At Community Alliance, high-quality, community-focused behavioral health services are the core of our work. We ensure our services are in line with the latest best practices by routinely undergoing an accreditation review process. We work with CARF International, an independent, nonprofit health and human services accreditor.
For people seeking behavioral health services, choosing a CARF-accredited provider means support is tailored to their unique needs, preferences and goals. Individuals and their families can feel confident that our organization is dedicated to excellence, transparency and ongoing care enhancement in an environment that prioritizes dignity and respect.
During Community Alliance’s 2026 CARF accreditation review, surveyors shared, “Community Alliance touches the lives of those they serve in ways that words can hardly express, while upholding the dignity of each person and creating a sense of belonging felt across programs. The ease of access to quality care is amazing. It’s evident that the community trusts that they can walk through the door of Community Alliance and get the help that is needed.”
A culture founded on best practices
Before the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services mandated behavioral health accreditation, Community Alliance was one of our state’s first voluntary adopters. Each time CARF has visited to review our services, we have consistently received a three-year accreditation — the highest level possible.
“We were the first organization in the state to have community-based services,” said Aileen Brady, Community Alliance’s CEO. “We wanted to prove ourselves, not only to referral sources, but to the people we were serving and their families. Accreditation was an opportunity to show others the quality of our services.”
Quality improvement never stops
CARF surveyors perform on-site visits every three years to renew our accreditation. But our work to align with their latest standards doesn’t wait.
Each year, Community Alliance receives an updated, comprehensive standards manual from CARF. After close review, we identify updates relevant to our programs, then make those adjustments within the year. For our new programs, we don’t start from scratch. Rather, we look to that program’s established CARF standards for guiding principles.
“This work happens all year, every year,” Aileen said. “For example, one of CARF’s areas of emphasis is to encourage the input from the people we serve. We’ve established a consumer council that meets monthly for people to give input. And when we built our new headquarters, we asked for input on design. It’s not just because of CARF. It’s who we are.”
Recent CARF surveyors called out Community Alliance’s strong engagement in their preliminary report: “Community Alliance places dignity at the center of everything they do. By actively seeking input from individuals and incorporating family perspectives, they create a strong sense of community that supports meaningful, person-centered recovery.”
Active professionals share relevant feedback
Five surveyors, who are actively working in the behavioral health field across the country, perform the three-day accreditation review process. This consultative peer approach is unique among other accrediting companies. It’s not just a checklist, it’s a conversation that yields relevant feedback and better outcomes for all.
Aileen Brady and two other Community Alliance staff members have even joined the CARF surveyor team to help review other behavioral health organizations across the country.
“Being a CARF surveyor is great professional development for people working in our field,” Aileen shared. “It also benefits Community Alliance to stay connected to what other organizations are doing.”
The CARF accreditation review process
CARF’s person-centered philosophy is a great fit for Community Alliance. The accreditation review process reflects this philosophy: Beyond our paperwork, policies and documentation, CARF surveyors conduct personal interviews. They engage the people we serve, their family members, referral sources and our staff to make their decision.
We were proud to receive strong feedback on our person-centered approach from recent surveyors. They shared: “It’s clear that both families and peers play a crucial role in recovery at Community Alliance. The perspective of the peer and the unique blend of empathy they bring to holistic care is integrated across programs. Those served described staff interactions as intentional and empathetic, treating them with the ‘heart of a peer.’ People clearly trust Community Alliance to support them in meeting their needs, whatever those needs may be.”
Anticipating a renewed accreditation
CARF completed Community Alliance’s latest accreditation review earlier this month. CARF’s rigorous process includes a preliminary report given by the on-site surveyors. Then, additional CARF staff further review the evidence for consistency with their standards and determine the accreditation outcome.
CARF surveyors reviewed 16 Community Alliance program areas:
- Assertive Community Treatment
- Crisis Services and Safe Harbor
- Community Support
- Day Rehabilitation
- Employment Services
- Health Home Services
- Homeless Services
- Intensive Outpatient Services
- Mental Health, Substance Use Outpatient, Counseling and First Episode Psychosis Services
- Opioid Services
- Reentry Services
- Residential Rehabilitation Services
- SOAR Services
- Supported Living
- Targeted Case Management
- Youth and Young Adult Services
Based on the surveyors’ preliminary report and comments, we look forward to a positive accreditation outcome. We are grateful to all who contributed to our accreditation review process, ensuring we continue to deliver the highest quality services to our community.
