The CARF family of organizations currently accredits more than 5,500 providers at more than 19,000 locations on five continents. More than 7.2 million persons of all ages are served annually by CARF-accredited providers.
As part of the accrediation process, CARF issues a final Survey Report to each accredited organization. VocWorks received a number of positive comments regarding our demonstrated strengths, including:
- VocWorks is focused on its mission and committed to providing the highest quality services to persons served. The organization has an excellent reputation with persons served, employers and referral sources.
- VocWorks has made it a priority to hire the most qualified and professional staff members to provide services and it has very low staff turnover. The organization’s unique labor force is located all over the state of Ohio and all fronting staff members and managers work out of their homes. These qualified and professional staff members have developed networks of satisfied individuals, paving the way for continued growth and expansion.
- VocWorks offers a team-oriented environment that inspires open communication, inspires dedication to the mission and attracts other highly experienced and talented professionals. There is a focus on quality assurance evidenced by the development of long-term customers who highly rate the services received.
- The organization’s attention to accessibility is demonstrated by offering persons served appointments in their own geographical areas and in generic locations such as libraries and restaurants, which also reduces any potential of a stigma they might feel in receiving assistance.
- An overwhelming response of positive feedback from all levels of customers attests to the attention given by all personnel to make VocWorks a world-class vocational service provider as stated in its mission.
- VocWorks uses a variety of strategies to assist individuals in seeking meaningful employment, including job-seeking skills training, volunteer opportunities and community-based work assessments.
CARF further recognized the effort VocWorks’ CEO, executive and management teams and staff members made in pursuit of this accreditation. CARF encouraged VocWorks to use their resources to address the recommendations in this report and to continue to use the CARF standards as guidelines for continuous quality improvement.
Answering Your Questions About CARF International
What is Our Mission?
To promote the quality, value and optimal outcomes of services through a consultative accreditation process that centers on enhancing the lives of persons served.
What is the Role of the Persons Served?
Persons served are the moral owners of CARF. We affirm that all our products and services are focused on creating a positive impact in the lives of persons who receive services from CARF-accredited providers. Persons served are central to CARF's mission and vision. CARF's core values further specify that:
- All people have the right to be treated with dignity and respect.
- All people should have access to needed services that achieve optimal outcomes.
- All people should be empowered to exercise informed choice.
Who are Our Surveyors?
Surveyors are peers in the field employed by organizations that have CARF accreditation and who have expertise in the types of programs and services accredited by the CARF family of organizations. Our goal is to recruit and train the most highly qualified professionals to conduct surveys. As a result, the surveyors who come to your organization during an on-site survey are among the industry's most knowledgeable and respected experts in the field of human services.
What is a CARF Survey?
As a step toward accreditation, a provider invites CARF to send a team of surveyors to visit its site and evaluate its services for quality. The surveyors consult with leadership and staff members, and interview people who use the provider's services. Based on the surveyors' review, the provider may be awarded accreditation for a term of one or three years, or for CARF-CCAC accreditation, a term of up to five years. In some cases, the provider may need to improve its services before it can become accredited.
What Distinguishes Our Accreditation Survey?
We believe that accreditation is a partnership with the service provider. The survey is consultative rather than inspective. The survey team recommends improvements to services. We allow you to seek accreditation with the program standards that match your needs - including the option to blend from different standards manuals to accurately reflect your agency's multi-faceted services.
What Distinguishes an Accredited Organization?
Organizations that have achieved accreditation demonstrate:
- Greater involvement of persons served in their services.
- Increased cohesion among staff members at all levels within the organization.
- Enhanced status of the surveyed services within the community.
When your organization is accredited, the public is assured that you are committed to continually improving the quality of your services and your organization's focus is on service outcomes and customer feedback and satisfaction. Ninety percent of CARF's customers report accreditation helps improve their business.
How are the Standards Developed?
We convene our International Advisory Council; advisory committees; and regional, national, and international focus groups each year to review and revise standards and develop standards for new accreditation opportunities. The standards development process provides opportunities for persons served, organizations, surveyors, national professional groups, advocacy groups, third-party purchasers and other stakeholders to be actively involved in developing standards.
What are the Elements of Accreditation?
On-Site Survey
The survey process is rooted in peer review, networking and improvement of business practices and organizational quality. The on-site survey team of professional peers provides an impartial, external review of your organization's conformance to the accreditation standards and can provide confirmation of what you are doing well. The survey team members also offer consultation for ongoing quality improvement.
Survey Report
After the survey, CARF prepares a report highlighting your organization's strengths and areas for improvement, based on your organization's level of conformance to the standards.
Term of Accreditation
The accreditation award is based on your organization's demonstration of its conformance to the standards. The CARF accreditation term may be for one or three years.
Quality Improvement Plan
The quality improvement plan is a key part of the accreditation process. Equipped with the survey report information, your organization prepares a quality improvement plan to address the areas for improvement during the term of the accreditation. CARF reviews the plan for completeness and is available to assist you to develop the plan.
Annual Reporting
An accredited provider participates in an annual review of its practices. The leadership of your organization sends a signed commitment to us stating that it is using our standards to guide the organization. Accreditation is a commitment to continuous quality improvement.
Publications
The CARF family of organizations publishes standards manuals that correspond to the fields served by the areas eligible for accreditation. Individuals in those fields develop the standards with the input of persons served, professionals, purchasers, providers of services and other interested parties. The standards manuals are updated annually or as necessary to ensure that they reflect current, practical and relevant standards for quality. CARF also offers many other publications to help your organization's efforts in providing programs and services focused on quality.
Consultation
The CARF family of organizations assists your organization in improving the quality of its services, demonstrating value and meeting internationally recognized organization and program standards. Surveyors are peers in the field who have experience in the programs and services that CARF accredits and who typically have a direct link to organizations that have achieved accreditation. Surveyors receive extensive training and are matched to organizations they survey based on the organization's characteristics and program types. In addition, consultation with staff members is personalized and prompt. They will be glad to answer your questions about interpreting and implementing standards.
For even more information about the accreditation process, please visit the CARF website at www.carf.org.