United Way of Central Alabama’s Priority Veteran initiative recently received a 3-year accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) for its Rapid Rehousing and Homelessness Prevention Program. The accreditation allows the Rapid Rehousing and Homelessness Prevention Program efforts to continue without having to completely reapply for the Supportive Services for Veteran Families grant over the next three years.
While the accreditation was not necessary to retain the grant, Lula Skowronek, executive director for Priority Veteran, felt it helped organization a great deal. “It really is an outside group looking at organizations like us to make sure that we’re not just meeting the bare minimum of the grant but we’re taking into account all the things involved in being a well-run organization,” Skowronek said.
The accreditation process included three days of interviews and surveys with clients, veterans, staff personnel and case managers.
Accreditation demonstrates that Priority Veteran is committed to reducing risk, addressing health and safety concerns, respecting cultural and individual preferences, and providing the best possible quality of care. It is a public statement that our organization strives to ensure that our services are of the highest possible quality.
“They set high standards, so meeting those standards is a great thing,” said Skowronek.
While the CARF is not a requirement to receive the grant, it turned out to be a great exercise to improve the systems and processes within Priority Veteran.
Priority Veteran has helped more than 1, 000 Alabama veterans who are struggling with re-integration and homelessness. They are provided intensive one-on-one assistance to locate stable permanent housing and link them to resources to gain the skills and knowledge to help them remain financially stable. Priority Veteran was established by United in October, 2013 with a $2 million Supportive Services for Veteran Families grant from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
United Way of Central Alabama Inc. supports health and human service programs and agencies that provide solutions for the most important needs in the community. Its business is to improve lives and community conditions by building and mobilizing resources.
United Way of Central Alabama serves Jefferson, Shelby, Walker, Blount and St. Clair counties by providing solutions for the most important needs in the community. Through our partner agencies and community initiatives, we improve lives and community conditions by building and mobilizing resources. To learn more about United Way’s impact in your community visit www.uwca.org.