Certifications
CARF Accreditation
In 2014, Midwest Special Services received its 11th consecutive Three-Year Accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), the international accrediting body for rehabilitation facilities. This accreditation included MSS’ second exemplary rating for its Creative Arts Program. Past reviews have included an exemplary rating for its Autism and eTrac Program. Exemplary ratings are reserved for programs that go far beyond the requirements outlined by CARF’s rigorous standards.
This accreditation decision represents the highest level of accreditation that can be awarded to an organization and shows the organizations substantial conformance to CARFs high standards. An organization receiving a Three-Year Accreditation is subjected to a rigorous peer review process that requires the organization to demonstrate that its programs and services are of the highest quality, measurable, and accountable.
Title VI Complaint Procedure For Complaints Related to Transportation Services Provided by Midwest Special Services, Inc.
Any person who believes she or he has been discriminated against in the delivery of transportation services on the basis of race, color, or national origin by Midwest Special Services, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as “MSS”) may file a Title VI complaint by completing and submitting the agency’s Title VI Complaint Form.
MSS investigates complaints received no more than 180 days after the alleged incident.
Complaints that are filed more than 180 days after the alleged incident will not be investigated and the complainant will be notified of such.
MSS will process complaints that are complete. If the complaint is not complete the complainant will be notified so that corrections can be made.
Once the complaint is received, MSS will review it to determine if our office has jurisdiction. The complainant will receive an acknowledgement letter informing her/him whether the complaint will be investigated by our office. If the complaint is investigated:
MSS has 60 days from receipt of the complaint to investigate the complaint.
If more information is needed to resolve the case, MSS may contact the complainant. The complainant has 15 business days from the date of the letter to send requested information to the investigator assigned to the case. If the investigator is not contacted by the complainant or does not receive the additional information within 15 business days, MSS can administratively close the case.
A case can be administratively closed also if the complainant no longer wishes to pursue their case.
After the investigator completes the investigation of the complaint, the investigator will issue one of two letters to the complainant:
A closure letter or a letter of finding (LOF).
A closure letter summarizes the allegations and states that there was not a Title VI violation and that the case will be closed.
An LOF summarizes the allegations and the interviews regarding the alleged incident, and explains whether any disciplinary action, additional training of the staff member, or other action will occur.
If the complainant wishes to appeal the decision, she/he has 30 days after the date of the letter or the LOF to do so.
Note: MSS also maintains an Affirmative Action Plan approved by the MN Department of Human Rights. Copies of this Plan are available upon request to the Human Resources Department, MSS, 900 Ocean Street, St. Paul, MN 55106.