The Workshop of Davidson re-accredited by CARF
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
By Gary Arnold
336/247-5772
garnoldwsdavidson@yahoo.com
October 21, 2021
The Workshop of Davidson, Inc. was recently approved for another three-year accreditation by CARF International, The Commission of Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities. The accreditation extends through August 31, 2024.
This is the 9th consecutive approval for the maximum time period. The Workshop received its initial accreditation from the international body in 1997 with the last review being in 2018.
The Workshop applied for and was approved in seven programs. Four community employment services programs are job development, employment supports, employee development and planning services. Other accredited service programs are community housing, community integration and organizational employment.
This accreditation represents the highest level awarded to a facility and shows substantial conformance to the standards established by CARF.
CARF is an independent, not-for-profit accrediting organization whose mission is to promote quality, value and optimal outcomes of services. They do so through a consultative accreditation process that centers on enhancing the lives of persons served.
The Commission was founded in 1966 and has established consumer-focused standards to help organizations measure and improve the quality of their programs and services.
Brian J. Boon, Ph. D., President and CEO of CARF wrote: “This achievement is an indication of your organization’s dedication and commitment to improving the quality of the lives of the persons served. Services, personnel, and documentation clearly indicate an established pattern of conformance to standards.”
The process begins with a rigorous self review comparing actual operations with guidelines for recommended best practices.
COVID-19 did not allow for a visit by the CARF review team and was done virtually. The team of professionals in related fields were from Washington state and Texas.
The surveyors examined 1,146 standards for operating policy guidelines. The team interviewed persons served, staff, members of the governing board and supervisors at job coaching locations.
The Workshop demonstrated to the team of peers that its programs and services are of the highest quality, measurable and accountable. The survey report listed strengths, recommendations and consultations in the areas addressed. The stringent process requires a follow up quality improvement plan demonstrating efforts to implement recommendations.
The CARF survey summary noted a dozen strengths demonstrated by The Workshop of Davidson, Inc. The first among items singled out for recognition was, “The new executive director and her leadership team are extremely committed to the organization and its mission.”
The report noted in detail the bright work environment, activities and events enjoyed by persons served. It praised the leadership team and board of directors in the managing of finances and the crisis created by the COVID pandemic.
Also singled out for praise were community involvement, the emergency preparedness plan, job coaching staff re-structuring, group homes operations, communications practices and genuine compassion for persons served.
Kara Cody, Administrator and Executive Director stated, “This year was a true demonstration of the ability to overcome evolving challenges. Our team has continuously displayed their dedication to the provision of innovative and high-quality services for the persons we serve. Through CARF we are able to ensure that accessibility, safety, and performance measurement are true focuses of program development and management.
I am incredibly proud of the hard work completed by The Workshop of Davidson team during this accreditation process.
The Workshop of Davidson, Inc. is a community based program with a unique combination of a vocational rehabilitation program, a job placement agency and a business.
The Workshop derives part of its income by providing contract services including small parts assembly, sorting, gluing, folding, packaging and shrink wrapping for its customers.
Funding is also provided by the State of North Carolina through Cardinal Innovations. Federal and other state funding comes through the Division of Mental Health, Vocational Rehabilitation Services of the North Carolina Department of Human Services.
The mission of The Workshop is to promote and deliver quality services to each person served and to meet each person’s individual vocational and residential needs in a diverse and inclusive environment.
The purpose is to assist persons served in achievement of their highest degree of self-sufficiency; vocationally, socially, and economically and to provide each person served an opportunity to gain the skills necessary to live as independently as possible in a diverse and inclusive environment.
The private, not-for-profit, organization has been a United Way of Davidson County agency since 1966. A total of 112 persons were served during the past year. More than 4,000 individuals have been served in 57 years.
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Photo by Tammy Gray:
Kara Cody, Administrator and Executive Director of The Workshop of Davidson, Inc., displays the Certificate of Accreditation from CARF, the Commission of Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities.
