CARF Accreditation

DDM is nationally accredited by CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities). National accreditation is important not only in qualifying DDM to serve as a provider for State and Federal services, but also insures we are doing our best to provide the best possible services for our residents. DDM received it's first accreditaion in 2002, and has since been granted full 3 year accreditation status at each renewal. For information about CARF, please check our resouces page.

In September 2011, DDM received another excellent survey report and the maximum three-year accreditation from CARF.  Accreditation was given for:
Community Services:  Community Housing
Community Services:  Community Integration
Community Services:  Supported Living
Governance Standards Applied

CARF expressed appreciation for many of DDM strengths, such as:

• Board of trustees selection looks to expertise and to building a board that is diverse and involved with the mission of DDM.
• The active and dynamic work of the finance committee has been instrumental in keeping the organization solvent in such difficult economic times.
• DDM looks to the future by presenting the Opening New Worlds Conference as a way to reach out to interested parties from a variety of perspectives, offering training, education, and support to stakeholders.
• Another strength that looks to the future is the Special Family Retreat, held for families with children not yet receiving services.  There are customized tracks for siblings, parents, and young people with developmental disabilities in a lovely setting at minimal cost to the families.
• DDM is welcoming and both management and frontline staff demonstrate a warmth and generosity of spirit in interacting with the people they support
• The mission and values of DDM clearly reflects a person-first environment.  Persons served and families are treated with dignity and respect, and their quality of life is truly the focus of the organization, its dedicated leadership and its staff members.
• Kudos to DDM for producing attractive, meaningful, and informative newsletters, annual reports, a website, and brochures portraying persons with dignity and respect while accurately telling of the services and successes of the programs offered by DDM.  The 25th anniversary book is another great example of preserving the history of the organization in a way that portrays the services offered with dignity and respect.
• The leadership is commended for its commitment to the overall health and well-being of the persons served.
• Homes are warm, welcoming, and comfortably appointed, allowing persons served privacy and personalized space.  The shared living areas are spacious, well-furnished, and decorated.  The bedrooms address the taste and interests of individuals, and residents were happy to show their home and talk about their belongings and photos of friends and families.
• Community partners noted the positive image that DDM has in the communities it serves.  Many have had long-standing relationships, and some were integral in the actual building of and continued support of the program sites.
• Families of the persons served are confident that their family members are safe and comfortable in their home and that their needs are being met. 

On balance, DDM provides high quality services to persons in need of community housing, supported living, and community integration.  Persons served and their families are satisfied with their services.  The positive relationships the staff members have with so many church families allow them opportunities to provide services and live their mission daily.