What is accreditation?
Accreditation is a process that is undertaken by an independent authoritative body for the purpose of recognizing that an organization or program meets a set of quality standards in the provision of specific services. The accreditation process often involves both self-assessment and peer review, and results in a work plan designed to improve on identified weaknesses and capitalize on existing strengths. This work plan is reviewed regularly by both parties to ensure that the organization is continually striving to meet established quality standards and best practices.
Why get accredited?
In addition to ensuring that best practices are being implemented in the field, thereby improving standards and services across the entire continuum of care, accreditation also
- Provides clients with the assurance that they are receiving the best-quality care,
- Demonstrates accountability and professionalism, and
- Highlights an organization’s commitment to excellence.
How to get accredited
The following organizations provide voluntary accreditation specifically for substance abuse treatment programs at the national level:
The Employee Assistance Society of North America (EASNA) also provides mentorship to organizations seeking to obtain accreditation for Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) through the COA.
At the provincial level, the Québec government has established a voluntary standards and certification framework for private or community organizations providing substance abuse treatment and lodging in Québec, as well as legislation mandating all public institutions to have the health and social services they provide accredited by a recognized body - either the Canadian Council on Health Services Accreditation (CCHSA) or the Conseil québécois d’agrément (CQA) - every three years.
To learn more about the above-mentioned organizations, please read on.
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The Accreditation Canada aims to drive quality in health services through accreditation by helping organizations, across Canada and internationally, examine and improve the quality of services they provide to their patients and clients. Their accreditation program covers a variety of health care and service areas, including substance abuse and problem gambling. Accreditation is a two-part process, which includes peer review and self-assessment that focus on ways to continually improve services.
The first part involves self-assessment: the organization seeking accreditation measures its own compliance with national standards. Key areas that are examined during the accreditation process include client/patient care and the delivery of service, information management practices, human resources development and management, the organization's governance, and the management of the environment.
During the second part (peer review), reviewers from outside the organization use the same national standards to independently measure the organization through an on-site survey. This survey offers those seeking accreditation the opportunity to have their performance measured by external, objective reviewers. During the on-site visit, these reviewers, known as surveyors, meet with a broad spectrum of individuals served by the organization.
For more information:
Accreditation Canada
730 St. Laurent Boulevard, Suite 100
Ottawa, Ontario K1G 5L1
Tel.: 1-800-814-7769 (outside Canada 613-738-3800)
Fax: 1-800-811-7088 (outside Canada 613-738-7755)
Website: www.accreditation.ca
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CARF Canada is now incorporated in this country as part of CARF International. CARF was founded in 1966 as the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities. CARF Canada has offices in Edmonton and Ottawa to serve more than 380 accredited organizations in Canada delivering a variety of specialized services, including addictions treatment. CARF’s mission is to promote the quality, value and optimal outcomes of services through accreditation that centres on enhancing the lives of persons receiving those services.
CARF Canada standards focus on both the business practices that need to be in place to ensure organizational viability, and specific areas of programming. Examples of the latter include crisis intervention and stabilization, detoxification, employee assistance, drug court treatment, community housing and residential treatment.
The self-assessment and collaborative peer review, or survey process, help an organization focus on areas of strength and opportunities for improvement. Following the survey, accredited organizations must submit a quality improvement plan, and must attest annually to the fact that they are still in conformity with the standards.
For more information:
Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) Canada
10665 Jasper Avenue, Suite 1400A
Edmonton, AB T5J 3S9
Tel.: 780-429-2538
Toll-free: 877-434-5444
Fax: 780-426-7274
Website: www.carf.org
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The Council on Accreditation (COA) partners with human service organizations worldwide to improve service delivery outcomes by developing, applying and promoting accreditation standards.
COA is an international, independent, not-for-profit, child- and family-service and behavioural health care accrediting organization. It was founded in 1977 by the Child Welfare League of America and Family Service America (now the Alliance for Children and Families). Originally known as an accrediting body for family and children's agencies, COA currently accredits 38 different service areas and over 60 types of programs. Among the service areas are substance abuse treatment, adult day care, services for the homeless, foster care, and intercountry adoption.
In addition to standards for private social service and behavioural health care organizations, COA has developed separate business lines for public agencies, networks and lead management entities, opioid treatment programs, employee assistance programs, and financial management/debt counselling services.
For more information:
COA
120 Wall Street, 11th floor
New York, NY 10005
Tel.: 212-797-3000
Toll-free: 866-262-8088
Fax: 212-797-1428
Website: www.coanet.org
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The Employee Assistance Society of North America (EASNA) introduced an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) accreditation program in July 1990. At that time, full and provisional accreditation was determined by compliance with standards as evaluated by site visits from authorized peer reviewers. The accreditation process required documentation and proof of practice in the following areas: Administration, Program Design and Implementation, Record Keeping, Confidentiality Procedures, Case Management, Staffing and Staff Development, and Evaluation and Research.
In 2001, EASNA worked with the Council on Accreditation (COA) to develop the EAP Standards and Self-Study Manual, 1st Edition, a resource defining the best practice standards in the employee assistance field. EAPs accredited under this first edition were awarded the EASNA accreditation as administered by COA. In 2002, EASNA recognized the merit in having COA become sole custodian of the accreditation process and standards, while EASNA assumed the role of supporting those member organizations seeking accreditation.
Thus, while EASNA is no longer a direct provider of accreditation services, it continues to actively support accreditation for providers of employee assistance programs. Mentoring services are provided to EASNA members seeking COA accreditation.
For more information:
2001 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 1004
Arlington, VA 22202-3617
Tel. : 703-416-0010
Fax: 703-416-0014
Email: info@easna.org
Website: www.easna.org
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The Conseil québécois d'agrément (CQA) is a private, non-profit organization providing accreditation to organizations within the public health and social service sector in Québec. CQA's objectives include supporting the continued improvement of the quality of service offered by these organizations, and publicly certifying that a set of quality requirements are being satisfied in accordance with the laws and regulations of the province of Québec.
For more information:
533, rue Ontario Est,
Bureau 330
Montréal (Québec)
H2L 1N8
Tel.: 514-499-6996
Fax : 514-499-6998
Website: www.agrement-quebecois.ca
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The Québec government has established a voluntary standards and certification framework for private or community organizations that have been operating for at least two years to provide substance abuse treatment and lodging. The framework addresses standards that are necessary and sufficient for the physical, psychological and moral protection of the population using substance abuse treatment services. Recognized resources receive a certificate of conformity and are registered in the Ministère's list of certified Québec organizations.
For more information:
Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux
Direction de la jeunesse et de la toxicomanie
Tel.: 418-266-6830
Website: http://www.msss.gouv.qc.ca/
In December 2002, the government of Québec passed new legislation amending the Act Respecting Health Services and Social Services, making it mandatory for every public institution to have the health and social services it provides accredited by a recognized body every three years. Institutions recognized as providing health and social services under this act include
- health and social service centres
- hospital centres
- child and youth protection centres
- residential and long-term care centres
- rehabilitation centres
The two bodies formally recognized to provide such accreditation are the Canadian Council on Health Services Accreditation (CCHSA) and the Conseil québécois d'agrément (CQA).
For more information:
Toll-free: 1-800-707-3380
Tel.: 418-266-8900
Website: http://www.msss.gouv.qc.ca/