The latest accreditation is the thirteenth consecutive three-year accreditation that the international accrediting body, CARF, has given to Lakestate Industries. According to agency executive director Cheryl Ohman, the development amounts to a “Seal of approval.

“Every three years, we have to go through this,” she said. “Our funding sources have to know were doing everything we can to provide high quality services.”

CARF is an independent, nonprofit accrediting body whose mission is to promote the quality, value, and optimal outcomes of services through a consultative accreditation process and continuous improvement services that center on enhancing the lives of the persons served.

Founded in 1966 as the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, and now known as CARF International, the accrediting body establishes consumer-focused standards to help organizations measure and improve the quality of their programs and services.

Pictured is the popular Yooper Fire Starters, a key selling product made by people employed by Lakestate Industries. (Journal file photo))

Lakestate Industries has offices at 1830 N. 21st St., Escanaba and at 401 W. Baraga Ave., Marquette. It has been providing community employment services for persons with special needs in the Delta County area since 1973 and Marquette County area since 2013.

Overall, about 100 clients are served in both locations.. The workers manufacture a variety of products, including the well-known firestarters and small pieces of furniture, all the while engaging in vocational training.

Some workers are focused on the manufacture of pallet stock while others are involved with janitorial services, confidential document shredding and other specific administrative work.

In addition, the agency provides housing and staff oversight in group home settings in several locations.

For additional information, contact Ohman at 906-786-9212 or visit its website at https://lakestateindustries.org/