Easterseals Delaware & Maryland’s Eastern Shore Receives Prestigious CARF Accreditation

Easterseals Delaware & Maryland’s Eastern Shore is proud to announce that it has been awarded a three-year accreditation from CARF International, a globally recognized accrediting body dedicated to advancing quality in health and human services. This achievement follows an in-depth, independent survey of Easterseals programs and reflects the organization’s sustained commitment to exceptional care, innovation, and positive outcomes for the people and families it serves.

The accreditation applies to a broad range of Easterseals programs, including Assistive Technology Services; Community Employment Services; Community Integration Services for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities; Adult Day Health Services, Early Intervention Services; and Children’s Therapy Services.

“Our CARF accreditation is a powerful affirmation of the dedication and professionalism our teams bring to the work every single day,” President/CEO of Easterseals Delaware & Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Ken Sklenar, said. “This recognition reflects not only the expertise of our staff, but the trust placed in us by the families and individuals we serve. CARF sets an exceptionally high bar, and we are proud to stand among organizations that share a commitment to quality, accountability, and person-centered care.”

CARF’s report commended Easterseals for its dedication to improving the quality of life for participants and their families, noting that the organization should be “complemented and congratulated” for its continued excellence. Surveyors highlighted a number of strengths across the organization:

Adult Day Health Services: Recognized for exceptional performance during COVID-19, with families noting that staff “calmed my fears” and “far exceeded expectations”. Participants shared that the program is engaging, supportive, and fosters meaningful friendships. Surveyors also highlighted the innovative use of technology, including interactive stimulation platforms.

Children’s Therapy and Early Intervention Services: Parents of children receiving services reported extremely high levels of satisfaction with both the quality of care and Easterseals’ responsiveness. CARF commended the individualized approach to therapy, efficient evaluation and planning processes, and the delivery of services in natural, family-centered settings.

Strong Community Integration and Intellectual Disability Services: Easterseals’ Community Integration and Intellectual Disability Services were praised for helping individuals fully participate in community life through tailored activity planning and effective use of assistive technology. Staff were described as creative, dedicated, and passionate about promoting independence and meaningful engagement.

Organizational Strength: CARF emphasized the strong leadership across Easterseals, noting the commitment of the Board of Directors, Advisory Board, and leadership team. The organization was recognized for its “high and well-deserved reputation” for delivering quality services and “doing the right thing”. Surveyors also commended the extensive Resource and Technology Demonstration Center, which features hundreds of assistive technology tools.