On May 31, we received perfect scores on both the mandatory and non-mandatory standards during our American Corrections Association (ACA) re-accreditation audits of both the Park and Muskegon facilities. We consider it standard practice at KPEP to adhere to the highest standards of our profession in all aspects of our programming. However, it’s important to acknowledge that the staff at each of these facilities have worked very hard to achieve these outstanding results. This commitment to excellence and adherence to evidence-based practices influences everything we do. Given these recent successful audits, I’d like to take this opportunity to review the accreditations, certifications and evidenced-based programming we provide.
American Corrections Association (ACA) Accreditation: All six of our facilities are currently ACA accredited. This is a three-year accreditation and requires 100 percent compliance with 32 mandatory standards and 90 percent compliance with 218 non-mandatory standards. Our team works daily throughout the year to reach this high level of compliance.
Council on the Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF): All six of our residential facilities were awarded CARF certification in August 2016. This is a three-year award. Our next audit is slated for 2019.
Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA): We were PREA certified at our Berrien, Calhoun and Kalamazoo Chicago Ave. facilities in November of 2016. We will be audited for certification at our other three facilities in September of this year. As this is also a three-year certification, we will be up for another audit at the first three locations in November of 2019.
Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT): This is an evidenced-based cognitive behavioral program. Group facilitators must be MRT certified. That involves a one-week, 32-hour training program. We currently have 17 staff members who are MRT certified and six more who will complete the training program this month.
Vocational Programs: Our vocational programs reflect our commitment to quality as well. At Walnut & Park, we provide quality food and beverages for our customers and practical occupation skills training for our employees and students. In our Hospitality program, we use a nationally recognized curriculum, and our students earn both ServeSafe, CPR and OSHA 10 certifications. In our Building Trades Program, we not only have a builder’s license, but our staff is RPP certified. Our students get hands-on experience and also complete OSHA 10 certification.
Our commitment to excellence starts with our board of directors and carries through to our newest staff members. Whether you are an employee, a volunteer, a client, a community partner or a customer you should get a sense that we are an exemplary professional organization that is striving to provide a quality service in hopes of changing lives.