Beginning CARF Standards

In 1957, the National Rehabilitation Association sponsored a conference to discuss the need for standards in the rehabilitation field. The meeting prompted the National Association of Sheltered Workshops and Homebound Programs to develop standards for workshops. Meanwhile, in the early 1960s, the Association of Rehabilitation Centers (now known as the ARC) began developing standards for medically oriented rehabilitation centers. The two organizations’ pioneering work in standards development formed the basis for the earliest CARF standards.

CARF is incorporated

The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities was incorporated in Illinois as a nonprofit organization on September 27, 1966. Incorporation papers named nine directors, including one from Canada.

Long-term partners

Two of the first four providers have maintained continuous CARF accreditation.

The Texas Institute for Rehabilitation and Research is now known as TIRR Memorial Hermann. It has a Three-Year Accreditation from CARF for three medical rehabilitation programs at two Texas locations.

The Vocational Guidance and Rehabilitation Service shortened its name to Vocational Guidance Services. It has a Three-Year Accreditation from CARF for six of its employment services at several Ohio locations.

CARF accredits its first program in Canada

St. Michael’s Hospital, Vancouver

100th Survey

The Rancho Los Amigos Hospital in Downey, CA, marked the 100th site survey of a rehabilitation facility by CARF. Eugene Erickson (center) accepted the Certificate of Accreditation from William Page (left), Chairman of the CARF Board of Trustees, and Alan Toppel (right), CARF’s Program Director.

A pre-1971 accreditation certificate

A calligrapher hand-penned the provider and program names and each certificate was signed by JCAH Director John D. Porterfield, M.D.

Soon after CARF’s founding, the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals (JCAH, later renamed the Joint Commission) agreed to provide staff, facilities, and operations for the fledgling accrediting body. In return, CARF reimbursed JCAH for actual costs. When CARF began thriving on its own, the agreement amicably ended in 1971.

Active Communications

A meeting to discuss rehabilitation’s unique and decisive efforts in program evaluation, standards of performance, and accreditation. (Left to right) Dr. Andrew S. Adams, Commissioner of Rehabilitation Services; Caspar W. Weinberger, Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare [later renamed the Department of Health and Human Services]; Alan H. Toppel, Executive Director of CARF; and Ray R. Seitz, Vice Chairman of the CARF Board of Trustees.

Goodwill Industries of America recognizes CARF as the accrediting organization for all Goodwill organizations.

10th Anniversary

A congratulatory letter from President Gerald Ford said, “The tenth anniversary of the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities marks an important milestone for all Americans, and most particularly our disabled citizens. I welcome this opportunity to commend your leadership in this vital field.

There are more than 850 organizations with accredited programs/services at nearly 1,900 locations.

June

In an unparalleled action for an accrediting organization, CARF adopted a program evaluation system to provide an ongoing assessment of its effectiveness.

August

CARF relocated its office from Chicago, IL,  to Tucson, AZ.

May

President Jimmy Carter recognized CARF for its significant efforts to upgrade the delivery of rehabilitation services to the nation’s citizens with disabilities.

An Association of Trial Lawyers of America resolution urged state workers’ compensation agencies to require CARF accreditation for rehabilitation organizations serving workers with occupational disabilities.

Standards for Infant and Early Childhood Development Programs, Occupational Skill Training, Activity Services, Residential Services, Independent Living Programs, and Psychosocial Programs were introduced.

Standards for Brain Injury Programs and Programs in Industry were introduced.

Standards for Post-Acute Brain Injury Programs and Community Mental Health Programs were introduced.

Standards for Supported Employment Programs were introduced.

The number of accredited programs/services reaches more than 3,000 in the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Canada.

December

Alan H. Toppel retired after more than 20 years of service with CARF.

Alan died on April 22, 2013. His final crowning achievement was the idea, creation, and execution of Tucson’s “Welcome Home Veterans Parade” on March 31, 2012.

CARF published separate volumes of standards for its three divisions: Behavioral Health, Employment and Community Support, and Medical Rehabilitation.

30th Anniversary

CARF accredited its first program on the European continent.

CARF introduced the Standards for Opioid Treatment Programs Standards Manual.

CARF and the Workers’ Compensation Board in Alberta started a collaborative partnership. The partnerships’ pilot project addressed the quality and value of rehabilitation services delivered to injured workers in the province of Alberta.

Don Galvin, Ph.D.

During Don Galvin’s tenure as President/CEO, CARF expanded into areas not traditionally identified with rehabilitation, including Adult Day Services and Assisted Living; placed a strong emphasis on outcomes measurement and management; and contracted with major federal agencies, including the Veterans Health Administration (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) and the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA]), to provide accreditation services.

35th Anniversary

Standards for Employment and Community Services, Workforce Development Services, and One-Stop Career Centers were introduced.

There are more than 3,550 organizations with accredited programs/services at nearly 27,000 locations.</

CARF acquired the Continuing Care Accreditation Commission (CCAC). Founded in 1985, CCAC accredited aging services continuums, including continuing care retirement communities and other organizations. CCAC was founded by the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA, now known as LeadingAge) in Washington, D.C.

CARF published the Child and Youth Services Standards Manual.

CARF accredited it’s first program in South America in Argentina.

CARF began accrediting suppliers of certain Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS). This followed the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) approval of CARF as a national deeming authority for DMEPOS suppliers.

CARF launched its online customer portal, Customer Connect (customerconnect.carf.org).

CARF introduced ASPIRE to Excellence® quality framework for business practices. In this framework, CARF’s business practice standards provide a logical, action-oriented approach to ensure that organizational purpose, planning, and activity result in the desired outcomes. These standards are included in all CARF standards manuals.

CARF accredited its first programs in Oceania and the Middle East.

CARF accreditation was recognized by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.

CARF Europe was incorporated in London, England, United Kingdom.

CARF accredited its first programs on the African continent.

July: CARF headquarters office moved to 6951 E. Southpoint Road, Tucson, AZ.

45th Anniversary

CARF logos were rebranded to include the ASPIRE® to Excellence tagline.

There are more than 6,425 organizations with accredited programs/services at over 47,350 locations worldwide.

The CARF Canada office moved to 501-10154 104 Street NW

Brian J. Boon Ph.D.

Under Brian’s leadership as President/CEO, CARF has opened offices and established corporations in Canada and Europe; acquired an accreditor in a complementary human service field (CCAC), redesigned the CCAC accreditation process, and solidified a presence for CARF in the nation’s capital; expanded accreditation activities into more countries and new human service fields; downsized the governance board from 54 to 11 members and formed the international advisory council as a means for sponsoring associations to continue their support of CARF standards development; crafted a common set of Business Practices; evolved the survey checklist to an electronic format (eChecklist); developed and launched uSPEQ; negotiated insurance premium discounts for qualified CARF-accredited providers; migrated to a customer relationship management system; inaugurated a web-based training system for surveyors; and introduced the balance scorecard to monitor CARF’s growth and customer satisfaction.

September

CARF celebrated 50 years of enhancing lives and with nearly 7,000 organizations with accredited programs/services at more than 52,300 locations worldwide.

May

CCAC entity and accreditation process fully integrated into CARF. CCAC name as an entity is no longer in use.

CARF added suicide risk screening to the accreditation standards of Behavioral Health and Opioid Treatment Program.
In all 2019 standards manuals, CARF published significantly expanded technology guidelines, from portals and apps to firewall and malware protection, technology is increasingly vital to modern health and human services, and increased consumers’ access to it.
CARF developed standards for Office Based Opioid Treatment (OBOT) programs. The standards were published in the Behavioral Health Standards Manual.

April

Michael J. Connolly, D.O., joins CARF as its first Chief Medical Officer to provide medical leadership across all accreditation areas.

December

CARF designed standards for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) based on the SAMHSA criteria and began offering accreditation for CCBHCs.