STEUBENVILLE — The Jefferson County Board of Developmental Disabilities Community Employment Services has officially obtained a three-year accreditation renewal through a worldwide entity for providing quality care.

CES received the renewal this summer from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities International, an Arizona-based independent nonprofit accreditor of health and human services, following a review in April. CARF surveyors conducted an internal examination of the program and its business practices through in-person interviews with stakeholders as well as a site survey and thorough review of submitted documentation regarding employment supports and job development, ultimately renewing accreditation through 2027.

CES Specialist Renee Pastre-Hanlin said the two-day review involved reviewing files, visiting job sites and interviewing individuals and employers involved with the program.

“We met with them in April and went through the accreditation process. We were certified in June. Attaining and maintaining accredited status requires significant effort, strong teamwork and a commitment to providing services and enhancing the lives of the people we serve,” she continued. “We were able to obtain very valuable information from them that can greatly assist us.”

Pastre-Hanlin stated that officials are pleased that CES has been accredited for the past 33 years.

“We have achieved accreditation every three years. At Community Employment Services, we take pride in reaching the highest level of accreditation. The review was conducted to ensure that our programs and services meet internationally defined standards of quality. We were assessed on the job development style we provide and the employment support we offer to individuals once they are placed within the community.”

CARF International has surveyed hundreds of thousands of programs worldwide since it was founded in 1966, while the accreditation provides a plethora of value-added benefits such as business improvement, service excellence, positive visibility and accountability. It also improves communication with people served; offers person-focused standards that emphasize an integrated and individualized approach to services; and gives support through consultation, publications, conferences, training opportunities and newsletters.

As part of the accreditation, JCBDD is required to submit annual reporting documents and maintain ongoing conformance to CARF standards, satisfy all conditions and comply with all policies and procedures.

“It was an amazing experience to have a survey with an accreditation agency that is international,” Pastre-Hanlin concluded. “This enables us to learn and grow from their experience, ultimately making us strive for perfection in the services we provide.”