Accreditation Guru News
March 2023
March Update
Springtime is on its way, as well as two more webinars and some great industry news! Relias has released a new blog focused on the wellness of healthcare staff, steps are being taken to address access to services in rural areas, and The Joint Commission is welcoming its new Executive Director. Read on for these and other exciting news and upcoming events.
#PrepareforGreatness
 
 
 
 
How to Choose an Accrediting Body

Selecting an accrediting body is an important part of the accreditation journey, and there are many factors to consider beyond cost. Click the link below to learn how to determine which accrediting body is the right fit for your organization!
SHOP TALK
Changes Coming for Relative/Kinship Care?
  • Supporting kinship care is one of Assistant Secretary January Contreras’ top priorities in 2023 – read recent interview in The Imprint News
  • Separate licensing standards for relative or kinship foster family homes have been proposed and published in the Federal Register with a request for comments by April 17! If your services include relative and/or kinship foster care, your comments are being sought.
End of PHE
US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued a fact sheet that provides a “transition roadmap” for what will and will not be affected by the expiration of the Public Health Emergency (PHE) on May 11, 2023. Efforts are being made to continue the flexibility in the use of telehealth made necessary during the pandemic.
Creating Psychology Safety
A recent Relias blog discusses creating psychological safety in your organization through implementation of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) principles.
Innovations to Overcome Barriers in Accessing Services in Rural Areas
The Center for Juvenile Justice Reform (CJJR) at Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy published “Common Problems, Common Solutions: Looking Across Sectors at Strategies for Supporting Rural Youth and Families Tool-Kit.” Although this tool kit focuses on barriers to accessing services in the juvenile justice system in rural areas, examples of innovative practices can also be applied to behavioral health, children/youth and human services in rural communities.
Congrats and Best Wishes!
AG offers congratulations to Melinda Lehman, MBA, on her recent appointment as Executive Director, Behavioral Health Care and Human Services Accreditation, The Joint Commission.

We also offer our best wishes to Christine James-Brown, CEO, as she retires from CWLA. CWLA Board of Directors has organized a Search Committee and has begun the process of soliciting candidates for its CEO position.
FREE WEBINAR SERIES
Accreditation: Getting Started!
This afternoon, AG will continue its FREE webinar series with "Choosing the Right Accrediting Body". There's still time to sign up for this and our last webinar, which will discuss common accreditation challenges. Each will be 30-minutes and have time for Q&A at the end. Click here for more information and to register!
UPCOMING EVENTS
March
8
Virtual - FREE
Accreditation: Getting Started! - Choosing the Right Accrediting Body
In part two, we'll be exploring the similarities and differences between multiple national accrediting bodies to help identify which would be the best fit for your organization. Click here to register!
March
22
Virtual - FREE
Accreditation: Getting Started! - Challenges on the Road to Accreditation
For this final portion of our series, we'll discuss challenges that organizations often face on the road to accreditation and how to avoid them. Click here to register!
May
1 - 3
Los Angeles, CA
NATCON - The National Council for Mental Wellbeing
Jennifer will be moderating the panel, "Creating Momentum in Challenging Times Through Accreditation," featuring panelists from COA, The Joint Commission, and CARF. Schedule some time for a one-on-one with Jennifer, or stop by the AG booth! You can learn more about this conference by clicking here.

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