Oak-Leyden Developmental Services Awarded a Three-year CARF Accreditation

Oak Leyden Developmental Services | Feb 9, 2015 12:00 AM

Oak-Leyden Developmental Services
Awarded a Three-year CARF Accreditation

OAK PARK, Ill. (Jan. 14, 2015) – CARF International awarded Oak-Leyden Developmental Services the highest possible level of accreditation for its adult day and residential programs. Following an extensive survey process, the three-year, gold level accreditation was awarded to acknowledge Oak-Leyden’s exceptional performance in enhancing the lives of the people it serves in the areas of community housing and community integration.

This accreditation decision demonstrates Oak-Leyden’s substantial conformance to the CARF standards. An organization receiving a three-year accreditation has completed a rigorous peer review process and has demonstrated to a team of surveyors during an on-site visit that its programs and services are of the highest quality, measurable and accountable.

“Oak-Leyden is honored to receive this acknowledgement of the caliber of work we do on a daily basis,” says Bob Atkinson, Oak-Leyden president and CEO. “Our staff and program participants all work together to make each day enriching, positive, productive and fun. We feel fortunate to serve our community and help people with developmental disabilities reach their highest potential.”

In 2014, Oak-Leyden assisted nearly 600 participants with developmental disabilities through its various locations in Chicago’s near-west suburbs. Its programs include Early Intervention, adult Developmental Training through its Lifelong Learning Centers, independent living through its 12 Community Integrated Living Arrangement (CILA) group homes and a supported employment program for vocational training and placement.

The CARF accreditation was granted to Oak-Leyden by the authority of CARF International’s president and CEO and the chair of its international board of directors, and is valid through October 2017.

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Oak-Leyden has delivered critical support services to people with disabilities for 59 years. It is a leading provider of quality residential and vocational adult services, supported employment opportunities, and Early Intervention other support services for children with developmental disabilities or delays. In addition to its main office in Oak Park, Oak-Leyden offers two adult Lifelong Learning Centers, a multidisciplinary clinic and Community Integrated Living Arrangement (CILA) group homes for adults. Oak-Leyden’s programs and services are provided in Berwyn, Chicago, Cicero, Elmwood Park, Forest Park, Franklin Park, Melrose Park, Northlake, Oak Park, River Forest and Westchester. To learn more, visit www.oak-leyden.org.

CARF is an independent, nonprofit accrediting body whose mission is to promote the quality, value and optimal outcomes of services through a consultative accreditation process that centers on enhancing the lives of the persons served. Founded in 1966 as the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, and now known as CARF, the accrediting body establishes consumer-focused standards to help organizations measure and improve the quality of their programs and services.