International Accreditation

Fredericksburg, Virginia–The Rappahannock Area Community Services Board is pleased to announce it has received another Three-Year Accreditation from CARF International. RACSB invited CARF surveyors to evaluate how well RACSB behavioral health services meet international standards for quality.

This accreditation is through November 2019. RACSB has now received eight consecutive three-year accreditations.

“RACSB seeks this accreditation voluntarily as part of efforts to provide the best possible services to the community,” Executive Director Ron Branscome said. “I see the accreditation process as an opportunity to challenge our staff to continually strive for excellence. I am proud of this accomplishment—and of the dedicated RACSB employees who help individuals with behavioral health challenges.”

This accreditation decision represents the highest level of accreditation that can be awarded to an organization and is awarded after a rigorous peer review process. In late October, surveyors spent three days touring RACSB facilities; poring over policy and procedure manuals; and interviewing RACSB staff, board members, community partners and clients.

CARF has accredited RACSB for the following programs:

• Case Management/Service Coordination: Integrated: Alcohol and Other Drugs/Mental Health (Adults)
• Case Management/Service Coordination: Integrated: Alcohol and Other Drugs/Mental Health (Children and Adolescents) 
• Community Housing: Mental Health (Adults)
• Community Integration: Psychosocial Rehabilitation  (Adults)
• Crisis Stabilization: Integrated: Alcohol and Other Drugs/Mental Health (Adults)
• Court Treatment: Integrated: Alcohol and Other Drugs/Mental Health (Adults)
• Court Treatment: Integrated: Alcohol and Other Drugs/Mental Health (Children and Adolescents)
• Outpatient Treatment: Integrated:  Alcohol and Other Drugs/Mental Health (Adults )
• Outpatient Treatment: Integrated: Alcohol and Other Drugs/Mental Health (Children and Adolescents)

CARF-accredited programs reflect practices that are based on standards of quality and accountability to ensure the highest industry standards possible. Using the standards as a foundation for business and service delivery practices, an organization can greatly reduce the common risks involved in providing rehabilitation and human services. Because CARF accreditation is designed to demonstrate a provider’s conformance to nationally and internationally accepted standards, accreditation could reduce governmental monitoring, streamline regulation processes and assist payers in determining a provider’s conformance to outcomes and performance standards.

CARF is an independent, nonprofit accrediting body aiming to promote quality, value and outcomes of behavioral health services through a consultative accreditation process that centers on enhancing the lives of the persons served. Founded in 1966, CARF, has established consumer-focused standards to help organizations measure and improve programs and services. To learn more about CARF, visit www.carf.org.

For additional information, contact Jane Yaun, RACSB Deputy Executive Director, at 540/940-2308 or jyaun@rappahannockareacsb.org

Founded in 1970, the Rappahannock Area Community Services Board (RACSB) provides public mental health, developmental disability, substance abuse, and prevention/early intervention services to the residents of the City of Fredericksburg and the counties of Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania, and Stafford. RACSB operates five outpatient clinics which provide individual, group and family therapy; specialized counseling and case management services; psychological assessment; 24-hour crisis intervention; and medication management services. RACSB operates 12 group homes, three intermediate care facilities and the Myers Drive Respite Group Home for adults with intellectual disability providing 24-hour intensive and structured support. RACSB also offers mental health day support, residential services, and crisis stabilization at The Sunshine Lady House for Mental Health Wellness & Recovery. The Parent-Education – Infant Development Program provides developmental, physical, occupational, and speech therapies as well as service coordination to infants and toddlers with developmental delays. Programs of RACSB include Kenmore Club, Rappahannock Adult Activities, Inc., Project LINK, Program for Teen Parents, Rappahannock Area Kids on the Block, DARE to Be You – Rappahannock Area, Second Step, Too Good for Drugs, Healthy Families – Rappahannock Area, and Mental Health First Aid Trainings (Adult and Youth). To learn more, visit www.rappahannockareacsb.org.