Grafton School Earns Highest Possible Recognition from International Accreditor

The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) International has awarded Grafton School a three-year accreditation. This distinction 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 lives of its clients.

In November a team of CARF surveyors reviewed a number of Grafton’s services in Virginia, visiting its Berryville campus and student group homes in Richmond and Winchester. The official CARF survey report identified 29 areas of strength, including the following:

• Grafton School has an extremely deep commitment to its mission, vision, core values, and culture; providing quality services; and quality improvement.
• Grafton School provides services in appealing, well-located, clean, secure, and welcoming facilities.
• The organization has developed and uses an excellent program to maintain safe environments for children served, personnel, and visitors.
• Parents consistently report that they see more success with the Grafton School engagement process than with other education and treatment systems. “They frame everything in the positive and they respect my son and his goals,” one parent said.
• Staff members are responsive to the needs of the youth served in all services. They are dedicated professionals who display genuine care and support, demonstrating a commitment to improving the quality of services.
• The organization’s client-centered approach is apparent in the homelike environment of the residential facilities. Safety and comfort are the primary priorities in design and maintenance of all locations.

“Many of these strengths speak to the heart of the work we do,” said Grafton’s president and CEO, James H. Stewart. “We are always striving to deliver compassionate, evidence-based care to the individuals we serve. As a provider, it is very gratifying to have our day-to-day efforts validated with CARF’s highest endorsement.”

CARF also recognized Ukeru, Grafton’s restraint and seclusion-free crisis management method, for demonstrating exemplary conformance to its standards. This designation is reserved for a practice that produces outstanding business or clinical results and/or is innovative or creative and beneficial to be shared with the field.

The three-year accreditation will extend through December 31, 2022 and covers both outpatient and residential services for children and adolescents.

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.