Henrico Area Mental Health & Developmental Services receives top accreditation for the eighth time
Citizen employees
Henrico Area Mental Health & Developmental Services has received additional three-year accreditation—the highest possible support—from CARF International, after a comprehensive review of its programs and services.
It is HAMHDS’ eighth consecutive three-year accreditation from CARF, affirming compliance with more than 2,100 professional standards and a commitment to providing measurable, accountable, and highest-quality programs and services. Accreditation covers the following programs and services: Assertive Community Therapy. case management/service coordination; social integration and psychosocial rehabilitation; block; community housing for adults with developmental disabilities; community work; Community Integration – Hermitage Companies, Cypress Projects and Community Integration – Senior Citizens/Dementia Care; and organizational recruitment programmes.
Founded in 1966 as the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, CARF is an independent, nonprofit organization that works with health and human service providers to evaluate and improve the quality of their services based on internationally recognized regulatory and programmatic standards. On-site peer review was conducted in November.
HAMHDS provides community mental health, development, substance abuse, prevention and early intervention services to residents of Henrico, New Kent, and Charles City counties. The agency has a staff of 421 and a budget of $46.3 million for the 2022-23 fiscal year.
HAMHDS’ services, Carve said in its report, are “highly valued by stakeholders and the community. It is clear that the organization is designed and operated to benefit the individuals and families served. Among its many strengths are a strong, effective, vision-focused leadership team and skilled, hardworking, dedicated staff To deliver high quality person centered services At all levels the organization’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion is excellent HAMHDS has comprehensive policies and procedures as well as very good strategic plans Leadership and staff have a high level of commitment and enthusiasm for continuous quality improvement using CARF standards and proven practices in the organization “.
Laura S. Totty, HAMHDS Executive Director, said she was pleased that CARF recognized the professionalism of the staff and that the Chief Surveyor called the review inspiring and impressive.
“I am so proud of our employees,” she said. “I continue to be inspired by their compassion, resilience, dedication and kindness to those we work with and each other.”