PALATINE, Ill., March 29, 2011 – Continuing its longstanding run of consistently achieving and delivering high-quality services to children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Little City Foundation recently received a three-year certification from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), an international and independent accreditor of human services and health organizations.
The three-year accreditation is the highest certification awarded to agencies that meet CARF’s rigorous standards.
“The CARF review provides our organization with the opportunity to obtain an extensive and intensive look by independent external reviewers at how we protect people’s rights, the services we offer them, and the quality of life we provide to them,” said Theresa Moran, Director of Compliance and Regulatory Relations for Little City. “The review showed that the efforts of our staff, every day, are creating opportunities for our participants to develop their interests, skills and talents at Little City.”
A four-member CARF team reviewed Little City’s program and services structure in late January, which was then followed by a CARF review in early March of the organization’s administrative practices.
The CARF team spent many hours during their multi-day review visiting families, the Palatine campus buildings, community-based homes, referral sources and Little City’s Chicago Office, which focuses on in-home services along with an extensive foster care and adoption service. The CARF members also interviewed staff, residents and Board members during the review process.
“The organization has developed an excellent strategic plan that has taken into account significant information from the organization itself, analyses of the community, competitors and the business environment,” the report stated. “On balance, Little City Foundation is in substantial conformance to CARF standards.”
In the CARF process, Little City programs were evaluated on approximately 122 standards in 13 categories.
“Each department within our team takes a great deal of pride in their respective functions,” Moran said. “What’s encouraging to us is to see that our efforts meet CARF standards in everyday practice as we provide a therapeutic and safe environment for our residents.”
In its summary meeting with Little City after their January review, the CARF team noted that “families [of residents] were very supportive of Little City and felt the welfare of their children was very high.” The committee also praised Little City for programs such as the arts, where “residents have a variety of choices to choose from.” They also noted that Little City’s website provided good information about the agency, including coverage of events that residents participate in throughout the year.
To support individuals with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities, visit www.littlecity.org/support.
For complete information, visit www.littlecity.org or contact Lisa Hoffmann at lhoffmann@littlecity.org or 847-221-7825, or Rick Johnson at rjohnson@littlecity.org or 847-221-7831.
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About Little City Foundation
For more than 50 years, Little City Foundation has developed innovative and personalized programs to fully assist and empower children and adults with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities. With a commitment to attaining a greater quality of life for Illinois’ most vulnerable citizens, Little City actively promotes choice, person-centered planning and a holistic approach to health and wellness. Little City’s ChildBridge services include in-home personal and family supports, clinical and behavior intervention, 24/7 residential services and special needs foster care and adoption. Little City’s LifePath Adult Services offers a variety of residential options, employment opportunities, home-based services, case management, day supports, Special Olympics, an award-winning Center for the Arts and more. The organization has a 56-acre campus in Palatine and offices in Chicago. Visit www.littlecity.org.