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CEO Earns Fifth Consecutive Accreditation

By May 4, 2012January 11th, 2019No Comments

Adults with disabilities to continue working at Cedar County facility

Cedar Employment Opportunities (CEO) in Tipton has been awarded a three-year reaccreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), for the fifth consecutive time. Through this accreditation, CEO demonstrates its commitment to offering programs and services that are measurable, accountable and of the highest standards.

CEO is a nonprofit sheltered workshop providing meaningful work opportunities and skill training to about 30 adults with disabilities, most of whom reside in Cedar County. Kirkwood Community College provides the staff and the building for the CEO operation.

For accreditation, CEO proved it was following more than 20 CARF standards, including leadership of the organization, input from those served, health and safety, rights of persons served and accessibility. CARF officials said the center is meeting or exceeding the standards for rehabilitation facilities.

“This accreditation is necessary to allow agencies like Cedar County Case Management to continue using their funding to serve this population,” said Barb Mussman, Rehabilitation Services director at Kirkwood Community College. “The accreditation allows us to continue providing meaningful work activities for our consumers, which helps them feel like a productive part of society and enhances their total quality of life.”

For the adults utilizing CEO, work includes paper and plastic sorting, small parts assembly and packaging, compiling and labeling bulk mailings, janitorial services and lawn care. This work comes from employers like North Cedar Recycling in Stanwood, Cedar Crest and Lueck Label in Cedar Rapids, Schumacher Company in Durant, Tipton United Church of Christ and Kirkwood Community College. Wages are paid at piece-rate or hourly levels depending on the job and skills needed.

Any local businesses interested in having work completed by CEO are asked to contact the facility at 563-886-6076.