BAMSI’s Executive Management Team was recently notified that the organization received a three year accreditation from CARF; the internationally recognized nonprofit organization that offers accreditation services and support for health and human service programs.

For three days in December, a team of CARF accreditors conducted in-depth, on-site reviews designed to ensure that our services are of the highest possible quality. CARF accreditation demonstrates that we have opened our service delivery doors and business process to outside scrutiny to improve the quality of our programs consists of ongoing consultation and in-depth on-site reviews to help our organization achieve the highest quality of care for persons served. Accreditation is a public statement that our organization strives to ensure that our services are of the highest possible quality. CARF International is a nonprofit accreditor of health and human services. Its goal is to ensure that persons served remain at the center of the service delivery process.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM BAMSI’s CARF SURVEY:

• Shared decision making, transparency, and clear communication are valued throughout the organization and are evident in initiatives, practices, and structures at every level. The organization has developed committee and meeting structures, including those associated with the Consumer Advisory Council, to ensure that the leadership hears, understands, and utilizes the input.
• The board of directors and its committees hold regular meetings throughout the year: including two meetings each year at selected program locations and an annual meeting with stakeholders, during which the many accomplishments of the organization, its programs, the staff members, and the persons served are recognized and celebrated.
• The organization has invested in the development of solid infrastructure and business practices, specifically designed to support and promote service delivery functions and related activities. Development and reliance on experts with specialized administrative roles continues to support the organization’s ability to ensure that program and clinical personnel can focus their considerable skills and efforts on the management and provision of services.
• BAMSI has engaged in ongoing planning associated with the use of technology in a variety of areas, including project management, communication with stakeholders, and the recent successful rollout of an electronic medical record. This is of particular note, given the complex service environment and multiple funding and regulatory requirements.   ·
• Individuals throughout the organization communicate a clear sense of mission and commitment to quality. Those associated with the organization describe a tremendous pride in their association with BAMSI and the delivery of services in an atmosphere of dignity and respect, for which the persons served are truly appreciative.
• The organization’s commitment to quality and ongoing improvement in its operations is evident in a variety of structures and processes. In addition to the recent expansion of staffing in the quality improvement offices, this commitment is evident in the implementation of a Clinical Review process, during which challenging or complex service delivery issues are presented and discussed; the Medical Risk Committee, which includes stakeholders, consultants, and personnel with specialized skills and knowledge; and Clinical Best Practice forums with presentations by recognized experts.
• BAMSI continues to demonstrate a commitment and significant capacity in the management and use of technology, websites, social media, and publications for communicating its mission, sharing performance information, and managing its operations. The public website is well designed, attractive, and easy to use and includes links to information about program access, performance information, and powerful videos that communicate the organization’s story and the many accomplishments of the persons served.
• BAMSI demonstrates a clear commitment promoting personal growth and professional development of personnel throughout the organization. All personnel receive initial and ongoing training associated with their respective roles and responsibilities, and the organization has developed specialized training programs for leadership, management, administrative, and service delivery personnel.
• The organization is to be recognized for the quality of the specifically designed housing options for individuals with multiple medical issues. Tastefully decorated, each house creatively balances the complex needs in a homelike setting that is personalized with. the uniqueness of each person served.
• The organization provides training and supervision to ensure that evidence-based treatment modalities are implemented appropriately and effectively throughout its programs.
• Coordination of the crisis services is highly organized and responsive to the needs of the persons served.
• A human rights advocate is designated at each location. This person has primary responsibility for the organization and oversight of rights-related processes at respective locations.
• Management team members report that the regularly occurring “cluster” meetings provide an excellent venue for sharing best practices that occur throughout the organization.
• Stakeholders describe the employment program and the staff as “top notch” in providing support to the persons served and the employers. They regularly “go above and beyond.”
• BAMSI understands the value of peer involvement in service provision and promotes opportunities for mentoring and supports for other individuals in service through Mentoring Mondays and peer partnering in the day habilitation programs.
• The persons served attending the day habilitation program describe themselves as having a sense of pride as they attend the different activities that are organized by Yale, Princeton, and Harvard universities.
• Brockton Employment Services takes a creative approach in finding the persons served competitive employment by utilizing the strengths of each staff member, providing a stepping stone for persons served as they move toward employment. With a 65 percent employment rate and a 95 percent retention rate, it is clear that this system has been effective for the persons served.
• One of the aspects of the organization’s commitment to the “person-comes-first” philosophy and its promotion of the person-centered approach is the individualization of services. The persons served live in very personalized residences and work toward achieving goals based on their unique needs and strengths. The persons living in the same home attend different day programs on a full-time or part-time basis.
• The residential services for persons with complex medical needs have been highly successful and could serve within the field as an example of an individualized, community-based model of services that reflects the organization’s commitment to quality of life of persons served. The persons residing in these homes are supported by teams of dedicated, passionate, and well­ trained professionals who often go the extra distance to fulfill the mission of the organization. Homes visited during this survey are very functional and have been designed, built, and equipped to accommodate the unique needs and preferences of the future residents. The homes are spacious, well maintained, and equipped with modem fire suppression systems and back-up generators.
• Interactions of the staff members and the persons served, and the interactions between the team members were positive, supportive, caring, respectful, and fully reflective of BAMSI’s mission statement, its values, and the code of ethics and professional conduct. The staff members describe themselves as a team working together for the benefit of the residents, or, as one of them expressed, to “make a difference in the lives of the persons served.”

For the full report:  http://www.bamsi.org/resources/carf-accreditation/