I don't know what I'd do without Nonotuck

“I don’t know what I’d do without Nonotuck”

Nonotuck completed its inaugural CARF accreditation survey on Friday, June 28, 2019.  Four experienced surveyors flew in from their homes in Florida, California, Missouri and Vancouver, Canada to survey Nonotuck Resource Associates and apply over 800 individual accreditation standards to the organization.  In a whirlwind tour, the four CARF surveyors fanned across the state to visit all 13 Nonotuck program offices and numerous homes to connect with families and people we provide services to.

After three packed days the survey concluded with an amazing and emotional exit interview where the CARF surveyors highlighted the agency’s alignment with CARF standards.  The surveyors found Nonotuck values and its commitment to high standards woven throughout the fabric of the organization and the greater Nonotuck community.  

Nonotuck now has a Three-Year Accreditation from CARF. The report contains two and half pages of Areas of Strength demonstrated by Nonotuck. The remainder of the report lists the agency’s performance on each individual CARF standard resulting in Nonotuck meeting 99% of these standards.

Of special note is the feedback from the Nonotuck community, telling surveyors: “I don’t know what I’d do without Nonotuck.”, “I love my life”, “I wouldn’t change anything”, and “I can’t say enough good things.”

Stakeholders, who included funders such as DDS Leadership and family members hold Nonotuck in high regard for the level of services provided to the people served and the support and training offered to caregivers. Comments used in describing Nonotuck included “leader in the field”, “visionary”, “go-to organization”, “emphasis on respecting human rights of the individual”, “no one in the state comes close to their spirit”, “they get it right”, “creative thinking”, “I can’t think of anyone I’d rather be with”, and “I would go to the ends of the earth for Nonotuck”. 

The CARF surveyors found and stated in the report that Nonotuck embraces and entrenches the values of life sharing and civility throughout all components of services and the organization. These concepts do not just live as words on the page; they are a living philosophy of the entire organization. 

CARF surveyors approached Nonotuck with respect for what we do, and they provided a level of comfort and professional consultative feedback with the intention of finding the quality in the services we provide and improving that quality. They effectively managed our expectations and their processes with an extreme level of knowledge, professionalism and kind, warm approachable demeanors. They set the tone for a very positive experience. 

Nonotuck approached CARF with humility and a willingness to grow.  We feel so grateful for the value sharing that occurred between each member of the Nonotuck community and the CARF team. This is well documented in the Accreditation Report and the awarding of the Three-Year Accreditation.