CARF International recently awarded Buckner foster care, adoption and kinship care programs a three-year accreditation. Our foster care, adoption and kinship care programs in Texas focus on ministering to children and families – protecting and empowering children to achieve their goals and flourish in life.
 
Over the course of our history, Buckner has always sought to serve children and families first, while striving to set the example and lead in the industry.
 
Receiving the three-year accreditation from CARF is a marker that our programs meet standards of quality necessary to serve, as well as show Buckner’s commitment to continual improvement and excellence.

What is CARF?

Founded in 1966 as the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, now known as CARF International, they promote the quality, value and optimal outcomes of services through an accreditation process. The CARF accreditation represents a commitment to continuous improvement and service and provides recognition that the organization’s practices meet international standards of quality. 
 
For Buckner and other organizations seeking accreditation, these standards of quality include assessing leadership and spheres of influence, evaluating competencies and articulating a high-level plan to advance the organization’s purpose. CARF also assesses the goals, implementation and results of the strategy for the organization. 
 
The process may involve a year or more of preparation before the review begins and requires ongoing improvement efforts afterward. Achieving accreditation shows donors, clients, government officials and the community we are committed to continuously improving our services and managing risks. 
 
CARF-accredited providers, on average, see an increase in improvements with many seeing an increase in people served annually. According to CARF International, organizations who have participated in a CARF accreditation survey demonstrate:

• a higher degree of internal quality.
• greater involvement of persons served in their services.
• increased cohesion among staff members at all levels within the organization.
• enhanced status of the accredited programs/services within the community.

“This is the first accreditation that the accrediting body, CARF International, has awarded to Buckner,” shared Henry Jackson, president of Buckner Children and Family Services. “By pursuing and achieving accreditation, Buckner domestic foster care, adoption and kinship care programs have demonstrated they meet international standards of quality and are committed to continual excellence. This accreditation decision represents the highest level of accreditation that can be given to an organization and shows our substantial conformance to the CARF standards.”
 
“An organization receiving a three-year accreditation has gone through a rigorous peer-review process. We demonstrated our commitment to offering programs and services that are measurable, accountable and of the highest quality to a team of surveyors during an on-site visit.”

What does CARF mean to children and families Buckner serves?

The CARF accreditation shows families we are committed to reducing risk, addressing health and safety concerns, respecting cultural and individual preferences and providing the best possible quality of care. Buckner continues to stay accountable to the communities we serve while valuing their input too.
 
“It reinforces our commitment to put our families' needs at the center of everything we do,” Jackson said. “I am extremely proud of all our team members with our foster care, adoption and kinship programs for their dedication to service.”

Learn more about Buckner Foster Care and Adoption.