Media & News:
Residence XII Receives “Exemplary” Accreditation from CARFRecognizing the organization’s commitment to improving the quality of the lives of women served, CARF awarded Residence XII with a three-year accreditation in November of 2009. This is the first time Residence XII requested and received certification for mental health services in addition to alcohol and other drugs/addictions. CARF, the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, is an international organization which surveys facilities to ensure that they are fully and productively using professional standards to maintain and improve the quality of their programs. The survey is conducted by independent industry professionals who spend two days at each agency where they review procedures, systems and physical facilities as well as interview staff and patients.
CARF was founded in 1966 and is an international, independent nonprofit accreditor of providers in a variety of human service fields such as aging, behavioral health, children and youth, employment and medical rehabilitation. CARF and its related organizations currently accredit more than 5,500 providers at more than 19,000 locations around the world. CARF is also involved in education, research and publishing related to these human service fields. CARF’s mission and purpose is to develop and maintain “field-driven standards that improve the value and responsiveness of the programs and services delivered to people in need of rehabilitation and other life enhancement services.”
The surveyors who came to Residence XII recognized the organization’s ongoing “commitment to providing a broad spectrum of services designed to address unique needs specific to the female population of the area.” The two CARF surveyors reviewed both clinical and administrative areas. Residence XII’s strategic plans, financial management and planning, risk assessments, health and safety procedures, use of technology, and information measurement were all found to be in compliance. Clinical program standards are a primary focus of the review and these include program structure, screening and access, individual planning, transition and discharge, recordkeeping, and behavioral health care programs. We are very pleased that Residence XII was complimented for its well-written and comprehensive core program plans, and its extensive and comprehensive support services for women with mental illnesses.
Residence XII was recognized for exemplary conformance to standards for its family support counseling and the family group therapy included in the intensive outpatient, relapse prevention, continuing care and residential programs. The family program is designed to educate and support recovery for the patient’s family members and friends, and the surveyors recognized Residence XII for including this program throughout the continuum of care. “Family members are strongly encouraged to participate in the program, and it is conveniently scheduled for evenings and weekends. The well-developed curriculum provides a solid foundation for the healing process to begin by addressing a variety of issues, including broken relationships, mistrust, and children caught in the crossfire. Patients interviewed expressed how the family support counseling restored heartfelt hope in rebuilding family relationships and enhancing the desire to stay sober and grow in recovery.”
This was Residence XII’s sixth successful accreditation. In addition to many accolades, the reviewers had a few suggestions for program improvement. We are in the process of determining how best to incorporate the surveyors’ suggestions into our staff training programs and schedules. Again we want to thank our clinical and administrative staff for all their hard work preparing for the survey.
