Easterseals DuPage & Fox Valley Completes Another Successful CARF Accreditation

by: Theresa Forthofer, President & CEO

This past summer, Easterseals DuPage & Fox Valley successfully completed the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) re-accreditation process. As a highly respected and recognized third-party organization, CARF performs rigorous evaluations of service-based providers seeking accreditation. We are honored to be one of very few freestanding pediatric outpatient facilities in the area with CARF accreditation. 

Their audits ensure that top service providers are easily recognized by the public when looking for providers who follow internationally accepted standards. We are proud to say that for more than 40 years, Easterseals DuPage & Fox Valley has achieved the highest possible recognition from CARF, acknowledging our commitment to quality services and continual improvement.

“This achievement is an indication of our organization’s consistent dedication and commitment to improving health equity in our communities” said Theresa Forthofer, President & CEO of Easterseals DuPage & Fox Valley. “Our CARF accreditation signifies that each child is receiving state-of-the-art services from our collaborative team of experts.”

CARF Observations

Among the observations made by CARF in its survey of Easterseals DuPage & Fox Valley at our three center locations (pictured below, left to right, Villa Park, Naperville, and Elgin):

• The organization’s leadership values the staff members and has provided opportunities for them to develop through certifications and other educational experiences.
• The chief executive officer has many years of experience and is enthusiastic and dedicated to making a difference by presenting a series of lectures on diversity.
• During the last year, the organization recruited a bilingual clinical psychologist. This has expanded the organization’s capacity to serve a greater number of patients.
• The implementation of the early intervention program for persons with autism has made a big difference in children’s quality of life and the development of real-world skills.
• The development of the patient portal allows patients to book appointments and make payments in advance, so there are no delays in the clinic.

About CARF and Our Survey Process:

As a pediatric specialty program, we are required to demonstrate compliance with over 1800 standards.  Prior to the two-day survey, the survey team reviews clinical documentation samples, outcome and compliance reports, and thousands of policies.  During the survey, the team interviewed Center Leadership, Key Process Owners, Medical Advisory Board members, funders, and most important, clients and families.

CARF uses the ASPIRE to Excellence Quality Framework to guide their survey. Their framework operates on a continuous improvement model which “provides a logical, action-oriented approach to ensure that organizational purpose, planning, and activity result in the desired outcomes.

The entire CARF survey lasts two days, but accredited centers such as ours must demonstrate we have upheld standards over the last three years, as surveys are conducted every three years.

About Easterseals DuPage & Fox Valley

Easterseals DuPage & Fox Valley is a CARF accredited outpatient rehabilitation center with comprehensive services including occupational, physical and speech-language therapies, mental health, assistive technology, medical nutrition, audiology, autism services and inclusive childcare. With 80 therapists and professional staff specialized in early intervention, and further certified in Neuro-Developmental Treatment (NDT), Developmental, Individual-differences, & Relationship-based (DIR/Floortime) methods, Sequential Oral Sensory Approach, Sensory Integration and Praxis Test, feeding, motor, speech and sensory areas of specialties. Additionally Easterseals has a medical advisory board and affiliations with local hospitals and medical partners through our vision, orthotics, mobility, seating and diagnostic clinics. Learn more at https://www.easterseals.com/dfv/programs-and-services/.