Bootheel Counseling Services awarded three-year accreditation

The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, or CARF, International has awarded Bootheel Counseling Services the highest level of accreditation possible.

“This accreditation is a compliment to the staff and their commitment to excellence,” said David Terrell, executive director of Bootheel Counseling Services in Sikeston. “The consumers we serve deserve the best and we will continue to strive to meet the needs of those that entrust us in their care. CARF’s accreditation process has enhanced the strengths of this organization through its rigorous conformance standards.”

Bootheel Counseling Services first earned its accreditation through CARF International, which is the premier accreditation body of health and human service organizations, in October 2013. The health care organization underwent a very detailed process and is proud to announce the following programs were accredited: Community Integration: Mental Health SUD\Mental Health (Adults); Community Integration: Mental Health SUD\Mental Health (Children and Adolescents); Crisis Intervention: Mental Health SUD\Mental Health (Adults); Crisis Intervention: Mental Health SUD\Mental Health (Children and Adolescents; Health Home: Comprehensive Care (Adults); Health Home: Comprehensive Care (Children and Adolescents); Outpatient treatment: Mental Health SUD\Mental Health (Adults); Outpatient treatment: Mental Health SUD\Mental Health (Children and Adolescents).

Founded in 1966, CARF is an independent, nonprofit accrediting body that establishes consumer-focused standards to help organizations measure and improve the quality of their programs and services.

CARF’s 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 and has demonstrated to a team of surveyors during an on-site visit that its programs and services are of the highest quality, measurable and accountable.

CARF found that Bootheel Counseling Services Inc. demonstrated the following strengths:

— BCS has a long, respected history of service provision to the City of Sikeston and other outlying counties and areas. The positive nature of its presence in the communities served was evident in comments made by consumers, other stakeholders, and community members.

— The leadership team makes itself available to the staff members and welcomes input from personnel at all levels of the organization Team members are open to feedback and transparent regarding areas of potential organizational growth. They actively seek ways to advance and grow the organization.

— Leadership is complimented for developing and fostering a cohesive management and service delivery team. The seasoned members of the leadership demonstrate a strong commitment to BCS and have impressive employment longevity with it. They display shared knowledge of all aspects of the organization and are commended for their ongoing efforts to optimize the delivery of quality services.

—Across the organization, staff members display exceptional vested interest in the consumers’ success and stability. They have a go-getter attitude and consistently are willing to jump in and complete tasks or to take on responsibilities not specifically related to their job descriptions. Staff members are involved in multiple roles related to facilities and operations of BCS. This level of involvement serves to increase the degree to which they are vested in the organization overall.

— Clinical staff members are guided by experienced clinical directors and senior program leaders. Dedicated and exceptionally enthusiastic, they demonstrate a commitment to provide high quality care for which consumers are truly appreciative.

— BCS has a robust technology team relative to the size of the organization. They are knowledgeable, approachable team members and have made significant strides in the advancement of the use of hardware and software that supports the organization’s business functions and service delivery practices.

—Consumers and other stakeholders were exceptionally positive in their comments regarding the services provided by BCS.

—Stakeholders recognized and praised the quality of the ongoing planning processes conducted by BCS and the organization’s adaptability in providing services tailored to the needs of the consumer and communities served, other stakeholders, and the state of the Missouri as a whole.

Bootheel Counseling Services has been providing mental health services to the community since 1976 helping residents lead healthier, happier, more productive lives. It is a private, not for profit charitable organization committed to providing excellent comprehensive behavioral health care to residents in Scott, Stoddard, Mississippi and New Madrid County. Most recently the agency went through another accreditation process to become a certified community behavioral health organization and expanded access to additional services.

“We are very proud to share the accreditation results with our consumers and community stakeholders,” Terrell said.