Richland Newhope has received its second straight five-year accreditation from the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities.

The state review was conducted in May, and the agency was found to be in full compliance with all state standards.

Superintendent Liz Prather says the state looks at how the agency serves the community, especially in its efforts to train people with developmental disabilities for jobs, and to place them with one of the 125 participating employers.

Richland Newhope supports 1800 individuals through early intervention, preschool, adult residential, therapy, transportation, and other family support programs.

Fewer than half of the county boards of developmental disabilities in Ohio have achieved the five-year accreditation status.