| Human Resources Unlimited (HRU) has announced the successful completion of a rigorous peer evaluation by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). As a result, all six HRU programs have received quality and service accreditation for an additional three years. The three-year term represents the highest accreditation level awarded by CARF. HRU provides services to mentally retarded and mentally ill individuals throughout Western and Central Massachusetts and has offices in Northampton, Springfield, Southbridge, and Westfield. This is the fourth consecutive accreditation for HRU's community services, employment services, psychosocial rehabilitation and supported living services. In total, these programs have achieved 12 years of quality assurance accreditation as each accreditation is for a three-year period. "It's a major check on quality for us," stated Donald G. Kozera, President of HRU. "Only one of our programs is required to have this type of accreditation, but we think it is so important that we have all of them reviewed by CARF peer evaluators. Their feedback is real, not an academic exercise, and we use it to continuously improve." The six HRU programs that were reaccredited all assist adults with developmental and psychiatric disabilities so that they can increase their work related and interpersonal skills. Those programs are: ETS Career Services, The Pyramid Program, and Lighthouse (Springfield); Forum House (Westfield); Tradewinds (Southbridge); and Star Light Center (Northampton). According to CARF, an organization receiving a three-year accreditation outcome has put itself through a rigorous peer review process and has demonstrated that its programs and services are of the highest quality, measurable, and accountable. |
