Original source of information is the CARF website. The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities International (CARF) was founded in 1966 and serves the following areas: aging services, behavioral health, business and services management networks, child and youth services, employment and community services, and medical rehabilitation.Did you know that new CARF standards effective for surveys conducted after June 30, 2012?
Their mission is “to promote the quality, value, and optimal outcomes of services through a consultative accreditation process that centers on enhancing the lives of the persons served.” CARF is constantly updating their policies and practices to keep up with the ever-changing world or Rehab. Thus far in 2012, the following four initiatives have been announced:
CARF Standards Effective for Surveys Conducted After June 30, 2012
- Case management standards to Aging Services accreditation area
- Accreditation for supported education in 2012 Employment and Community Services Standards Manual
- Accreditation for independent evaluation services in 2012 Medical Rehabilitation Standards Manual
- Accreditation for student counseling in 2012 Behavioral Health Standards Manual
CARF Standards Effective for Surveys Conducted After June 30, 2012
This current blog will focus on case management standards and supported education. The following blog will focus on independent evaluation and student counseling.
According to the director of CARF’s Aging Services accreditation area, “Many aging services organizations offer home and community services for diverse populations that continue to reside in their own homes. Case management accreditation provides standards for delivering high quality services that assess consumer’s individual needs, refer them to the appropriate services, and arrange or coordinate their care.” These standards are now being extended to case management and are already a part of other areas which CARF accredits. Aging organizations can choose to become accredited in case management but not required. Organizations that manage the care of people in assisted living facilities, long-term care settings, or continuing care retirement communities are not required to add these standards to their existing accreditation. The effective date of the case management standards is surveys conducted after June 30, 2012.
Supported education refers to the postsecondary education of people with disabilities. The purpose is to support individuals who are enrolled or want to enroll in an education program to achieve their educational goals. According to Paul Andrew, managing director of CARF’s Employment and Community Services accreditation area, “Supported education expresses the belief that persons with disabilities can attend classes, learn and improve their options. Individuals with postsecondary degrees or certificates can enjoy the benefits of higher levels of earnings and savings, increased personal and professional mobility, improved quality of life for their children, and more job and career choices.” These standards will apply to surveys conducted after June 30, 2012.
Please return to our website to view part 2, the conclusion of the new CARF standards effective for surveys conducted after June 30, 2012. These will include: Accreditation for independent evaluation services in 2012 Medical Rehabilitation Standards Manual and Accreditation for student counseling in 2012 Behavioral Health Standards Manual.
BHM Healthcare Solutions is one of the top healthcare consulting firms in the country. One of our many areas of expertise is CARF accreditation. Our CARF accreditation consultants always stay abreast of any regulatory changes and are experts in helping our clients obtain or renew accreditation status. If you are in need of CARF accreditation consulting, please contact us by calling 1-888-831-1171.
