DIDD Earns Network Accreditation

First-ever recognition for a state agency

NASHVILLE—Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (DIDD) Commissioner Debra Payne today received official Person-Centered Excellence network accreditation on the department’s behalf from the Council on Quality and Leadership (CQL).

The Person-Centered Excellence accreditation process is designed to assess the quality of services and supports delivered by the department and its contracted providers.  As a result of the accreditation process, DIDD better understands how people using their services define quality of life.  The department will use that information to guide changes to improve quality of life system-wide.

DIDD and CQL worked toward this milestone for more than two years through interviews with people using services, focus groups of families, staff, and managers, provider assessments, and a self-assessment of DIDD policies and practices.

“What’s most important in this journey isn’t the ‘accreditation’ label,” Commissioner Payne said.  “It is truly about ensuring what we do is what people we support really want, not just what we think they want.”

The process highlighted areas where DIDD excels and where there is room for growth:

    Current Successes                                         Areas for Growth

— Protection from Harm                             — Understanding and Exercising Rights

— Health Supports                                          — Education to Make Informed Choices

— Safe Environments                                     — Support for Direct Support Professionals

DIDD has submitted a four-year plan to CQL to bring these factors into alignment, which includes increasing self-advocacy, assisting persons supported in learning about their rights, and refining the department’s Quality Assurance system to monitor compliance with CQL’s Basic Assurances®.