The Garrett County Health Department Behavioral Health Division was recently issued a three-year accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).
“This achievement is an indication of your organization’s dedication and commitment to improving the quality of the lives of the persons served,” reads the letter from CARF President/CEO Brian Boon. “Your organization should take pride in achieving this high level of accreditation.”
“I refer to our team of therapists, doctors, support staff, and administrative staff as All Stars,” said Les McDaniel, Director of the Behavioral Health Program. “They are an exemplary group of caring professionals and I’m honored to be their Director.”
The accreditation was awarded following a report from a group of CARF surveyors who spent two days in August reviewing the program and spoke with staff, multiple stakeholders within the health department and the community. Depending on the group’s findings, the Commission could have required three to six months of probationary status with improvement ultimatums, or accreditations periods from one to three years.
“Achieving three-year accreditation, the highest possible level, is a very positive outcome,” said McDaniel. “Their decision was that we ‘demonstrated substantial conformance to standards providing a full continuum of services that support the needs of the community.’”
The accreditation runs through August 31, 2022, and applies to the following programs: Intensive Outpatient Treatment: Alcohol and Other Drugs/Addictions (Adults); Outpatient Treatment: Alcohol and Other Drugs/Addictions (Adults/Children and Adolescents); and Outpatient Treatment: Mental Health (Adults/Children and Adolescents).
CARF is an independent, nonprofit accreditor of health and human services with internationally recognized standards. The State of Maryland’s Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) requires all Behavioral Health programs to be accredited by a recognized program, and CARF is one of three that are recognized.
Cutline:
The Behavioral Health Program at the Garrett County Health Department recently received three-year accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). Pictured above are some of the Health Department staff members and other stakeholders who met with the CARF Team who visited recently to survey the program. Pictured from left to right, seated, are Health Officer Bob Stephens, Jennifer Brenneman, Kathy Beals, and John Hummel. Standing in back are Les McDaniel, Jessica Salinas, Sarah Hallock (CARF), Stephanie Bleigh, Linda Welch, Jodi Madden, Debbie DeWitt, Charise Peddicord, Joanne Roberts, Tammy Hammer (CARF), Jennifer VanPelt, Sandy Miller, Kendra McLaughlin, and Dr. Richard Perry.
By Diane Lee, Public Information Officer, Garrett County Health Department
Contact: [email protected]
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