March 2023 - The Barry Robinson Center

Some of the BRC School staff display certificates of achievement presented during an ice cream social to celebrate the VAISEF accreditation.

The Barry Robinson Center (BRC) recently received another five-year accreditation for its educational program from the Virginia Association of Independent Specialized Education Facilities (VAISEF).

VAISEF is an association of Virginia private providers of specialized education and services for children and youth with special needs, and their families. VAISEF accredits private special education programs that are regulated by the Virginia Department of Education.

“We’re very pleased to earn another five-year accreditation from VAISEF for our school,” said Eric Krumich, vice president of education for BRC. “It’s a rigorous review process that keeps us accountable and demonstrates our commitment to excellence for our residents’ academic progress during residential treatment.”

VAISEF’s accreditation standards serve as “indicators” of educational excellence, including governance, supervision, staff development, student management, professional and paraprofessional training, instructional services, student records, safety, parental involvement and much more.

“Our teachers, teacher assistants and other staff worked very hard to prepare for the VAISEF review team, alongside their regular duties,” Krumich said. “I’m very proud of our education team and the outstanding work they do every day to serve our residents. This accreditation is a testament to their passion and dedication.”

Learn more about BRC’s education program and about VAISEF.

The Barry Robinson Center (BRC) has earned its second consecutive three-year accreditation from CARF International for its residential treatment, counseling/outpatient, and treatment foster care programs. BRC received its first accreditation from CARF in 2020.

CARF is an independent, nonprofit accrediting body that establishes consumer-focused standards to help organizations measure and improve the quality of their programs and services.

Three years is CARF’s highest level of accreditation and shows BRC’s significant conformance to CARF standards. An organization receiving a three-year accreditation has put itself through a rigorous peer review process. It has demonstrated to a team of surveyors its commitment to offering programs and services that are measurable, accountable, and of the highest quality.

Rob McCartney, CEO, said BRC chose to pursue CARF accreditation because its standards replicated and enhanced BRC’s goals and objectives. Earning the initial accreditation in 2020 and the renewal in 2023 demonstrates BRC’s commitment to improving the lives of children and families.

“CARF’s focus on accountability, collaboration and education are the best fit for our current and future needs,” McCartney said. “CARF also allows us flexibility to decide which programs to accredit. It’s important for us to respond to our community’s changing needs, and CARF allows us to do that.”

BRC’s first CARF accrediting survey in late 2019 involved the survey team spending three days on campus for an extensive review of all clinical and operational systems. This time around, in October 2022, the survey team completed their work virtually.

“The survey team shared how impressed they were with our clinical programs and the engagement and openness of our team members,” McCartney said. “With all the survey preparation and our daily focus on excellence, we were confident CARF would grant us another three-year accreditation.

“We have an exceptional team of dedicated individuals, and we provide great care. We’re proud to hold his accreditation, and we look forward to many more years of partnership with CARF.”

For more information about the accreditation process, visit the CARF website.

VAISEF Renews School Accreditation

Month: March 2023