Adanta and CARF -
Accreditation and Quality Care
Since 1967 , The Adanta Group has been operating as a 501c3 not-forprofit Community Mental Health Center ( CMHC ), providing services for the ten counties within the Lake Cumberland region . The agency ’ s mission is to “ enhance lives by promoting recovery and wellness through person-centered care ”. Adanta provides services for all populations across the life span from pregnancy , birth , children , adolescents , adults , and older adults . Agency services include mental health , substance use , and intellectual and developmental disability ( I / DD ) needs for individuals within Adair , Barren , Casey , Clinton , Cumberland , Green , McCreary , Pulaski , Russell , Taylor , and Wayne Counties . The Importance of Accreditation . Over the years , the models of care around mental health and substance use have changed and the programs and services provided by the organization have expanded ; however , one thing that has remained constant is Adanta ’ s focus on seeking accreditation to improve the quality of the agency ’ s services . Accreditation has been a key requirement for CMHCs , signaling that the agencies that meet accreditation are providing services in accordance with rigorous international standards set by independent organizations within the specific professions or industries being surveyed . CARF and Joint Commission are the largest accrediting entities in the United States . CARF is an international nonprofit organization and the largest accrediting organization within the U . S . Established in 1966 , CARF has since provided its nearly 8,500 members with 65,000 accredited programs and services across
30,000 locations worldwide . Each year , over 15 million people are served by CARF accredited service providers , including behavioral health centers , medical rehabilitation clinics , addiction rehabilitation centers , and child / youth services . On the other hand , The Joint Commission is the second largest organization for addiction rehabilitation centers and the largest for medical facilities and hospitals . Formerly known as JCAHO , the Joint Commission is responsible for accrediting over 20,000 healthcare providers and programs , including mental health treatment facilities , hospitals , nursing facilities and physician practices .
The Adanta Group has been a CARF accredited organization for 15 years . Originally , the agency was accredited by Joint Commission for many years ; however , in 2011 it transitioned to the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities ( CARF ) for Behavioral Health Services . CARF Surveys . CARF accreditation is motivation for continuous quality improvement with CARF surveyors who use a consultative , rather than inspective approach . CARF helps providers in improving services by applying sets of quality standards during a consultative on-site survey . They bring with them not only their own wisdom , but also the experience of similar organizations to promote quality services to our clients .
Adanta ’ s CARF survey included tours of all outpatient clinics , visits to schools where we provide services to children and adolescents , interviews with our staff , clients and community partners and a review of our records . Adanta and CARF equally focus on a data driven approach , ensuring access to services and satisfaction of our clients and communities . During the survey , Adanta leadership and program directors receive consultative feedback , including sharing suggestions as to how other organizations may address an issue , as well as a review of the strengths of the organization and lastly areas in need of improvement to ensure our clients receive the utmost care possible . How Adanta Ranks . In April 2023 , Adanta participated in its 5th accreditation survey . A team of three surveyors from across the U . S . and British Columbia spent three busy and interactive days covering Adanta ’ s entire service region ( including Barren County ), reviewing mental health , substance use programs as well as the agency ’ s adult crisis stabilization unit . Adanta was reviewed on over 1,500 CARF standards ; recommendations were made to the agency on only eight standards , meaning that the agency will need to revise policies or procedures to address the recommendations . As a result of the survey findings , Adanta received CARF accreditation for a period
42 • SEKY - Life in Southeast Kentucky august 2023