CARF Accreditation

CARF Recognizes Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana's Quality Programs

Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana has been granted a three-year accreditation by CARF International, an international nonprofit accreditor for health and human services. This is the FIFTH consecutive three-year award Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana has received.

During the three day survey, the three-person team of surveyors reviewed 950 standards to evaluate the organization’s conformance in eleven separate programs. We were in complete compliance with 97% of these standards. The surveyors reviewed agency documentation, consumer records, interviewed stakeholders; such as persons served, families, staff, funders, partnering agencies and board members.

WHAT DOES ACCREDITATION PROCESS MEAN?

The accreditation process applies sets of standards to service areas and business practices during an on-site survey. Accreditation, however, is an ongoing process, signaling to the public that a service provider is committed to continuously improving services, encouraging feedback, and serving the community. Accreditation also demonstrates a provider's commitment to enhance its performance, manage its risk, and distinguish its service delivery.

Why did we want to be accredited?

In January, 1998, the Board of Directors and staff made a commitment to pursue this accreditation as part of our mission to reach and uplift all persons, and measure our success in positive change in the lives of those we serve. A grant from the Volunteers of America Endowment Fund helped us with the process. The decision to seek accreditation also sprang from our desire to provide the best services that we possibly can to our consumers. CARF accreditation is a “seal of approval” that tells others they can rely on us to do not only an effective job but a superior job.