Message from CARF CEO regarding coronavirus
The safety and well-being of all persons is CARF’s foremost priority. CARF has postponed all surveys with start dates of March 16 through May 31, 2020. We continue to schedule future site surveys, subject to limitations imposed by COVID-19.
CARF recognizes that organizations are challenged to continue delivery of quality health and human services while remaining solvent and maintaining compliance with legal, regulatory, and contractual obligations. Organizations that implement the CARF standards are well positioned to support and protect their stakeholders and enhance the lives of persons served. However, the future course and effects of the pandemic are unknown, and it is uncertain when close, in-person interactions can resume safely.
For these reasons, CARF developed the Digitally Enabled Site Survey program (DESS) for implementation starting with accreditation surveys in June 2020. Although CARF intends for this program to be time limited, it will remain in effect (in full or in part) until the environment returns to conditions deemed safe for the traditional on-site survey approach. Most CARF accreditation surveys are eligible to participate in DESS; however, exclusions may apply. If your organization has an eligible upcoming survey, CARF will provide the survey key contact with information about DESS.
While implementing new accreditation service offerings, we wish to remind our customers that some of CARF's processes are automated to maintain regular communication and support adherence to the accreditation timeline. We understand that organizations may face extenuating circumstances and are committed to ensuring support of accredited programs and programs seeking accreditation. Please contact your organization's assigned resource specialist to assist with any necessary adjustments to accreditation timeframes or any other support your organization may need.
CARF continues to monitor and assess the evolving situation and appropriately respond based on guidance issued by public health authorities. We will communicate updates on this webpage if there are additional changes to CARF’s activities.
We hope you, your staff, and the persons you serve are safe and well. We commend our accredited programs for their courageous work and doing their very best to ensure continued quality services to the persons served and their communities.
Regards,
Brian J. Boon, Ph.D.
President/CEO
For updated information about upcoming in-person CARF trainings, please visit the
Events page.
For more coronavirus information, please visit:
Community resources and
information from our partners:
(The following links will open in a new browser tab.)
The CDC has published articles on
Supporting Those Needing Extra Precautions, including persons with disabilities.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services COVID-19 Partner Toolkit
Department of Veterans Affairs: Coronavirus FAQs, What Veterans Need to Know
Institute for Patient- and Family-Centered Care COVID-19 FAQs
National Association for Healthcare Quality COVID-19 Resource Center
Aging Services
Alzheimer's Association on Emergency Preparedness: Caring for persons with dementia in a long-term or community-based care setting
Argentum Coronavirus Preparation and Response Toolkit
LeadingAge Coronavirus Resources
National Adult Day Services Association Important Information on COVID-19
Medical Rehabilitation
ACRM Coronavirus Resources
American Academy of Neurology COVID-19 Resource Center
American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: Physiatrist Member Support and Resource Center
American Hospital Association Updates and Resources on Novel Coronavirus
AMRPA COVID-19 Resource Center
Association of Rehabilitation Nurses COVID-19 Resources for Rehabilitation Professionals
Medical Rehabilitation in Pandemics: Towards a New Perspective
Accepted paper in the Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine about the unprecedented challenges the rehabilitation community faces during this pandemic due to increased demand for rehabilitative care to COVID-19 patients during their recovery phase.
Behavioral Health
Action Alliance National Response to COVID-19
American Psychiatric Association Coronavirus Resources
American Psychological Association Pandemics
Case Management Society of America COVID-19 Resources
National Association of Social Workers COVID-19 Resources
National Council for Behavioral Healthcare Resources and Tools for Addressing Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Child and Youth Services
CWLA Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information, News, & Resources for Child Welfare Professionals and Others
Last updated: July 2, 2020