| Overview
Each core program that applies for CARF
accreditation must have a written description
of its services that describes and guides
the service delivery system.
Accreditation Requirement(s)
To conform to these standards, the organization
must show evidence of the following:
- A written program plan that includes
the program description, philosophy, goals,
services, special populations served,
and an assurance of adequate resources
available to deliver services
Implementation Tips
Some Implementation Tips provided, in part, by Robert Johnson at: www.accreditationnow.com.
- Many programs already have a written
program description that is required for
state licensing, which can be used or
adapted to meet the CARF standards.
- Programs may have most of the required
information available in a variety of
sources/materials such as brochures, mission
statements, policy and procedure manuals,
planning documents, handbooks, outcomes
systems, etc. These can be edited and
placed into one document.
- The written program plan is often a
starting point for the CARF surveyor during
the site review. It can serve as an excellent
orientation and information source for
the surveyor, so programs are encouraged
to accurately and appropriately describe
their services.
- The program description typically includes
data about the population served, including
demographic characteristics.
- If the program is part of a larger
organization, its philosophy and goals
may be the same as the larger organization's,
or they may be different.
- Special populations refer to those
people who are designated as such by the
Federal Government, such as women, pregnant
women, IV drug users, those with HIV/AIDS,
children and adolescents, and/or others
such as the elderly, persons with physical
disabilities such as hearing and seeing
impairments, or sexual offenders.
- By having "adequate resources,"
CARF is referring to staffing the program
with enough employees, as well as appropriately
credentialed staff; office space with
the necessary services (i.e., group rooms,
private offices for individual and family
therapy); and sufficient equipment and
tools, such as computers, to conduct the
business of the program.
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