WTC Achieves Three-Year Accreditation!

Work Training Center, Inc. and its affiliated programs (WTC) has been notified by The Rehabilitation Accreditation Commission (CARF) that it has been accredited for a period of three years for all of its programs.

This accreditation outcome represents the highest level of accreditation that can be awarded to an organization, and shows the organization’s substantial conformance to the standards established by CARF. An organization receiving a three year accreditation outcome has put itself through a rigorous peer review process. WTC demonstrated to a team of surveyors during an on-site visit in September that its programs and services are of the highest quality, and are measurable and accountable.

Work Training Center is a non-profit organization with offices and program sites throughout Butte County. It has been providing services to adults with developmental disabilities in this community since 1949. In Oroville, accredited programs include Feather River Industries, Feather River Opportunity Center and Sierra Center and Fair Street Recycling. In Paradise, accredited services are provided at Creative Learning Center and Made in Paradise. In Chico, accredited programs include Prestige Landscape Services, Fair Street Recycling, Bear Mountain Production Services, Community Employment Services, Joe McGie Center, and Deer Creek Sewing. Do It Leisure also has offices in Chico, but provides services throughout Butte County.

CARF is an independent, not-for-profit accrediting body whose mission is to promote the quality, value and optimal outcomes of services through a consultative accreditation process that centers on enhancing the lives of persons served. Founded in 1966 as the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, and now known as CARF, the accrediting body establishes client-based standards to help organizations measure and improve the quality of their programs and services.

The accreditation survey summary report includes commendations for WTC’s executive leadership, professional board of directors, dedicated and passionate staff members, flexible community integration practices, client orientation materials, and community employment efforts and practices.

For additional information about this accreditation, or on WTC programs and services, contact Carl Ochsner, WTC’s CEO, at 343-7994 extension 104 or visit the WTC website, www.wtcinc.org.

54th Annual Turkey Dinner & Raffle is coming November 13th!

Bring your family, friends and healthy appetite to share in a tasty tradition five decades in the making. Load up on mouth-watering turkey, yummy mashed potatoes with gravy, savory stuffing, buttered rolls, tangy cranberry sauce, and much more at the Work Training Center’s 54th Annual Turkey Dinner & Raffle on Thursday, November 13th from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Manzanita Place (Elks Lodge) in Chico.

For over 50 years, thousands of people from Butte County and beyond have supported Work Training Center by participating in this evening of food and fun. The proceeds from this event support valuable programs for the adults with disabilities we serve

Different this year will be the way the dinner is served. “In the past, one of the problems has always been getting hot food on the table,” comments Karen Huff, WTC’s Outreach Administrator. “This year, we hope to alleviate that problem by serving dinner buffet style. We are already working with Manzanita Place on the logistics.”

The Turkey Dinner brings together several service organizations with close to 200 volunteers to coordinate, cook and clean. WTC receives enthusiastic support from 4-H Clubs, Girl Scouts, Chico High School and Pleasant Valley High School Interact Clubs, Board of Realtors Affiliates, Breakfast Lions, Soroptomists, and the Chico Police Department, to name a few. More than 1,000 lbs of turkey, 3,000 rolls, and 200 pies will be prepared by volunteers for this event.

The Turkey Dinner also provides an opportunity to learn more about WTC’s high quality products and services. “Most people have heard of Work Training Center, but often are not exactly sure what we do,” said Executive Director Carl Ochsner. “Once they learn more about WTC, they are amazed by the many services and quality products we offer. The average community member is not aware that we manufacture custom gift crates and sewing products or that we provide specialty packaging, assembly and mailing services to several diverse businesses. We encourage individuals and businesses to tour our facilities or call us to find out what we can do for them.”

Dinner tickets may be purchased at the door or in advance (beginning October 20th) at the following locations: in Chico at: Work Training Center (2255 Fair Street, Chico), and Creative Apple (2201 Pillsbury); in Paradise at Made in Paradise (7323 Skyway); and in Oroville at Feather River Opportunity Center (2905 Lincoln Blvd). Tickets can also be purchased on-line at bearmountaingifts.com.