Moving Forward Together: A New Chapter in Quality Oversight

By Marisa Geitner

For 24 consecutive years, Heritage Christian Services has earned New York State’s Compass accreditation — a distinction that recognizes our commitment to driving high-quality, person-centered supports through rigorous self-auditing practices and procedures. I’m incredibly proud of this commitment and of the people who made it possible. 

In October of this year, the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities is phasing out the Compass program and transitioning the four organizations who have achieved Compass accreditation to the unified review process through the Division of Quality Improvement. This statewide shift reflects the effort to align providers under common standards. 

We completed our 2025 Compass validation fully accredited. While the review structure will evolve, our expectations remain unchanged: We are responsible for achieving quality outcomes well above the regulatory minimums; those we serve deserve that. Our experienced quality advancement team is firmly in place, guiding programs and strengthening practices to ensure we continue to exceed regulatory expectations. Our experienced and dedicated operations and clinical teams remain focused on systems and supports that ensure a quality outcome with every interaction.   

Compass accreditation has been a meaningful reinforcement of our commitment to excellence, but our mission has never depended on a single designation. We remain responsible for delivering thoughtful, safe and individualized supports. 

I’m grateful for the trust individuals and families place in us and confident in the strong foundation we’ve built together.