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 Marcy Nelson, Division Chief of Developmental Training. “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 2015, 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.