The Barry Robinson Center (BRC) has earned a three-year accreditation from CARF International for its residential treatment, counseling/outpatient, intensive in-home services, intensive outpatient treatment, and treatment foster care programs. This is BRC’s first accreditation from CARF.
CARF is an independent, nonprofit accrediting body that establishes consumer-focused standards to help organizations measure and improve the quality of their programs and services.
This represents the highest level of accreditation and shows BRC’s substantial conformance to CARF standards. An organization receiving a three-year accreditation has put itself through a rigorous peer review process. It has demonstrated to a team of surveyors during an on-site visit its commitment to offering programs and services that are measurable, accountable, and of the highest quality.
Rob McCartney, BRC’s CEO, explained the lengthy process that resulted in CARF accreditation.
In 2017, BRC conducted a strategic planning review of its operations and administrative systems. This review lead to a decision to change its existing accrediting agency to one that more closely aligned with BRC’s cultural and philosophical beliefs as well as supported its mission to improve the lives of children and families.
He said BRC selected CARF because its standards replicated and enhanced BRC’s goals and objectives.
“Leaving The Joint Commission after over 25 years of membership was not an easy decision. We had a phenomenal survey from them in 2017,” McCartney said. “But with TRICARE expanding their accreditation organization, we had an opportunity to explore different options. We did an extensive review of the different alternatives and assessed that CARF was the accrediting body we wanted to partner with. Their focuses on accountability, collaboration and education were the best fit for our current and future needs.”
Another reason for choosing CARF is its flexibility that allows an organization to decide which programs to accredit. This permits an organization to shape its programs to fit community needs. Accommodating community needs is important to BRC, and flexibility is necessary to meet that goal.
“In November 2019, we went through our first CARF accrediting survey. The survey team spent three days on campus doing an extensive review of all our clinical and operational systems. They met with our residents, their families, our staff and several of our board members,” McCartney said. “The survey team shared how impressed they were with our clinical programs and the engagement and openness of our team members.”
McCartney said he was not surprised to receive the three-year accreditation.
“We have a great team of dedicated individuals, and we provide great care. We’re proud to hold his accreditation, and we look forward to many years of partnership with CARF.”
CARF accreditation brings important highlights to BRC. CARF is known internationally. Its surveyors are employees of the same type of programs that BRC operates. Also, CARF’s aspirations to excellence are familiar to businesses that assist BRC with its corporate needs.
Children and families will find CARF standards enhance BRC’s ability to provide services, supporting their treatment in a positive way.
For more information about the accreditation process, visit the CARF website.