What Is CARF and Why It Matters

What Is CARF and Why It Matters

While in the process of searching for the right treatment center for you, there are so many options to consider. You want the best of the best, and one of the most important things to look for in a great treatment center is its accreditations. Learning what these accreditations are and why they are important can be the decision-maker in which treatment center you decide on. CARF is one of the most important ones. Keep reading to find out more about CARF and why having this accreditation is important to you and your long-term recovery.

Understanding CARF

CARF, which stands for Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, is an independent, nonprofit organization focused on advancing the quality of services you use to meet your needs for the best possible outcomes.

CARF provides accreditation services worldwide at the request of health and human service providers. Whether you are seeking rehabilitation for a disability, treatment for addiction and substance abuse, home and community services, retirement living, or other health and human services, you can have confidence in your choice. Providers that meet our standards have demonstrated their commitment to being among the best available.

CARF provides accreditation to:

  • Aging Services
  • Behavioral Health
  • Child and Youth Services
  • Employment and Community Services
  • Vision Rehabilitation Services
  • Medical Rehabilitation
  • Opioid Treatment Programs

How to Achieve CARF Accreditation

Service providers can achieve accreditation by showing the Commission that they are committed to quality improvement, can focus on the unique needs of each person the provider serves, and are able to monitor the results of services.

Steps to become accredited:

  1. The accreditation process begins with an internal examination of its program and business practices
  2. The provider then requests an on-site survey that will be conducted by a team of expert practitioners selected by CARF. During the survey, the provider must demonstrate that it conforms to a series of rigorous and internationally recognized CARF standards.
  3. Based on the results of the survey, CARF prepares a written report of the provider’s strengths and areas for improvement. If a provider has sufficiently demonstrated its conformance to the standards, it earns CARF accreditation.
  4. 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.
  5. Each year during the term of accreditation, the provider must submit a report to CARF documenting additional improvements it has made.

Why CARF Accreditation Matters To You

Does finding a treatment provider without a CARF accreditation mean it’s bad? Does it really matter? How does it affect the individuals who are making the decision whether or not to choose that particular treatment provider? CARF accreditations mean that the facility has high standards, is extremely safe, and individualized needs are met.

High Standards

Earning a CARF accreditation is a rigorous process. It can take many months to finally achieve and costs the provider money. The CARF seal is a stamp of approval and quality so that the prospective client knows it meets those rigorous standards without having to do further research. This can be very important when looking for a luxury rehab since quality and standards are of utmost importance.

A Safe Facility

CARF accredited facilities meet important safety standards. It must be very clean and well-kept and meet all safety standards. This makes it an important place for the community it is in so that all members can feel welcome if they choose to go there.

Individualized Needs Are Met

Resident care is the heart of CARF accreditation standards. Meeting each client’s individual needs is of utmost importance. CARF accredited facilities are not cookie-cutter like many behavioral health centers. Instead, the client’s individual needs are met and exceeded, ensuring the best possible long-term results.

About Seasons in Malibu

For more than 50 years, the CARF seal has been the hallmark of quality in human services. CARF’s reputation for advancing excellence in the industry is founded largely on its unique peer-review accreditation model, inclusive of its consultative survey, conformance focus, and evolving, field-driven standards. Seasons in Malibu is proud to be accredited by CARF.

Known as one of the best drug rehab centers in the world, Seasons in Malibu is CARF-accredited and was recently featured in Newsweek for their “Excellence in Dependency Treatment” honors. All primary therapists at Seasons hold Doctorate degrees in psychology, and case managers have master’s degree-level training or higher, which is something unheard of at almost any other treatment center in the world.

Treatment at Seasons in Malibu is systemic and client-centered. You are able to walk to the beach and be across the Pacific Coast Highway from one of the most famous beaches in the world, Matador Beach. We use the ocean to our full advantage, offering surfing and kayaking lessons as well as daily beach walks and periodic yoga on the beach. This type of holistic treatment is just an example of the many things at Seasons that speak to the CARF emphasis on individualized needs.

With the intensity of the schedule and the focus on using your time well, no one mistakes treatment for addiction to illegal street drugs, alcohol or dangerous prescription drugs at Seasons in Malibu for a vacation. Yet so that our clients can do the work well and with rest and focus, our Malibu rehab centers provide an opportunity to contemplate and rest and recharge with quiet and space.