CARF Accreditation – Our Next Positive Step

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We are fortunate that we live in a time when people are beginning to obtain a deeper understanding of what mental health is all about. We know more now than ever before about its importance, the necessity of treatment when necessary and the fact that it’s a disease as opposed to something to hide. That’s partially why more people are seeking treatment. That’s also why facilities that earn accreditation from organizations like CARF stand out for those who are looking for help.

CARF, or the Commission on the Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, is an organization whose mission is not only important, but vital. SoCal Empowered is proud to announce that we have earned CARF accreditation, which only adds to our list of positive steps towards helping as many people with mental health challenges as possible. We’ll explain why this is so important below.

What Is CARF?

CARF International, as it’s also known, offers accreditation for service providers dedicated to different disciplines around the globe. CARF was originally established in 1966 and has been growing on a worldwide basis ever since. It has offices in the United States, Canada and Europe. It also has people advancing its mission in the Middle East and Asia.

That mission, according to CARF, is:

[T]o promote the quality, value, and optimal outcomes of services through a consultative accreditation process and continuous improvement services that center on enhancing the lives of persons served.

The different disciplines in which CARF offers accreditation include:

  • Aging services
  • Behavioral health
  • Child and youth services
  • Employment and community services
  • Medical rehabilitation

To date, more than 8,000 service providers with more than 60,000 programs at 28,000 locations around the world have earned CARF accreditation. SoCal Empowered is now a member of this group.

How Is CARF Accreditation Earned?

Earning CARF accreditation is an involved and challenging process, as it should be. The steps taken towards CARF accreditation include:

  • An internal examination of a provider’s programs and business practices
  • An on-site survey conducted by experts chosen by CARF
  • A successful completion of the on-site survey

Based on the results of the on-site survey, the provider analyzes the written report prepared by CARF. If the report is sufficiently positive, the provider earns CARF accreditation. However, that is not the end of the effort, as CARF accreditation is an ongoing process. After receiving the report, the provider must:

  • Submit a Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) to CARF to show how it is addressing any areas for improvement.
  • The provider must then submit an annual report to CARF documenting additional improvements it has made while it is accredited.

SoCal Empowered has successfully completed these steps.

What Does CARF Accreditation Mean For You?

People who are struggling with mental health challenges face a difficult situation. They and their loved ones are often unsure of what to do and where to turn for help. The last thing anyone or any family in this position needs is to wonder about whether or not a mental health provider they are considering is going to provide the type of care they need at a standard that’s acceptable.

CARF accreditation is a strong indicator that people who choose any of these accredited providers is making a sound decision. They can rest easier that the facility that they are trusting is going to provide a level of care that allows the person or people who need help to enjoy the best possible chance of success. In short, it’s a comfort to people who absolutely need as much comfort as possible given their circumstances.

How SoCal Empowered Can Help You

If you or a loved one is facing a mental health challenge that you need help understanding, treating and ultimately managing, then you need to act now before things become even more problematic. Like any disease, serious mental health problems are not going to get better on their own. Unfortunately, they’re most likely only going to get worse if they go untreated.

The first step you should take is to contact us here at SoCal Empowered. Not only are we now CARF accredited, but one of the many reasons that we earned this status is because of the way we treat the people who reach out to us. The first thing we’re going to do is listen to you situation. If we think that a stay with us is the best step for you, that’s what we’re going to tell you. In addition, we’ll even deal directly with your insurance company to define your coverage and benefits before your stay with us so that we minimize any ambiguity in that regard.

However, if we feel some other pathway is best, we’ll tell you that as well. All we worry about when we hear from someone is finding them the best solution for their situation. Therefore, you have only important things to gain when you contact us, so do so today if you need help.

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