Ozark Center Earns Accreditation for Health and Human Services

Joplin, Mo. – Ozark Center takes pride in achieving accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). Founded in 1966, CARF is an independent, nonprofit accreditor of health and human services. It provides a visible symbol that assures the public of a provider’s commitment to continually enhancing the quality of services and programs with a focus on the satisfaction of persons served.

“Receiving the highest level of CARF accreditation reflects Ozark Center’s commitment to providing quality care to our community and our clients,” said Mary Parrigon, Ozark Center Executive Director. “I am proud of Ozark Center’s staff for achieving and maintaining these high standards of care.”

CARF surveyors recently visited Ozark Center facilities to evaluate how well services meet international standards of quality in behavioral health programs. During the survey, people who use Ozark Center services, their families and Ozark Center staff were interviewed about services provided and received. Ozark Center met or exceeded expectations in:

•  Behavioral Consultation Services (Autism Spectrum Disorder – Children and Adolescents)
•  Child and Youth Services (Autism Spectrum Disorder – Children and Adolescents)
•  Community Employment Services: Employment Supports
•  Community Employment Services: Job Development
•  Personal Support Services (Autism Spectrum Disorder – Adults) 
•  Personal Support Services (Autism Spectrum Disorder – Children and Adolescents)
•  Respite Services (Autism Spectrum Disorder – Adults)
•  Respite Services (Autism Spectrum Disorder – Children and Adolescents)

The above accreditations were added to the fourteen existing CARF-accredited services offered by Ozark Center and extend through May 2017. “These accreditations are a significant achievement for Ozark Center and are further indication of our dedication and commitment to continually improve patient outcomes,” said Debbie Fitzgerald, Ozark Center Crisis Services Director. “By monitoring the satisfaction of persons served, we can determine which areas need improvement.”

With 500 employees in 30 locations serving approximately 14,000 clients annually, Ozark Center continually seeks news ways to provide quality services to clients by engaging independent agencies that monitor quality in the delivery of mental health programs. Ozark Center is the comprehensive behavioral health division of Freeman Health System.

Ozark Center – Celebrating 50 Years
An integral component of Freeman Health System based in Joplin, Mo., Ozark Center provides comprehensive behavioral health services to children, adults, and families in an area that includes more than 450,000 residents from Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Kansas. Ozark Center continually looks for innovative ways to address the mental health needs of the community and promote awareness of mental illness in an effort to eliminate the discrimination associated with it. For more information, visit ozarkcenter.com or call 417.347.7600.

Freeman Health System – Celebrating 90 Years
Locally owned, not-for-profit and nationally recognized, Freeman Health System includes Freeman Hospital West, Freeman Hospital East, Freeman Neosho Hospital and Ozark Center – the area’s largest provider of behavioral health services – as well as two urgent care clinics, dozens of physician clinics and a variety of specialty services. In 2014, Freeman earned 90 individual awards for medical excellence and safety from CareChex®, a quality rating system that helps consumers evaluate healthcare providers. U.S. News & World Report ranked Freeman #1 Hospital in Southwest Missouri in 2014-15, and The Leapfrog Group gave Freeman the highest grade possible in the Fall 2014 Hospital Safety Score. With more than 300 physicians on staff representing more than 60 specialties, Freeman provides cancer care, heart and vascular care, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopaedics, children’s services and women’s services. Additionally, Freeman is the only Children’s Miracle Network Hospital in a 70-mile radius. For more information, visit freemanhealth.com or facebook.com/freemanhealthsystem or follow Freeman President and Chief Executive Officer Paula Baker at twitter.com/freemanceo. #FreemanTurns90