CARF Awards The Arc Baltimore Its Fourth, Three-Year Accreditation

By Aaron Atkinson, Director of Quality Enhancement

The Quality Enhancement department is happy to announce that CARF International, an independent, nonprofit accreditor of health and human services, awarded The Arc Baltimore its fourth, three-year maximum accreditation on June 27, 2014 for the following services: Employment Supports; Job Development; Community Housing; Community Integration; Foster Family Services; Supported Living; and Governance.

In order to receive the maximum accreditation, The Arc had to demonstrate substantial conformance for over a thousand standards, of which we met 98 percent. A team of six CARF surveyors spent three days conducting a comprehensive review of the agency, including visiting day programs and homes of individuals supported by Community Living and Foster Care, reviewing policies and procedures, and meeting with staff, individuals who receive services, families, board members and other stakeholders.

It is noteworthy that The Arc is not required by licensing entities to seek accreditation. The fact that we voluntarily pursue CARF accreditation is a testament to the quality of our agency and to our deep commitment to sustainable excellence. In its most recent survey report, CARF noted many strengths that The Arc demonstrates, including:

·      “The Arc Baltimore enjoys the services of a committed and enthusiastic board whose members are dedicated to the organization and its mission.”

·      “The longevity of the staff members at the executive, senior management, and management levels is impressive.”

·      “Assistive technology is a major strength of The Arc Baltimore.”

·      “The Arc Baltimore supports the needs of persons serviced with severe challenges at its various day program sites with increasingly creative person-centered approaches.”

·     The families are extremely satisfied with the services provided by The Arc Baltimore and are confident in the organization’s ability to not only keep the persons served healthy and safe, but to also assist them in reaching their full potential.”

·      “The persons served are supported to spend time with their families and friends; take vacations; attend conferences; and explore their community, state, and region.”

The Arc’s ongoing success is attributed to the dedication of our board members, families, individuals who receive services, and community affiliates. The dedication of The Arc’s staff, from direct support professionals to our executive leadership continues to impress me the most. This exemplary accreditation was made possible by your hard work, devotion to the individuals who receive services, and a continued commitment to The Arc’s mission and values.

If you have any feedback or suggestions for continued quality improvement, please contact me at 410-296-2272 x 5540 or aatkinson@thearcbaltimore.org.

Thank you all.

Update on Quality Supports

By Karyn Harvey, PhD, Assistant Executive Director of Quality Supports

What does it feel like to have an intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD)? On one level, the answer to that question is different for each person. No two people have the same experience. On the other hand, however, there are some universalities. One is that having an intellectual or developmental disability means experiencing a certain degree of social trauma: bullying, exclusion and/or rejection. It may also mean experiencing a significant degree of loneliness and isolation. 

Recent studies have shown the effects of social exclusion and/or rejection on the brain. In one particular study, participants were included in a game and then deliberately excluded. Their brains were connected to electrodes that could then show which part of the brain was stimulated and thus active during the experience. When participants were excluded, all of their brains fired in the anterior cingulate cortex. This is the part of our brain that fires when we feel physical pain. They experienced exclusion from a simple game as physical pain. Imagine what people who have been rejected over and over again have experienced.

The Quality Supports Division at The Arc Baltimore has been attempting to reduce the pain and suffering due to exclusion, rejection and loneliness through increased in-house therapy from the psychology department, trauma and sensitivity training for Arc staff, and finally, through involvement in our Connections program.

In-house therapy, or in-vivo therapy, as we have called it, takes place in the context of people’s day rather than in an isolated setting. The psychology staff visit individuals at their centers and in their homes and have therapeutic and supportive interactions with them. Our psychology staff is trained in trauma therapy, including EMDR and Positive Identity Development, which is an approach that I originated several years ago and is being used in several clinics serving people with I/DD throughout the country.

In addition, we have revised our yearly behavioral supports refresher training to include a trauma-informed care model that assists staff in working with individuals in a manner in which they can provide both emotional and behavioral supports. The training department has also revised a number of trainings to increase staff participation and enhance more acute awareness of the many issues involved with disabilities.

Finally, the Connections program facilitates social engagement through sponsoring a variety of social events in which single individuals with I/DD can meet friends or find partners. There is a team of dedicated Arc staff and volunteers who work to ensure the success of these events. Through generous donations, we've organized cruises, formal dance events and plenty of community-based dating opportunities. We are determined to expand this program in order to enhance social connections and increase meaningful relationships. 

If you would like more information about trauma or our efforts, please contact me at 410-296-2272 x 5144 or kharvey@thearcbaltimore.org.