Employment-related programs and services of Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania have earned another three-year accreditation from CARF International, an independent nonprofit accreditor of health and human services, whose endorsement is a mark of distinction among agencies that provide such services.
Goodwill has achieved seven consecutive three-year CARF accreditations for its employment programs since 2004.
After a virtual visit by a CARF survey team and a thorough examination of Goodwill’s facilities, services, and processes, accreditation has been extended through June 2025 for the following services:
- Assistive Technology Supports and Services
- Community Employment Services: Employment Supports
- Community Employment Services: Job Development
- Community Integration
- Employment Planning Services
- Organizational Employment Services
- Governance Standards Applied
The CARF report stated: “This accreditation is an indication if your organization’s dedication and commitment to improve the quality of the lives of persons served. Services, personnel, and documentation clearly indicate an established pattern of conformance to standards.”
Additionally, the CARF report stated that the “accreditation report identifies no recommendations. This accomplishment is achieved in only 3 percent of CARF surveys.”
The CARF survey report also commented on many areas of strength within Goodwill SWPA including:
- Goodwill SWPA is led by a visionary leadership team. The leadership team has a laser focus on what it takes to provide and most importantly maintain exceptional services and a positive work environment.
- Staff members extend themselves beyond assigned responsibilities and are always available to persons served.
- Persons served express a high level of satisfaction with the services they receive.
- Goodwill SWPA created the position of director of diversity, equity inclusion and belonging (DEIB) to reinforce its commitment to further develop its strategic DEIB initiative started nearly two years ago.
- Input from all stakeholders and the community is an important piece of Goodwill SWPA’s strategic efforts going forward, especially with implementing DEIB.
- From transition services to adult employment services, persons served are provided with an impressive array of services from job preparation to job retention. Persons served are also able to participate in a variety of meaningful work experiences to allow them to learn and experience different jobs out in the community as well as in area Goodwill stores.
Rebekah Fombelle, Goodwill’s Vice President for Human Services, said “we are extremely pleased to receive such a positive report from a third-party reviewer as esteemed as CARF.” She also added: “I really want to thank everyone who helped prepare and raise agency-wide awareness for our CARF survey. We would never have done as well if amazing work was not being done day in day out, year after year. In the end, it is the people we serve who really benefit from quality services.”
More information on Goodwill SWPA programs and services can be found by visiting www.goodwillncwv.org/programs-and-services.