What Goes into Being a Compass Agency?

By Vicki Reina

We are thrilled to share that Heritage Christian Services has successfully renewed its OPWDD Compass accreditation for the 22nd consecutive year, making us the longest continuously accredited Compass organization. This accreditation means that our agency is in the top 1% of highest quality providers in New York state, and that we can rely on our own internal audit.

While our Compass validation visit happens only once a year, the work that leads up to it is year-round. Every day, we strive to not just meet regulatory criteria, but to exceed them in quality service delivery. Our Compass designation means we observe and analyze our own quality measures and that we self-identify areas we can improve.

Heritage Christian Services staff members work alongside people in living with endless possibility, surrounded by love, friendship and meaningful activities. Our quality advancement coordinators, in turn, work with staff members to ensure quality practices and services are provided. This includes thorough reviews of paperwork, finances, the physical plant, as well as observations of activities and interactions. This work is then compiled and organized into the Compass report.

We work intentionally from our Compass plan, including our commitment to provide quality services and supports, fiscal responsibility, an unbiased survey process, staff training and education, and our continuous improvement plan.

The hard work that goes into the Compass validation is a chance to once again demonstrate the Heritage Christian Services difference: to walk alongside people as they achieve what is meaningful to them, and live lives of endless possibility.