The ARC and the NASWHP (which later merged into the National Association of Rehabilitation Facilities) incorporated the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities in the state of Illinois as a nonprofit organization with nine directors.

The first four accreditation awards were presented

Texas Institute for Rehabilitation and Research, Houston, Texas
EPI-HAB, Los Angeles, California
Vocational Guidance and Rehabilitation Service, Cleveland, Ohio
Fountain House, New York, New York

5th Anniversary

Fifth anniversary of CARF; transitioned from staffed to contracted surveyors into a peer-review, consultative accreditation system. The number of accredited programs reached 1,000.                                                                 

Soon after its founding, CARF International partnered with Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals, which provided staff, facilities, and operational support while CARF reimbursed costs. As CARF became self-sustaining, the agreement ended amicably in 1971.

After serving two years as Program Director, Alan Toppel became the Executive Director. Under Alan’s leadership, CARF extended beyond its original medical and vocational rehabilitation market to include programs serving persons with developmental disabilities, treating substance abuse, and providing mental health services; and strove to unite professionals, consumers, funding sources, and governmental leaders in focusing on quality services for persons with disabilities.

CARF published a new section of the standards manual for Rehabilitation Facilities, specifically identifying program evaluation standards. These standards became a springboard for extensive future activities by CARF in program evaluation and outcomes.

After meeting with Caspar W. Weinberger, then Secretary of U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, he praised CARF International for developing a practical system to incorporate evaluation standards into accreditation.

That same year, Goodwill Industries International recognized CARF as the accrediting body for all Goodwill organizations.

CARF introduced a new category of rehabilitation program emphasis: Work Activity Programs.

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

The Council of Rehabilitation Education included the requirement that facilities providing clinical experiences for graduate students in Rehabilitation Counseling be CARF accredited.

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

September
The International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions adopted a resolution that recognized the need of CARF accreditation for rehabilitation facilities serving employees with occupational disabilities.

A six-inch engraved brass bell, brought to CARF International by Associate Director Jack L. Nichols, became part of CARF lore, rung in the office each time a survey application arrived. Nichols later continued serving CARF as a surveyor for Employment and Community Services until March 2016.

15th Anniversary

President Ronald Reagan wrote on the occasion of CARF’s fifteenth anniversary stating, “The Commission’s efforts serve as a national example of the potential of the private sector in meeting public needs”.

Standards for Spinal Cord Injury Programs and Chronic Pain Management Programs were introduced.

20th Anniversary

Standards for Respite Programs and Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Treatment Programs were introduced. President Ronald Reagan wrote for the twentieth anniversary, “The Commission has established a tradition of excellence in monitoring agencies and organizations nationwide which serve people with physical and developmental disabilities”.

25th Anniversary

On 25th anniversary of CARF International, George H. W. Bush congratulated CARF International for helping open doors of opportunity for Americans with disabilities by promoting excellence in rehabilitation services.

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

Alan H. Toppel

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

CARF International reorganized its structure around three fields, Vocational and Employment/Developmental Disabilities, Medical Rehabilitation, and Alcohol and Other Drugs/Mental Health, and convened National Leadership Panels to help address emerging issues and trends affecting services for people with disabilities.

CARF contracted with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to accredit all of its rehabilitation programs over a five-year period.

CARF was awarded a contract by the Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for the development and implementation of Opioid Treatment Program accreditation.

CARF published standards manuals for Adult Day Services programs and Veterans Health Administration Comprehensive Blind Rehabilitation Services.

CARF began accrediting networks in Behavioral Health, and Employment and Community Services fields through its Network Administration standards.

CARF Canada is incorporated in Edmonton, Alberta.

CARF introduced a new accreditation model in publishing the ASPIRE to Excellence® Standards Manual.

40th Anniversary

CARF published the Aging Services Standards Manual for providers with Continuing Care Retirement Communities, Aging Services Networks, Adult Day Services, Assisted Living, or Stroke Specialty Programs.

There are nearly 5,000 organizations with accredited programs/services at 38,325 locations in more than 10 countries.

CARF International established the International Advisory Council to provide guidance on standards development and input on issues affecting the health and human services fields CARF accredits.

Standards for Dementia Care were published.

uSPEQ® launched

uSPEQ is a turnkey data collection and reporting system from CARF International that gathers feedback from key stakeholders to support organizational well-being and performance improvement, including surveys on consumer experience and employee climate.

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

CARF accredited its first program on the Asian continent.

CARF accreditation was recognized by the Alberta Ministry of Health and Wellness.

CARF introduced Medically Complex Population Designation standards for Behavioral Health and Child and Youth Services accreditation areas. Child and Youth Services also introduced Adoption standards.

CARF Canada opened office space in Toronto, Ontario.

CARF introduced standards for accreditation of Student Counseling, Independent Evaluation Services, and Supported Education, as well as Case Management.

New standards for Health Home Services went into effect in the Behavioral Health accreditation area.

Alan Toppel passed away 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 introduced standards for Eating Disorder Treatment programs in the Behavioral Health accreditation area.

CARF Europe opened office space in London, England, United Kingdom.

50th Anniversary

There are nearly 7,000 organizations with accredited programs/services at more than 52,300 locations worldwide.

CARF celebrated 50 years of enhancing lives and services for the persons served.

January

CARF published the CARF Standards Manual Supplement for Networks and the CARF Standards Manual Supplement for Employment Services Centres in Canada.

The CARF–CCAC Standards Manual was renamed the Continuing Care Retirement Community Standards Manual.

Nearly 7,000 organizations with accredited programs/services at more than 52,300 locations worldwide.

U.S. President Barack Obama sent a letter congratulating CARF International on its 50^th anniversary.

CARF partnered with the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) and began offering ASAM Levels of Care certification of residential substance use disorder treatment services.

CARF published standards for Concussion Rehabilitation Programs—the first interdisciplinary, field-driven standards for concussion management.

CARF International developed new interdisciplinary, person-centered standards for shelter programs addressing rising homelessness, and for palliative and end-of-life care to support individuals and families facing life-limiting conditions.

CARF International released new standards for disorders of consciousness, sobering centers, and integrating primary care into mental health or substance use disorder programs, promoting timely rehabilitation, safe stabilization for acute intoxication, and more holistic, person-centered care.