Spectrum’s Accreditation Project has begun and will be a focus for the whole organization over the next 12 months as we prepare for a complete survey of our services in March 2006.

Process Documenter Hired:

We are pleased to announce that we have hired Lisa Warren, one of our senior program managers, to assist with our accreditation project.  Lisa will be documenting all aspects of Spectrum’s operations, comparing our existing policies and procedures to the CARF standards, and assisting us to revise and develop systems to ensure our compliance for accreditation. 

Mock Survey Planned for September:

Before our site survey with the CARF team, we will have a mock survey, which is like a dry run through the whole review process.  A local CARF-trained surveyor will come in and determine our readiness to proceed to the full site survey.  This will occur in September.  The purpose of the mock survey is to ensure that the CARF standards are evident throughout the organization before we proceed with the final site survey.  After the mock survey is complete, we will submit our “Intent to Survey” to CARF and they will schedule the site survey for approximately six months later (March 2006). 

Program Areas to be Accredited:

CARF accredits many different types of organizations.  Spectrum’s services fall under their “Employment and Community Services” category, which encompasses over 30 different program areas.  Only four of the program areas apply to Spectrum:

1)                  Community Integration:                   includes all of our day programs

2)                  Host Family Services:                     our family care program

3)                  Community Housing Services:         Society-owned or operated homes (duplexes)

4)                  Supported Living Services:  one- or two-person homes that are owned, rented

or operated by the individual or family

These four program areas encompass all of Spectrum’s services.  The surveyors will visit all of our day programs and all of our “Community Housing Services” as part of the site survey.  They will visit a selection of “Host Family Services” and “Supported Living Services.” 

Next Steps:

We’re organizing a series of meetings to discuss the accreditation process with employees, families and individuals and answer any questions you might have.  Ernie and Susan met with the Policy Committee in February, and we’ll be meeting with the managers team in April.  We will also be planning another open forum at the Oakridge auditorium – stay tuned for details!