Behavioral Health Department receives three-year accreditation

Scott Csernyik

7/14/2003 12:00:00 AM

The Saginaw Chippewa Tribe's Behavioral Health Department recently received accreditation for another three years from a nationally-recognized organization after meeting a rigid two-day survey.

Out of 1,144 standards to meet, the department only missed four according to findings from the Commission on Accreditation for Rehabilitation Facilities.

"That's the best I've ever seen anyone do under CARF," stated Behavioral Health Administrator Mary Allison. "It is the direct result of a lot of hard work and dedication on the staff's part. The community can take a great amount of pride with the program's accomplishments."

CARF is a rehabilitation accreditation process which promotes quality, value and optimal outcomes for programs and services. Its purpose is to develop and maintain standards to improve the value and responsiveness of service providers, according to information from their Web site.

Department services have also been certified as a BlueCrossBlueShield provider, which helps make the program more self-sufficient.

"It also makes us adhere to a level of standards in being accountable professionally and financially," stated Allison. "It's all about certification, licensure and paperwork to provide a quality assurance that our client's needs will be met."

The department-which consists of Tribal Mental Health and Ojibwe Substance Abuse Services and Prevention-also has the distinction of being the first Native American program in the country to have dually-accredited services. Behavioral Health currently has 334 clients, including 248 Saginaw Chippewa Tribal members

"There are several mental health and substance abuse facilities with individual accreditation, but together it's unheard of," explained Allison. "By fulfilling the three-year accreditation, we feel this says we are offering the Tribal community the highest form of excellence in standards and practices that meet, and in some cases exceed, accreditation guidelines. We are trying to show the community that we are one entire team and we want to provide the best comprehensive, individualized and holistic services to the Tribal community."

The accreditation process also recognized the Tribal program as exemplary in several areas, including a commitment to culture.

This is one of the department's unique aspects, stated Clinical Director Hunter Genia.

"This program is serving a specific population as far as culture and tradition," he explained.

The accreditation process also noted the government support of the program. Allison explained the CARF personnel met with the department's administrative team, employees and clients during the two-day visit.

"I was very impressed with Chief Maynard Kahgegab Jr. In my eight years here, he's the first chief that took the time to talk with the administrative surveyor for over an hour," she said.

Allison and Genia said it's one of the department's goal to always try to improve services.

"People need to view behavioral health as a speed bump in the parking lot," she said. "We're there to slow them down in receiving the best help possible."