Grafton Programs Earn Highest Possible Recognition from International Commission

December 19, 2013

Winchester, Virginia—December 19, 2013—The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) International announced that the following Grafton programs have been accredited for a period of three years, CARF’s highest level possible:

• Applied Behavior Analysis Services
• Intensive Outpatient Program
• Outpatient Services
• Psychiatric Residential Treatment Services

This accreditation decision represents the highest level of accreditation that can be awarded to an organization and is an indication of Grafton’s dedication and commitment to improving the quality lives of those served.

Brian Boon, President/CEO of CARF shares, “Services, personnel and documentation clearly indicate an established pattern of practice excellence. We commend Grafton’s commitment and consistent efforts to improve the quality of their programs and look forward to working with the organization in the future.”

The official CARF survey report identified numerous strengths, including the following:

• The organization collects and uses reliable, valid, complete and accurate information for outcomes assessment, performance improvement and management decision making.
• Staff members demonstrate an eagerness to conform to the standards of the accreditation process. Teamwork and cooperation are evident throughout the fabric of the organization. The organization has balanced a welcoming, supportive, family-oriented operation with close attention to prudent business practices and positive outcomes for the persons served and their families.
• The philosophy of serving individuals in the least-restrictive environments and honoring the preferences of the person served are clearly evident. The organizations’ programs create an atmosphere of flexible accommodation with a strong emphasis on a person-centered philosophy.
• The dedication, compassion, enthusiasm, and skills of the professional and paraprofessional staff are trademarks of the organization.
• The Bradenton, Florida center has a welcoming reference area for families seeking information on autism, Applied Behavior Analysis treatment, traumatic brain injury, and other behavioral diagnoses and challenges. Families can borrow books to read at their leisure, and staff members offer additional information as needed.
• Grafton offers its students experiences that include eight weeks of equine therapy for groups of six students, animal assisted therapy for those students not participating in equine therapy, and music therapy that promotes music as a creative expression of self. The music therapy program educates interns from both collegiate music departments and psychology and social work departments. The Jazz Café offers live performances from local musicians.
• The greenhouse (in Berryville) is supervised by a certified specialist and students participate in planting, growing and harvesting plants, flowers, and vegetables for sale seasonally and at holidays at the local farmers’ market. The greenhouse is expanding in production and offers students skills in horticulture, gardening, business, and socialization.
• The organization is developing two commercial products: Ukeru, a least-resistance approach to physical acting out and Reliable Evidence-Based Outcomes Optimization Technologies (REBOOT), a mobile device application that will allow parents and treatment teams the ability to provide input and report progress in real time to the clients’ person-centered plan.

“CARF accreditation is evidence to consumers that an organization is committed to encouraging and utilizing feedback for continuous quality advancement and serving the community,” said Jim Gaynor, President/CEO, Grafton. “For a provider, accreditation is validation that we are appropriately focused on improving efficiency, fiscal health and service delivery. It is further proof that our efforts to create a strong foundation for continuous quality advancement within an integrated continuum of care are working.”

About Grafton Integrated Health Network
Grafton Integrated Health Network is a private, nonprofit organization that has provided a full continuum of services to people overcoming emotional, behavioral or developmental challenges. As an industry leader in behavioral healthcare, we empower individuals to lead better lives. Grafton provides continuous and coordinated services from short-term stabilization and residential services to outpatient to educational and career and technical training. These programs along with a data-driven, trauma-informed model help the organization to develop successful plans of care and clients to thrive in a variety of settings.
Grafton provides a continuum of services to children, youth and adults including applied behavior analysis, early intervention, psychiatric residential treatment facilities, a short-term stabilization program, special education programs, community-based group homes, intensive outpatient program and outpatient services.
About CARF
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, the accrediting body establishes consumer-focused standards to help organizations measure and improve the quality of their programs and services.

Contact:
Shweta Adyanthaya, Director, Communications, 540-955-2400 ext 7260, sadyanthaya@grafton.org.