“A stamp of approval for an agency demonstrating best practices”
information provided by Elim Christian Services
CRESTWOOD, Ill. (February 2019) – CARF International announced that Elim Christian Services, a global ministry with campuses in Crestwood, Palos Heights, and Orland Park, Illinois, has been accredited for a period of three years for its Community Day Program for adults with disabilities.
Elim, founded 70 years ago, currently provides community day services to over 220 adults with disabilities, and educational services to 258 students from dozens of Chicago area school districts. Elim also provides professional development and consultation services to schools and ministries both nationally and internationally that seek inclusive opportunities that better support people with disabilities.
CARF is an independent, nonprofit accrediting body whose mission is to promote the quality, value, and optimal outcomes of services. They stated that Elim “has a long-established history and an excellent reputation in the community for responding to the needs of its clients, families, referral sources, and other stakeholders and for providing excellent services.”
Dr. Sharon Duncan, Vice President of Programming at Elim, expressed pride in the hard work of Elim’s staff. Among the accreditation processes, a survey was conducted interviewing individuals who have had involvement with Elim’s programming, through which CARF was able to assess numerous areas of strength. According to Brad Johnson, Director of Adult Services, “One of the surveyors mentioned that if she had the opportunity to work at Elim, she would want to do so.” This positive attitude was seen throughout the survey results, which were the best ever in Elim’s history with CARF.
“Brad and I view a CARF accreditation as a stamp of approval for an agency demonstrating best practices,” noted Dr. Duncan. “The surveyors were very knowledgeable and answered many questions. They offered insights and ideas that will enhance the opportunities we offer to our participants. We worked hard to prepare for the process, but we believe that the CARF evaluation challenges us to be even better.”
This accreditation decision represents the highest level of accreditation that can be awarded to an organization and shows the organization’s substantial conformance to the CARF standards. An organization receiving a Three-Year Accreditation goes through a rigorous process, resulting in the determination that Elim’s programs and services are of the highest quality.
An excellent rating for Elim’s adult services program reflects well on Elim, but also on its surrounding communities of Crestwood, Midlothian, Orland Park, and Palos Heights. Elim’s community partners provide vital opportunities, ensure safe and healthy environments, and foster relationships with the people Elim serves. Every aspect of Elim’s programming is designed to equip people with disabilities to pursue their God-given potential and to thrive in their communities, a fact that was validated by the very positive comments provided within the accreditation documents from CARF.
“Achieving the maximum number of years of CARF accreditation is an enormous achievement that certainly reflects not only the hard work spent in preparing for the site visit, but also Elim’s high reputation as a national and international leader in the field,” noted the President of Elim’s Board of Trustees, Dr. Fred Wezeman of Palos Heights. “On behalf of the Board of Directors, kudos and many, many thanks to our outstanding staff, administrators, and all others who toil for God’s kingdom at Elim in making this outcome possible!”
Elim Christian Services is located at 13020 S. Central Avenue in Crestwood, Illinois. For more information, call 708‑389‑0555.
