CCAC and CARF merge, strengthen programs. (Front Page).

A recent merger between the Continuing Care Accreditation Commission (CCAC) and the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) will allow the agencies to provide "seamless accreditation" for the broad spectrum of care providers--from children's services to those for older adults, according to both groups.

The combined agency -- CARF-CCAC -- is based in Washington, D.C.

CARF and CCAC set standards and offer a means for the public to identify excellence. Accreditation is also a strong marketing point for long term care facilities.

"The accreditation programs of both organizations are stronger as a result of the merger," said Ann Gillespie, former executive director of CCAC and current senior vice president for organizational excellence at American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging in Washington, D.C. "CCAC will benefit from CARF's wide-ranging accreditation experience internationally. CARF will benefit from CCAC's extensive experience in the aging services field."

CCAC, based in Washington D.C. and founded in 1 985, is the nation's only accrediting group for aging services continuums, including continuing care retirement communities and similar organizations. Prior to its acquisition by CARF, it operated as a division of the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, according to AAHSA spokesman Bruce Rosenthal.

CARF, founded in 1966 and based in Tucson, Ariz, provides accreditation to more than 3,800 organizations in the U.S., Canada and Western Europe in the areas of adult day services, assisted living, behavioral health, employment and community services and medical rehabilitation.

Rosenthal said the joining of CCAC and CARF made sense. "[We are] completely supportive of this merger," he said. "CCAC was founded by our association and grew significantly. This was the logical next step for growth."