CARF, the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, was founded in 1966. CARF International is a non-profit, independent accreditor of health and human services. CARF International, through its group of companies, accredits upwards of 50,000 services and programs at 23,000 locations. Six-thousand eight-hundred CARF-accredited service providers annually serve more than 8 million people of all ages. CARF accreditation spans the globe, including the countries Europe, Africa, Asia and North and South America.
What CARF Does
Through its accreditation, CARF promotes quality, value and optimal outcomes of services. Through its consultative accreditation, it centers on enhancing the lives of persons receiving improvement services.
CARF focuses on improving the quality of life of individuals served, and adheres to the core values and beliefs that all people:
- Have the right to be treated with respect and dignity.
- Should have access to needed services achieving optimum outcomes.
- Should be empowered to make informed choices.
CARF conducts its research, education activities, continuous improvement services and accreditation with integrity, and in accordance with its core values.
CARF Accreditation
CARF accreditation is a trusted sign of a service provider’s commitment to consistent and ongoing improvement in its services; that the service provider encourages feedback, and demonstrates commitment to serving the community.
CARF accreditation is an assurance that the accredited service provider’s programs and/or facilities are of the highest quality. CARF accreditation is recognized as a service provider’s demonstration of superior performance on behalf of its clients. Furthermore, CARF accreditation signals that a service provider met internationally accepted and clearly defined standards, ensuring the services delivered continue to meet a standard of excellence.
An Award of CARF Accreditation
It is a significant accomplishment to earn and receive CARF accreditation.
Easter Seals Midwest recently received accreditation from CARF, and their vice-president of Autism Services, Jean Marshall, noted that the CARF accreditation represented “the highest level of accomplishment” awarded to an organization like Easter Seals Midwest.
According to the online ksvs12.com article, during the CARF accreditation process, program offerings planning, leadership, how passionate and enthusiastic the staff were, and commitment to the mission of the organization were all looked at.
Easter Seals Midwest serves nearly 4,000 Missourians, and employs upwards of 1,400 individuals across the state of Missouri.
Wendy Sullivan, CEO of Easter Seals Midwest, noted that the CARF accreditation signifies to Missouri families impacted by autism and developmental disabilities that the Easter Seals Midwest organization is committed to making the needs of the people they serve the focus of everything the organization does.
The Oklahoma-based drug and alcohol rehabilitation and education center of Narconon Arrowhead is also CARF accredited, and has likewise met CARF’s exacting standards as a rehabilitation service provider.
The Narconon Arrowhead drug and alcohol rehabilitation program has been CARF accredited consecutively since 1992.
As part of Narconon Arrowhead receiving its CARF accreditation, it must meet the CARF standards on:
- Training and demeanor of staff.
- The rehab facility value to the community.
- Rehabilitation program success rate.
According to the most recent CARF accreditation report of 2014, Narconon Arrowhead is situated in a naturally beautiful environment conducive to clients focusing on their rehab program and recovery.
Narconon Arrowhead staff were found by CARF to be clearly dedicated, and to consistently have a positive demeanor in working with their clients and others.
CARF found that Narconon Arrowhead consistently helped educate others on the effects of drugs; preventing and resolving drug addiction; and that the surrounding community is highly appreciative of those efforts.
CARF found that the leadership and staff of Narconon Arrowhead are committed to accountability and excellence; consistently striving to improve their program and delivery to maintain and improve upon the standards of excellence which earned them CARF accreditation.
