LARGO, MD — (August 6, 2026)  —  The Arc Prince George’s County has earned CARF Accreditation, an internationally recognized mark of excellence awarded to organizations that demonstrate the highest standards of quality, accountability, and person-centered service delivery.

The achievement follows an extensive review process that examined The Arc’s leadership, governance, service delivery, health and safety practices, outcomes, and commitment to continuous improvement. CARF accreditation represents the highest level of confidence that an organization is providing services that are measurable, accountable, and centered on the people it serves.

For The Arc Prince George’s County, this accomplishment is more than a certificate on the wall.

It is the result of months of preparation and decades of dedication by employees across every department who worked together to strengthen policies, refine processes, document outcomes, and ensure that every aspect of the organization reflects best practices in supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

“This accreditation belongs to every member of The Arc family,” said Rob Malone, President & CEO of The Arc Prince George’s County. “Behind this achievement are countless hours of collaboration, self-reflection, and hard work by employees who never lost sight of why we do this work. CARF affirmed what our community already knows—that The Arc is committed to providing services that are compassionate, accountable, and always centered on the people we support. While we’re proud of this milestone, we’re even more excited about what it means for the future as we continue raising the standard of excellence.”

CARF International is an independent, nonprofit accreditor of health and human services. Organizations voluntarily participate in the accreditation process to demonstrate that they meet internationally recognized standards and are committed to continuous quality improvement. The process includes an in-depth peer review and on-site survey conducted by experienced professionals from the human services field.

For the thousands of people and families served by The Arc Prince George’s County each year, CARF accreditation provides added confidence that services are delivered with a focus on safety, quality, individual choice, and measurable outcomes. Accreditation also demonstrates the organization’s commitment to respecting individual rights, listening to the people it serves, and continually improving programs based on best practices.

“Every policy we reviewed, every process we strengthened, and every conversation we had throughout this journey came back to one question: How can we better serve people?” said Thalia Simpson-Clement, Chief Programs Officer. “CARF accreditation validates the incredible work our teams do every day, but it also challenges us to keep improving. Excellence isn’t a destination—it’s a commitment we renew every single day for the people and families who trust us.”

Founded in 1952, The Arc Prince George’s County has spent more than 75 years empowering people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live, work, and thrive in their communities. Today, the organization supports more than 5,000 children, adults, seniors, and families each year through early intervention, employment services, behavioral health, family support, benefits enrollment, transportation, advocacy, and community-based programs.

The CARF designation underscores The Arc’s promise to provide services that are not only compassionate and person-centered, but also held to internationally recognized standards of excellence.

About The Arc Prince George’s County:
For more than 75 years, The Arc Prince George’s County has empowered children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to achieve their highest potential and live rich, fulfilling lives. Through innovative programs, advocacy, employment supports, family services, behavioral health, and community partnerships, The Arc serves more than 5,000 people annually while building a stronger, more inclusive Prince George’s County.