What is CARF and what does it mean to be accredited?

What is CARF?

Founded in 1966, CARF is a private, not-for-profit organization that promotes quality rehabilitation services. It does this by establishing standards of quality for organizations to use as guidelines in developing and offering their programs or services to consumers. CARF uses the standards to determine how well an organization is serving its consumers and how it can improve.

The CARF standards are developed with input from consumers, rehabilitation professionals, state and national organizations, and funders. Every year the standards are reviewed and new ones are developed to keep pace with changing conditions and current consumer needs.

What Does It Mean to be Accredited?

After an organization applies for accreditation of its services or programs, CARF sends professionals in the field to conduct an on-site survey to determine the degree to which the organization meets the standards. CARF surveyors also consult with staff members and offer suggestions for improving the quality of services.

CARF-accredited programs and services have demonstrated that they substantially meet internationally recognized standards. CARF accreditation means that you can be confident that an organization has made a commitment to continually enhance the quality of its services and programs, and its focus is on consumer satisfaction.

The Benefits of Accreditation to Clients

Choosing CARF-accredited programs and services gives you the assurance that:

• The programs or services actively involve consumers in selecting, planning, and using services.
• The organization's programs and services have met consumer-focused, state-of-the-art international standards of performance.
• These standards were developed with the involvement and input of consumers.
• The organization is focused on assisting each consumer in achieving his or her chosen goals and outcomes.