Continuing Communications Newsletter, Volume 19, Issue 1
In this issue:
- CARF International is first to implement standards for Artificial Intelligence in health and human services accreditation
- CARF kicks off 60th Anniversary with April Continuing Education Conference
- Education and training opportunities
- Congratulations to Aging Services providers earning CARF accreditation
- Check out our Aging Services team’s schedule
- Resources
- Aging Services Resource Specialist consultations
CARF International is first to implement standards for Artificial Intelligence in health and human services accreditation
CARF is the first accreditor to implement accreditation standards for artificial or augmented intelligence (AI). Organizations that seek accreditation will demonstrate human oversight as the final decision-making authority in continuous monitoring and auditing of AI outputs. The AI standards include required written policies and procedures for the use of AI in relation to the delivery of a program/service.
Accountability measures incorporate regular training and education for team members using and performing oversight of AI tools and the establishment of a governance committee to assess vendor and data transparency.
“AI relies on data to function, and if data of persons served is used, there could be risk to privacy and data security,” said Terrence Carolan, Managing Director of Medical Rehabilitation and Aging Services, CARF International. “Having an AI standard that highlights disclosure to persons served is so impactful and consistent with CARF’s approach to accountability and transparency of accredited programs.” To learn more about CARF’s AI Standards, check out this recent news release.
CARF kicks off 60th Anniversary with April Continuing Education Conference
CARF International is celebrating 60 years of service this year. Founded on September 27, 1966, the organization began with only 4 employees, and a sole office in Chicago, Illinois. Since then, CARF has grown what started with 4 accredited providers to one of the world’s leading accrediting bodies for health and human services. Today, CARF International has a team of 130 employees, approximately 1,765 surveyors, 5 offices, and 9,600 service providers with more than 68,300 accredited programs and services at 31,900 locations worldwide.
What better way to kick off the anniversary celebration than to hold a special combined spring Surveyor Continuing Education conference in Phoenix, Arizona? Nearly 500 surveyors from 6 of CARF’s customer service units came together, representing 6 countries–United States, Canada, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, and Norway–for the event. Over 200 surveyors were recognized for their years of service, including many Aging Services surveyors. Special congratulations to Nora Adelmann (40 years), Carol Sherer (40 years), Barbara Thomas (35 years), and Garry Woessner (35 years). And a big thank you to all of CARF’s surveyors!
Conference attendees had the opportunity to review important changes to the standards and new programs, talk about AI, hone report writing skills, and hear updates from CARF and the field. After a rousing keynote from Pamela Barnum on communication strategies, CARF surveyors participated in a variety of concurrent education sessions that encouraged participation and discussion of standards application and interpretation.
Aging Services sessions included:
- Surveying Long-Term Care: The Canadian Landscape
Presented Penny Gagnon, MA, CARF Canada Chief Advisor; Karen Crichton, CARF Canada Accreditation Advisor, Medical Rehabilitation and Aging Services; Jennifer Hartwick, Director of Business Process Development, Schlegel Villages; Kathy Fortunat, Chief Executive Officer, Sherwood Care; Stephen Jackson, Territorial Director for Home, Community, and Continuing Care, Nunavut Department of Health; and Bhawan Brar, Regional Director of Quality, Optima Living - Quality in Assisted Living and Connecting Research, Outcomes and Practice
Presented by Sheryl Zimmerman, PhD, Executive Director, CEAL@UNC and Terrence Carolan, MSPT, MBA, CARF International Managing Director, Medical Rehabilitation and Aging Services
Visit CARF’s 60th anniversary webpage to read a special message from President/CEO Brian J. Boon, PhD and Board of Directors Chair Donald J. Dew, MSW, ACSW, and CARF staff and surveyors. An interactive timeline shows CARF’s important milestones and an anniversary guestbook is available for individuals to share their regards.
Education and training opportunities
CARF International offers a variety of virtual, in-person and on-demand training events and educational opportunities throughout the year.
Explore the training calendar for dates/times of events and subscribe to receive news of upcoming events and trainings.
Upcoming virtual and in-person trainings
Virtual and in-person learning opportunities are coming this fall. Sign-up to receive news of upcoming events and training notifications here.
AS 101: Achieving and Maintaining CARF Accreditation
This class is available in both virtual and in-person. CARF will add opportunities to the website as they become available. The class structure differs between the two.
Virtual 101 class
- Four session series (two hours per session)
In-person 101 class
- Offered in-person over two days
Similarities between the classes
- Provides a solid foundation for organizations preparing for CARF accreditation for Aging Services programs
- Recommended for organizations new to CARF, those new to the process, and those wishing to update on recent changes to standards
- Offers comprehensive review of the accreditation process, survey preparation tips, and practical examples of conformance to standards
Transforming Outcomes Data into Management Information Institute
This two-day institute guides participants through the steps to plan a program of outcomes management and quality improvement.
- Two-day, hands-on institute for administrators, data managers, directors of quality improvement, program managers, information management specialists, and direct service providers.
- Learn the foundations of outcome measurement, selection of appropriate measures, strategies for implementing a measurement program, data analysis techniques, and action planning.
- Receive guidance on planning and conducting a program of outcomes management and quality improvement.
On-demand eLearning opportunities
CARF’s on-demand eLearning provides you with access to a curated selection of best-practice webinars, select CARF-101 recordings, and eLearning courses on the CARF standards. Explore the catalogue here. Learn in your own space and at your own pace, with no travel costs. Create your own personalized account and get started today!
Congratulations to Aging Services providers earning CARF accreditation
The following providers achieved accreditation between December 2025 to June 2026.
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Check out our Aging Services team’s schedule
CARF International Aging Services team members are On the Road in 2026! Below are upcoming conferences and events we plan to attend. If you are also attending, please reach out and we hope to see you there!
National Adult Day Services Association (NADSA) (2026 NADSA National Conference)
National Conference (Providence, Rhode Island, USA)
September 1–3, 2026
Julia Meashey, Senior Business Development Specialist, exhibiting/attending
The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care (CV)
(https://theconsumervoice.org/2026-conference/)
Annual Conference (St. Louis, Missouri, USA)
September 28–October 1, 2026
Julia Meashey, Senior Business Development Specialist, exhibiting/attending
McGill International Palliative Care Congress (MIPCC)
(Congress | Palliative Care McGill – McGill University)
International Congress (Montreal, Quebec, Canada)
October 6–9, 2026
Penny Gagnon, Chief Advisor, exhibiting
Alberta Continuing Care Association (ACCA) (HOME | ACCA 2026 Annual Conference)
Annual Conference (Calgary, Alberta, Canada)
October 7–9, 2026
Karen Crichton, Accreditation Advisor, sponsoring and exhibiting
National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) Day (Event page)
Day-long education & networking event (Boston, Massachusetts, USA)
Sunday, October 11, 2026
Terry Carolan, Managing Director, Aging Services & Medical Rehab, and Julia Meashey, Senior Business Development Specialist, exhibiting
American Health Care Association (AHCA)/National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL)
(Registration page)
Delivering Solutions 26: Annual Convention & Expo (Boston, Massachusetts, USA)
October 11–14, 2026
Julia Meashey, Senior Business Development Specialist, exhibiting/attending
Ontario Community Support Association (OCSA) (Home & Community Care Conference)
Annual Conference (Markham, Ontario, Canada)
October 21–22, 2026
Karen Crichton, Accreditation Advisor, exhibiting
LeadingAge Annual Meeting (https://annualmeeting.leadingage.org/)
Celebrating the Change Makers: Annual Conference & Expo (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA)
October 25–28, 2026
Julia Meashey, Senior Business Development Specialist, exhibiting/attending
Home Care Ontario (Home Care Ontario Symposium)
Annual Symposium (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
November 2, 2026
Karen Crichton, Accreditation Advisor, exhibiting
Age-Well (AGE-WELL Annual Conference)
Annual Conference (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada)
November 2–4, 2026
Penny Gagnon, Chief Advisor, and Karen Crichton, Accreditation Advisor, exhibiting
Resources
Review this ‘Geriatrics Fast Facts’ online resource
The Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program and the Geriatric Education Centers have created “Geriatric Fast Facts,” an accessible online resource center featuring concise, clinically relevant educational briefs and podcasts on key geriatrics topics.
Geriatric Fast Facts offer evidence-based tools for clinicians, trainees, and interdisciplinary health care professionals caring for older adults. These practical summaries of key health care issues are co-authored by multi-specialty teams with ongoing guidance from geriatricians and are then peer-reviewed. An editorial board provides strategic direction that the editor operationalizes with key staff.
Resources are searchable and sortable by:
- Topic
- System
- Science
- Age-Friendly Health Systems’ 4Ms Framework (What Matters, Medication, Mentation and Mobility)
By including the 4Ms as a filter option, the website allows users to quickly identify relevant resources.
Funding support/sponsorship has been provided by the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation Next Steps Award, the Wisconsin Geriatric Education Center, the Medical College of Wisconsin and Aurora Health Care.
Learn more about Geriatric Fast Facts.
Learn more about the Age-Friendly Health Systems (AFHS) Initiative.
Person-Centred Language Leadership Implementation Guide is available
The Person-Centred Language (PCL) Leadership Implementation Guide was released in May 2026 and is a practical, easy-to-use resource that helps LTC leaders and PCL champions support their teams in embedding PCL in everyday practice. It helps teams assess where they are in their PCL journey, identify priority areas, and integrate PCL into recruitment, onboarding, education, and daily communication. It also provides a package of practical tools, templates, and resources to support implementation and sustain PCL as part of organizational culture over time.
The guide includes practical tools that can be easily adapted to the unique context of each LTC home, including:
- A PCL Organization Assessment tool to help teams identify priorities and opportunities for embedding PCL
- HR and recruitment tools, including sample job description language and interview questions that incorporate PCL values
- Orientation resources, including onboarding checklists and a sample Welcome Letter reflecting the home’s commitment to PCL
- Sample huddle questions and conversation prompts to support team reflection and discussion
- Sample survey questions to understand how PCL is being applied and supported across the home
- A “Word of the Month” template to reinforce PCL concepts, and
- Certificate templates to recognize and celebrate PCL champions
The Person-Centred Language initiative and resources were co-developed by Behavioural Supports Ontario and the Ontario CLRI with support from an expert panel.
Learn more and access the guide at Person-Centred Language Leadership Implementation Guide – Ontario Centres for Learning, Research, and Innovation in Long-Term Care.
Aging Services Resource Specialist consultations
Need assistance with CARF standard interpretation?
Have questions about the accreditation process?
New to CARF accreditation?
Your resource specialist can assist you with standards interpretation, guide you through all steps of the accreditation process, provide coaching for first-time and resurvey preparation, and answer questions throughout the accreditation term. CARF encourages organizations to contact their resource specialist early in the process.
If you have suggestions for content to be included in a future issue of Continuing Communication, please email CARF Aging Services at AS@carf.org.
Please include the carf.org domain on your safe-senders list to ensure that Continuing Communication and other important emails from CARF Aging Services are not blocked by spam filters.
If a lender is interested in the systems you use to manage risk in your organization, support management competencies, measure outcomes, and foster sound business practices, please direct the lender to this section of the website. The webpage includes language geared toward educating lenders about accreditation for your organization. Lenders may also download the CARF Financial Planning and Management Standards.