For more than a year, ɫ��ɫ’s programs and Quality Team have been hard at work preparing for a comprehensive survey by , an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the quality of health and human services at hospitals and rehabilitation facilities worldwide. After an unprecedented year of managing and delivering services during a global pandemic, we are excited to announce that CARF awarded ɫ��ɫ another three-year accreditation status for the 114 programs surveyed across all regions!

This is a wonderful recognition of ɫ��ɫ’s quality of services, compassionate staff, and organizational values that programs deliver to the communities we serve. We are proud of each and every one of our staff members for their tremendous work during this time, going above and beyond to ensure the safety and wellbeing of their coworkers and persons served.

This year, CARF released a detailed report on organizational strengths and opportunities for improvement, recognizing ɫ��ɫ’s dedication of staff, person-centered care, data-driven response to COVID-19, and the supportive environment created for staff and persons served to thrive. Below are a few findings from the 2021 CARF Accreditation Report for ɫ��ɫ.

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Staff at bring fun to their unit.

Dedication of Staff:

“The enthusiasm and dedication of the ɫ��ɫ employees shine through in all they do. There is an abundance of joy in helping and seeing persons served to succeed. This is recognized by persons served, who commented about ‘ɫ��ɫ being a godsend.’ Persons served also stated, ‘They enjoy what they do,’ ‘They push you to tackle the world and believe that you can," and ‘They are a special breed.’"

“ɫ��ɫ, from the direct care staff to administration, truly leaves no stone unturned in order to provide excellent service to the persons served.”

Person-Centered Care:

“Every component of the organization's medications process is thoughtful and contributes to the success of the client … Along with a peer review of medication use, the medical director consults with providers regarding medications. All this work pays off as one client states, ‘I am so grateful for this place. They straightened out my diagnosis and got me on the right meds. Now, I feel ready to go out there and be with my family.’”

“…the organization has expanded its scope beyond just mental health recovery to a focus on whole-person care, helping people achieve greater mental and physical health and quality of life. This is evidenced throughout the clinics with the Recovery Centered Clinical System wall that is available to all staff members and program members.”

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Staff at Los Angeles older adults sew masks during the height of the nation-wide ppe shortage.

Response to COVID-19:

“ɫ��ɫ has exhibited a major strength with its response to the COVID-19 pandemic … The real-time information and planning allow the organization to respond to needs and adverse events appropriately and swiftly … ɫ��ɫ's COVID-19 response has been recognized as a model approach by funders, county governments, customers, and its competitors.”

“Staff members have adjusted well to the changes needed to protect themselves and the persons served from COVID-19. This is seen in ways they use and make available to the persons served personal protective equipment and continue their outreach by phone or in person as needed, including the prescribers' willingness to go into the community to meet clients in need of services.”

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days after the world health organiation declared coronavirus a global pandemic, a music therapist at morton bakar center spread messages of hope around the campus.

Supportive Environment:

“Many staff members reported that they feel supported by their colleagues, supervisors, and senior leadership team. They have created many team-building exercises and an ‘appreciation flower’ staff recognition activity with the goal of supporting morale and health and wellness.”

“Staff members support each other through the display of success stories, colorful murals, artwork, a wall of thanks, and appreciation trees that encourage the positive, person-centered culture of the organization and recognize all the great things happening at the organization's sites.”