Value of Becoming CARF Accredited

There are many reasons why your organization may want to become CARF accredited.  The unique on-balanced approach that CARF takes provides feedback on the both your strengths and areas that need to be improved on.  Typical licensing and regulatory reviews focus entirely on enforcing regulations whereby only the perceived areas to be improved upon are pointed out.  CARF takes a nonprescriptive approach; there are many varied ways that the standards can be met.  Furthermore, the surveyors will take a consultative approach as they apply the standards during a survey.  As areas to improve are discovered, the surveyors will give your organization ideas on how you may address such areas. 

Improved Administrative/Business Management:

The CARF standards stress certain business or administrative operations.  By meeting the standards, it will strengthen the ability of your organization to support the services being provided, as well as ensuring the stability of your operations.   

Best Practices:

As the surveyors conduct the survey, each will apply a consultive approach.  The surveyors will share some of their experiences of best practices in meeting the standards that they have observed from other surveys. 

Affirmation:

As stated above, CARF utilizes an on-balanced approach pointing out both strengths and weakness of your organization.  By providing feedback on the things your organization does well, it gives valuable affirmation which is rarely given from outside sources. 

Stamp of Approval:

Upon becoming CARF accredited, your organization will have a stamp of approval.  Accreditation is useful for marketing, coordinating with funding sources and lets the general public know of the legitimacy of your organization.