Catholic Guardian Services Earns Three-Year CARF Accreditation for Foster Care and Unaccompanied Children’s Programs in New York City
March 1, 2026
Catholic Guardian Services has earned another three-year CARF accreditation for its foster care and Unaccompanied Children’s programs in New York City, recognizing the agency’s commitment to high-quality, person-centered care for children and families.
The reaccreditation covers Catholic Guardian Services’ Family Permanency Services, including Enhanced Family Foster Care, Special Medical Family Foster Care and Residential Foster Care, as well as its Unaccompanied Children’s Program. The achievement, also highlighted in the agency’s 2025 Year in Review, reflects the dedication of staff and leadership across these programs.
What Does CARF Accreditation Mean for Children and Families?
CARF International, originally established as the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, is an independent, nonprofit organization that evaluates health and human services providers against internationally recognized standards for quality, accountability and continuous improvement.
CARF accreditation involves an independent review of an organization’s leadership, operations and service delivery, with particular emphasis on the experiences and outcomes of the people receiving care. A three-year accreditation is the highest accreditation term available for child and youth services programs and demonstrates substantial conformance with CARF’s standards.
For children, youth and families served by Catholic Guardian Services, the recognition reflects the agency’s commitment to providing compassionate, individualized services grounded in dignity, safety and respect.
An Extensive Review of Catholic Guardian Services
During the reaccreditation process, CARF surveyors visited multiple Catholic Guardian Services locations, interviewed staff, youth and foster parents, reviewed documentation and observed programs in action.
The surveyors recognized the professionalism of CGS staff, strong organizational leadership and the mission-driven, person-centered approach reflected throughout the agency’s services.
Of more than 1,200 standards reviewed, only five required minor adjustments. This result reflects the extensive preparation, collaboration and commitment to quality demonstrated by staff across the accredited programs.
The three-year accreditation also reinforces Catholic Guardian Services’ ongoing responsibility to evaluate its practices, strengthen its programs and respond to the evolving needs of the children and families it serves.
Strengthening Foster Care and Family Services in New York City
Catholic Guardian Services’ Family Permanency Services provide care and support for children who cannot safely remain at home, while working toward reunification, kinship guardianship or adoption whenever appropriate.
Through Enhanced Family Foster Care, the agency provides family-based care and clinical support for children who have experienced trauma. Special Medical Family Foster Care supports children with complex medical needs, while Residential Foster Care provides structured care for children and adolescents who require additional support.
The agency’s Unaccompanied Children’s Program provides shelter, education, healthcare, trauma-informed counseling and bilingual case management for children who arrive in the United States without a parent or legal guardian. The program works toward safe family reunification while connecting children with the resources and support they need.
These services share a commitment to recognizing the dignity, strengths and individual needs of every child.
Catholic Guardian Services extends its heartfelt appreciation to the staff, foster parents, program leaders and young people who participated in the accreditation process. This recognition reflects their collective dedication to providing help, creating hope and preserving dignity for children and families throughout New York City.
About Catholic Guardian Services
Catholic Guardian Services is a nonprofit social service agency serving children and families across the five boroughs of New York City. The agency provides foster care and adoption services, children's mental health care, family support programs, and services for people with developmental disabilities, and serves all who need help regardless of faith, race, or background. Sponsored by Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York, its roots reach back to 1887, and its legal incorporation dates to 1913. Catholic Guardian Services is headquartered at 488 Madison Avenue, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10022. Phone: (212) 371-1000. Donate or learn more at catholicguardian.org.