Village Northwest Unlimited Awarded Three-Year CARF Accreditation

Village Northwest Unlimited is pleased to announce that the organization has been accredited for a period of three years by CARF International for its Community Employment Services - Employment Supports, Community Employment Services - Job Development, Community Housing, Community Integration, Employee Development Services, Organizational Employment Services, and Supported Living programs.

This accreditation decision represents the highest level of accreditation that can be awarded to an organization and shows the organization’s substantial conformance to the CARF standards. There are over 1,000 standards that Village Northwest Unlimited must meet or exceed to maintain CARF accreditation. An organization receiving a Three-Year Accreditation has put itself through a rigorous peer review process. It has demonstrated to a team of surveyors during an on-site visit its commitment to offering programs and services that are measurable, accountable, and of the highest quality.

The CARF Survey Report included a list of 22 strengths as identified by the CARF survey team. The report stated, “Staff members embody the mission of the organization, demonstrating the desire to provide purpose, privacy, and dignity for persons served in each interaction. Coaches and others working directly with persons served receiving vocational services are patient, encouraging, and respectful as they provide training and job supports.”

“I am very proud of the staff for continuing to provide excellent care and opportunities for our residents,” says Barry Whitsell, CEO, Village Northwest Unlimited. “The mission of the Village is to provide Purpose, Privacy and Dignity to the people we serve. We are committed to providing that service at an exceptionally high level which is why we voluntarily participate in the CARF International accreditation survey. The rigorous standards set by CARF ensure that the Village remains on top of regulations and best-practices within the industry,” says Whitsell.

Village Northwest Unlimited is a nonprofit organization located in Sheldon, Iowa. It has been providing services to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, traumatic brain injury, and autism spectrum disorder since 1975.

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 International, the accrediting body establishes consumer-focused standards to help organizations measure and improve the quality of their programs and services. For more information about the accreditation process, please visit the CARF website at www.carf.org.

For additional information, contact Lisa Johnson, Director of Development at 712.324.5405.