Quality Is Not Just A System; It Is A Culture

What is quality? Webster's dictionary defines quality as A) How good or bad something is; B) A characteristic or feature that someone or something has, something that can be noticed as a part of a person or thing; C) A high level of value or excellence.

How do you measure quality? In the human service industry, there are many quality indicators. Some of these include: Are our facilities safe? Are our staff appropriately trained? Do we provide the required medical attention for the people we support? Is our paperwork accurate and updated as required? Do we report incidents that occur in an accurate, timely manner?

AIRES takes great pride in excelling at all of these necessary and important indicators of quality, as well as many more that are part of our industry standards. We also look at quality from a holistic and altruistic point of view, which in some aspects, is the most important indicator of quality. In providing supports to people, we examine whether the people we support are happy and healthy. We look at whether the people we support are living fulfilling lives. We try to ensure that the people we support have their days and lives filled with love and laughter. It is important to us for the people we support to feel as if they have a greater purpose in life other than just existing. When we provide the type of supports that encourage the people we support to strive towards excellence in their lives, and we are able to assist people in achieving milestones that all of us try to achieve, it gives greater purpose and meaning to the word "quality". Providing support in which we are able to help people identify their dreams, put a plan in place to realize their dreams, and then celebrating with them when those dreams are accomplished, is an important aspect of quality. The people we support are our family, our friends, and some of the most important people in our lives. Quality is providing "legendary service" and is something that I am proud to say we here at AIRES do on a daily basis!

Robin Moise
Director of Quality Enhancement
AIRES, LLC

The AIRES Values

There are many great things about AIRES, but one of my favorite things is our company values. It is a part of our work culture for all staff to incorporate these company values into our daily routines. It is our expectation at AIRES that each of us guides our actions by these values.

The AIRES values are really a way that everyone can live:

• Think about how the other person feels (empathy).
• Help others to be the best they can be (empowerment).
• Treat others how you would like to be treated (mutual respect).
• Enjoy every day (passion).
• Be responsible for your actions (accountability).
• Help others when you can (teach).
• Be truthful with yourself and others (honesty).
• Stay positive and always keep on trying (yes we can).

Lots of people have heard me say that I believe our world would be a different place if everyone really followed these values in all of their actions. It's true, I do believe that. I think that by following the AIRES values I can be a better person. I believe that to be true for anyone - AIRES employee or not. The EMPATHY values are a great way to live life.

I'm not saying that any of us can be perfect all of the time, but I do think that all of us can always try to do better. We can always strive to be a better person. Be a better friend, a better spouse, a better parent, a better neighbor, a better employee. When we follow these values, it's surprising how many people around us will start to do the same. And it just spreads from there. To me, that makes the world a better place to be. And who doesn't want that?

Living a life of EMPATHY is a great way to start making the world a little bit better. I know it makes a difference for all of us at AIRES. I'm so proud to be a part of this company with our EMPATHY values. These values not only enhance our own lives, but most importantly, our values enhance the lives of the people we support.

AIRES currently provides services to people with disabilities and the elderly in the following areas of Arizona: Phoenix, Tucson, Prescott Valley, Casa Grande, Sierra Vista and the White Mountains. We have a number of service options in each geographic area, including group homes, day programs and home-based services.

If you have an interest in becoming a care giver who demonstrates the EMPATHY values, please check our website at www.aires.org to complete an online application.

Diane Logan

Vice President / Chief Administrative Officer