Behavioral Blueprints is dedicated to helping your organization deliver high-quality health and human services. Learn how we can guide you through the journey to achieving CARF accreditation.
CARF Accreditation
Embarking on the path to CARF Accreditation marks a vital step for organizations dedicated to providing high-quality health and human services. Behavioral Blueprints serves as a trusted partner in this pursuit of excellence, offering expertise and guidance to help navigate the complexities of the accreditation process
As organizations work to meet CARF’s rigorous standards, our consulting services play a crucial role in supporting every stage, from understanding requirements to ensuring post-accreditation sustainability.
What is CARF?
CARF International, formerly known as the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, is an independent, nonprofit accreditor of health and human services. Founded in 1966, CARF is committed to promoting the quality, value, and optimal outcomes of services through a consultative accreditation process and continuous improvement efforts focused on enhancing the lives of those served. With a vision to act as a catalyst for improving access to services and the quality of life, CARF is guided by core values that emphasize equitable treatment, dignity, respect, and inclusion for all. The organization is dedicated to ongoing improvement, fostering diversity, cultural competence, and empowering individuals to make informed decisions. CARF’s purposes include developing and maintaining standards, recognizing accredited organizations committed to improvement, conducting outcomes-focused research, providing consultation and education, and driving continuous improvement initiatives. Overall, CARF International plays a crucial role in accrediting and enhancing health and human services by setting standards, acknowledging excellence, and supporting ongoing development efforts
What Are the Standards for CARF Accreditation?
The standards for CARF accreditation are tailored to the offerings and objectives of each facility. Whether focusing on behavioral health services or medical rehabilitation, CARF establishes specific criteria that facilities must meet based on the programs they aim to provide to clients.
Behavioral Blueprints can assist you in understanding the accreditation goals relevant to your facility and ensuring you stay informed about any updates or changes to the standards.
What Are the Steps for CARF Accreditation?
The process of obtaining CARF accreditation can be complex, but specialized CARF accreditation consulting services can make it manageable and efficient.
Contact Behavioral Blueprints
Begin by reaching out to Behavioral Blueprints, your trusted behavioral healthcare consulting partner. Our team will connect you with a CARF resource specialist who will guide you through the accreditation process. The specialist will assist with accessing Customer Connect for document transmission and help identify the relevant standards manual for your programs or services.
Conduct a Self-Evaluation
With guidance from the resource specialist, perform a detailed self-study to evaluate your program’s compliance with CARF standards. This step is critical for assessing readiness for the accreditation survey.
Submit a Survey Application
Complete the survey application, specifying your preferred two-month survey timeframe. Include details about leadership, the programs or services being accredited, and the service locations.
Invoice and Survey Scheduling
After submitting the application, you’ll receive an invoice for the survey fee, based on the required number of surveyors and survey days. Survey scheduling begins immediately after invoicing. Contact us for a fee estimate if needed.
Survey Team Selection
Behavioral Blueprints collaborates with CARF to select a survey team with expertise relevant to your program’s characteristics. The team uses a consultative approach tailored to your needs.
Survey Conduct
The survey team conducts the accreditation survey by observing services, interviewing stakeholders and persons served, and reviewing documentation. Throughout the survey, they provide consultative insights to your staff.
Accreditation Decision
Based on the survey findings, CARF issues one of the following decisions: Five-Year Accreditation (CCRCs only), Three-Year Accreditation, One-Year Accreditation, Provisional Accreditation, Nonaccreditation
Quality Improvement Plan (QIP)
Within 90 days of the accreditation decision, submit a Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) detailing actions taken or planned to address areas for improvement identified in the report.
Annual Conformance to Quality Report (ACQR)
After achieving accreditation, submit an Annual Conformance to Quality Report (ACQR). Behavioral Blueprints will provide you with the ACQR form approximately ten weeks before the submission deadline.
How Behavioral Blueprints Can Help
Behavioral Blueprints provides ongoing support throughout the CARF accreditation process, ensuring you maintain conformance to standards and addressing any queries along the way. We are committed to your success, offering expert guidance at every step of your accreditation journey.
Consulting Services at Behavioral Blueprints
Our consulting services go beyond achieving CARF accreditation, offering comprehensive solutions for mental health and drug rehab facilities. Behavioral Blueprints provides:
Build
Start-Up Planning
Program Clinical Development
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Consulting
Grow
Marketing Strategy Development
Operational Consulting
Staffing Consulting
Insurance Credentialing Assistance
Partner with Behavioral Blueprints to build and grow your behavioral healthcare business with tailored expertise and support
