Quality is one of Didlake’s core values. As an organization, we earn our reputation by delivering quality every day. We believe quality is derived from empowering all individuals to learn, work, be independent, and have dignity. We are passionate about embracing the challenges of being a leader in the myriad of services we provide.
At the forefront of everything we do is the Didlake mission: Creating and promoting opportunities that enrich the lives of people with disabilities. We are committed to eliminating barriers, so everyone can fully participate in all aspects of their community. Through quality control, we are able to continuously meet standards and regulations within every department.
So, what does quality look like throughout our organization?
Among the quality development team at Didlake, their main objective is to provide the necessary quality assurance and control plans at over 40 contract sites and all across different departments within the Didlake network. According to Brandy Emmons-Powell, Director of Quality Development, quality initiatives impact training, performance and sustainability efforts on many of our sites. “The development of Quality Control Plans, Standard Operating Procedures, and Inspection/Work Order criteria have assisted in providing data and information to Contracting to improve and monitor performance, which in turn has led to the implementation of actions that directly impact our employees (with and without disabilities) on our contract sites. Recently, this has also included being part of the implementation and monitoring of COVID-19 protocols at all locations. This has assisted in keeping our employees safe and able to work during a time when many institutions closed their doors.” Quality is the stepping stone to success for many of our processes at Didlake.
“I believe that the biggest impact of quality control is ensuring customer satisfaction and trust. Quality control is not only about meeting the standards and specifications of the contract but also about exceeding the customer’s expectations and delivering value-added services. By implementing quality control measures, such as inspections, audits, feedback, and corrective actions, we can monitor and improve the performance of our services and prevent any deficiencies or non-conformances that might compromise the quality or safety of our work. Quality control also helps us to maintain a positive reputation and relationship with the customer and to demonstrate our commitment to excellence and professionalism,” says Wossenu Fisseha, Quality Control Manager at one of our contract sites.
For the Rehabilitation Department, quality is an integral part of daily operations. “We implement various policies, procedures, SOPs and Quality Improvement plans to ensure that we are a leader in the services that we provide. We are committed to remaining one of the leading Rehab organizations in the areas we serve, and holding ourselves accountable to the highest standards is how we accomplish this,” says Emily Theimer, Assistant Vice President of Rehabilitation Services. The Day Support and Employment Services programs uphold CARF standards, an international, independent accreditor of health and human services providing rehabilitative services. Didlake recently received another three-year accreditation from the organization, making this the ninth consecutive accreditation, the highest available. To read more about this success, check out our article.
As we celebrate World Quality Month, we are proud to recognize the professionals who strive to create a positive impact through quality control. Our team makes accomplishing our mission possible. To Rebecca Crampton, Quality and Environmental Manager, “We provide support that allows people who might otherwise struggle to find employment to thrive and grow to achieve even bigger and better things. Whether through our Day Support, Employment Services, Workforce Support and Development or our AbilityOne Federal Contracts, we must provide quality support and services to promote their success.”