Tropical New York

As an avid Red Sox fan, this pains me to say….New York City is a pretty cool place. Actually, cool is a poor descriptor of my recent visit to the large city south of us.  It was 91 degrees at 8pm on a return walk to my hotel from dinner. I was there for business; Latham Centers is accredited by the Council on Accreditation and this was its’ tri-annual  conference. I think I might have just made up that word—COA hosts their conference every three years.  Latham is committed to the standards of the COA and we believe our programming supports our mission to compassionately and creatively help children and adults with complex special needs, including Prader-Willi Syndrome lead meaningful, abundant lives. Being a child care worker at Latham is still the best job I have ever had.

It was so unbearably hot and humid in NYC that I thought my flip flops were melting to the sidewalks. Yet each service person I came into contact with was friendly and polite. Now, I grew up in the ‘burbs across the river. I am fairly savvy when it comes to dealing with “city” people. I am not sure why I was so unprepared for the civility that was shown me, but I was. From the busboy clearing my table to the chambermaid at the hotel to the Amtrak employee on the train to and from the city; everyone was nice. It made my time there in that miserable heat less of a hassle.

So, thank you to those people doing the really hard jobs: from the waitresses, housekeepers, direct care workers and nurses to the parents, teachers, counselors, mass transit, safety and emergency personnel. To everyone trying their best in trying circumstances. Thank you, it is appreciated.

Submitted by:
Chris Gallant

"Don't be yourself - be someone a little nicer." 

~Mignon McLaughlin

Latham Centers Earns Expedited Accreditation from Council on Accreditation

Latham is First Human Service Organization Headquartered on Cape to
Achieve Distinction Following Extensive 16-month Process

Latham Centers, Inc., a leading residential treatment center for children and adults with behavioral, developmental and physical disabilities, today announced its fast-track accreditation by the international Council on Accreditation (COA).  Latham is the first human service organization headquartered on the Cape to receive the COA’s expedited seal of approval.  Founded in 1970, Latham Centers serves approximately 90-100 children and adults annually at its residential campus in Brewster, eight adult group homes across the Cape, and supported community and independent living residences.  It is the only treatment center on the East Coast specializing in Prader-Willi Syndrome—a rare genetic disorder with no known cure.

Latham Centers first entered the accreditation process in January of 2010, culminating with a site visit in March 2011 by COA.  Latham voluntarily pursued the intricate 16-month accreditation process toward independent recognition of its achievement of the highest standards of professional practice.  According to COA, Latham’s accreditation was expedited “as a result of not receiving any out of compliance ratings in any of the fundamental practice standards.”

COA partners with human service organizations worldwide to improve service delivery outcomes by developing, applying, and promoting comprehensive accreditation standards.  Organizations are evaluated against best-practice standards, which are developed using a consensus model with input from a wide range of service providers, funders, experts, policymakers and consumers. COA reviews and reaccredits the entire organization, not just specific programs, to ensure the credibility, integrity, and achievement of the organization as a whole.

“With this accreditation, Latham continues to move forward as one of the state’s premiere not for profit organizations for some of our most vulnerable citizens,” stated Anne McManus, Executive Director of Latham Centers.  McManus, who has over three decades of social work experience in child welfare and human services, added, “Members of the board and staff have each proven their steadfast dedication to our mission, always putting the individuals we serve and their families first.  It’s heartening to receive this resounding, independent recognition.”

"The road leading to a goal does not separate you from the destination; 
it is essentially a part of it." 

~Charles DeLint