.  Both day and residential services received commendations for the variety of assessment that we conduct to assure that we our helping our individuals to work on goals that are important to them. The final areas focusing on Quality of Life area are community and social connections and personal growth and accomplishments both of which were achieved.

  The Supported Community Living (SCL) Program is evaluated by a separate licensing procedure. Eight individuals who live in their own apartments were reviewed in this license. They were reviewed for (1) responsiveness and flexibility, (2) choice, control, informed decision-making (3) safety, emergency response capability, (4) outreach and advocacy. The SCL program received commendations of their work in empowering the individuals to exert control over their lives and having the individuals be part of the team who hires the staff in that program.

 All the staff in the agency did an excellent job preparing for this Survey and deserve a large THANK YOU for a job well done! 

About the Author: Laura Colburn

Laura has been working in the Human Service field for well over 30 years working primarily for agencies who served individuals with developmental disabilities.  Laura currently is the Chief Operations Officer for the Alliance for Resource Management, which is the parent company of ARC and Matson Community Services.