Aspire to Excellence - CARF Accredited

Coveted 3-Year CARF Accreditation Achieved!

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Northern Lakes Community Mental Health (CMH) has been accredited by CARF International for a period of three years (through May 2018) for thirteen of its programs.

The programs are: Assertive Community Treatment: Alcohol and Other Drugs/Addictions and Mental Health Services (AOD/MH), (Adults), Assessment and Referral: Mental Health (Adults), Assessment and Referral: Mental Health (Children and Adolescents), Case Management/Services Coordination: Mental Health (Adults), Case Management/Services Coordination: Mental Health (Children and Adolescents), Crisis Intervention: Mental Health (Adults), Crisis Intervention: Mental Health (Children and Adolescents), Intensive Family-Based Services: Mental Health (Children and Adolescents), Outpatient Treatment: Integrated Developmental Disabilities (DD) /Mental Health (Adults), Outpatient Treatment: Integrated Developmental Disabilities/Mental Health (Children and Adolescents), Prevention: Integrated: AOD/MH (Adults).

The latest accreditation is the fourth consecutive Three-Year Accreditation that the international accrediting body, CARF, has awarded to Northern Lakes CMH since its formation in 2003.

This accreditation decision represents the highest level of accreditation that can be awarded to an organization and shows the organization’s substantial conformance to the CARF standards. An organization receiving a Three-Year Accreditation has put itself through a rigorous peer review process. It has demonstrated to a team of surveyors during an on-site visit its commitment to offering programs and services that are measurable, accountable, and of the highest quality.

According to the formal report issued by CARF surveyors, “It is apparent that the organization provides much needed services to an underserved and challenging population that positively impact the lives of the adults and children and adolescents served and their families. There is a strong sense of caring and commitment by skilled staff members throughout the organization’s programs.”

The CARF review report noted Northern Lakes CMH has strengths in many areas, including:

  • The leadership, board, and staff provide an environment characterized by compassion and genuine support for the mission of the organization.
  • Leadership and staff are committed to providing quality care. Family members and referral source representatives report high levels of satisfaction with the organization’s programs and services. Phrases heard include ‘outstanding services,’ ‘They are willing to assist other organizations whenever they can,’ and ‘They helped me when I didn’t know what else to do.’
  • The leadership and staff remain conscious of the organization’s potential to improve existing services and to expand the scope of services based on the needs of the community and the community members.
  • High levels of community education and consumer involvement with projects that engage and educate the community.
  • Staff members are professional, well educated, committed to high quality care, and responsive to the needs of consumers and the community.
  • Referral and funding agents report communication between all sources is thorough, effective, and efficient.
  • The consumers who were interviewed hold the staff members they work with in high regard. Consumers stated that the staff members treat them with dignity and respect and are strong advocates for the persons served.
  • The staff members have found ways to meet the challenges of a limited transportation system.
  • NLCMHA implemented the state’s complex and intense service delivery system for children on the autism spectrum.
  • NLCMHA has developed and maintains a six-county system of care for children and adolescents and their families, which is a parent and professional partnership for youth-guided family-driven care.
  • Evidence-based practices include specialty areas of parent education (Triple P – Positive Parenting Program® and resource training, infant mental health, and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy. Clinicians are knowledgeable, responsive to the needs of those served, and committed to the children and families of the communities.

Karl V. Kovacs, Chief Executive Officer at Northern Lakes CMH, said, “Staff at Northern Lakes CMH do outstanding work on a daily basis and it is gratifying to have their efforts recognized in this way. Our staff are great people who focus on what is most important – providing high quality services to the people of our communities.”

CARF is an independent, not-for-profit accrediting body whose mission is to promote the quality, value, and optimal outcomes of services through a consultative accreditation process that centers on enhancing the lives of the persons served. Founded in 1966 as the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, and now known as CARF International, the accrediting body establishes consumer-focused standards to help organizations measure and improve the quality of their programs and services.

For additional information contact Northern Lakes CMH Chief Executive Officer Karl V. Kovacs at (231) 935-3645.