Accreditation

Why does accreditation matter?

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Consumers face a variety of options when deciding what services to use and who should provide them. Accreditation is a sign of quality services and is an important consideration in their decision making. They turn to CARF accreditation for confidence in their choice of retirement living.

CARF International has surveyed hundreds of thousands of programs throughout North and South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia since it was founded as an independent, nonprofit accreditor in 1966.

The value of accreditation goes beyond a competitive distinction for service providers and a framework for continuous quality improvement. CARF offers a wide variety of value-added benefits and several unique advantages to help providers receive the greatest return for their accreditation investment.

How is accreditation achieved?

Achieving accreditation requires a service provider to commit to quality improvement and place its focus on the unique needs and results of services for each of the persons the provider serves.

A service provider begins the accreditation process with an internal examination of its program and business practices. Then the provider requests an on-site survey that will be conducted by a team of expert practitioners selected by CARF. During the survey, the provider must demonstrate that it conforms to a series of rigorous and internationally recognized CARF standards.

Based on the results of the survey, CARF prepares a written report of the provider’s strengths and areas for improvement. If a provider has sufficiently demonstrated its conformance to the standards, it earns CARF accreditation.

After receiving the report, the provider must submit a quality improvement plan to CARF to show how it is addressing any areas for improvement. Then, each year during the term of accreditation, the provider must submit a report to CARF documenting additional improvements it has made. More information about the accreditation process can be found at steps to accreditation.

CARF’s mission, vision, core values, and purposes

Mission

The mission of CARF is to promote the quality, value, and optimal outcomes of services through a consultative accreditation process that centers on enhancing the lives of the persons served.

Vision

Through responsiveness to a dynamic and diverse environment, CARF serves as a catalyst for improving the quality of life of the persons served by CARF-accredited organizations and the programs and services they provide.

Core values

CARF believes in the following core values:

  • All people have the right to be treated with dignity and respect.
  • All people should have access to needed services that achieve optimum outcomes.
  • All people should be empowered to exercise informed choice.

CARF’s accreditation, research, and educational activities are conducted in accordance with these core values and with the utmost integrity.

In addition, CARF is committed to:

  • The continuous improvement of both organizational management and service delivery.
  • Diversity and cultural competence in all CARF activities and associations.
  • Enhancing the involvement of persons served in all of CARF’s activities.
  • Persons served being active participants in the development and application of standards of accreditation.
  • Enhancing the meaning, value, and relevance of accreditation to persons served.

Purposes

In support of CARF’s mission, vision, and core values, CARF’s purposes are:

  • To develop and maintain current, field-driven standards that improve the value and responsiveness of the programs and services delivered to people in need of rehabilitation and other life enhancement services.
  • To recognize organizations that achieve accreditation through a consultative peer-review process and demonstrate their commitment to the continuous improvement of their programs and services with a focus on the needs and outcomes of the persons served.
  • To conduct accreditation research emphasizing outcomes measurement and management, and to provide information on common program strengths as well as areas needing improvement.
  • To provide consultation, education, training, and publications that support organizations in achieving and maintaining accreditation of their programs and services.
  • To provide information and education to persons served and other stakeholders on the value of accreditation.
  • To seek input and to be responsive to persons served and other stakeholders.

Who we are

Founded in 1966 as the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, CARF International is an independent, nonprofit accreditor of health and human services in the following areas:

  • Aging Services
  • Behavioral Health
    • Opioid Treatment Programs
  • Business and Services Management Networks
  • Child and Youth Services
  • Employment and Community Services
    • Vision Rehabilitation
  • Medical Rehabilitation
    • DMEPOS (Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies)

The CARF family of organizations currently accredits close to 47,000 programs and services at more than 20,000 locations on five continents. More than 8.3 million persons of all ages are served annually by more than 6,000 CARF-accredited providers.

CARF accreditation extends to 17 countries in North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Structure of CARF

Twelve elected members of the CARF Board of Directors approve policies regarding standards development and the accreditation process and fiscal matters governing the operation of CARF. The board’s composition reflects individuals whose expertise, experience, and perspectives are invaluable to CARF’s business interests and success:

  • Board Chair: Cathy Ellis, PT, Washington, D.C.
  • Kevin C. Baack, Ph.D., Readfield, Maine
  • Susanne M. Bruyère, Ph.D., CRC, Ithaca, New York
  • Thomas J. Buckley, Ed.D., Hollywood, Florida
  • Richard Forkosh, Manchester, Missouri
  • Cheryl Gagne, Sc.D., CRC, Boston, Massachusetts
  • Kayda Johnson, Solana Beach, California
  • Marvin Mashner, West Point, Pennsylvania
  • James T. McDeavitt, M.D., Charlotte, North Carolina
  • Paul Nathenson, M.P.A., Lincoln, Nebraska
  • D. Sharon Osborne, Seattle, Washington
  • Herb Zaretsky, Ph.D., New York City, New York

CARF Canada is governed by a board of directors:

  • Board Chair: Brian J. Boon, Ph.D., Tucson, Arizona
  • H. Stanley Eichenauer, M.S.W., M.Div., Dayton, Ohio

The board liaison may be contacted at board@carf.org.

CARF also benefits from national associations and individuals joining together in support of the value of accreditation through membership in the International Advisory Council (IAC). These member associations and individuals represent a broad range of expertise and specialties. They support CARF’s mission, vision, core values, and purposes by providing input on standards and related matters.

Above material courtesy of www.carf.org

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