Mental Health & Developmental Services earns top accreditation for 8th time

Henrico Area Mental Health & Developmental Services (HAMHDS) has earned an additional three-year accreditation — the highest-possible endorsement — from CARF International, following a comprehensive review of its programs and services.

It is HAMHDS’ eighth consecutive three-year accreditation from CARF, which confirms conformance to more than 2,100 professional standards and a commitment to delivering programs and services that are measurable, accountable and of the highest quality.

CARF, founded in 1966 as the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, is an independent, nonprofit organization that works with health and human service providers to assess and improve the quality of their services based on internationally recognized organizational and program standards. Its peer review was conducted onsite in November.

HAMHDS provides community-based mental health, developmental, substance use, prevention and early intervention services to residents of Henrico, New Kent and Charles City counties. The agency has a 421-person staff and a $46.3 million budget for fiscal year 2022-23.

In its report, CARF said HAMHDS’ services “are highly valued by stakeholders and the community. It is obvious that the organization is designed and operated to benefit the individuals and families served. Among its many strengths is a strong, effective, and vision-focused leadership team and skilled, hardworking staff members who are dedicated to the delivery of quality person-centered services. At all levels, the organization’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is excellent. HAMHDS has comprehensive policies and procedures in addition to very good strategic plans. The leadership and staff members have a high level of commitment and enthusiasm for continuous quality improvement by using the CARF standards and proven practices in the organization.”

Laura S. Totty, executive director of HAMHDS, said she was pleased that CARF recognized the staff’s professionalism and that the lead surveyor described the review as inspirational and impressive.

“I am extremely proud of our staff,” she said. “I continue to be inspired by their compassion, resiliency, dedication and kindness to those we work with and each other.” HAMHDS’ accreditation covers the following programs and services: assertive community treatment; case management/services coordination; community integration-psychosocial rehabilitation; prevention; community housing for adults with developmental disabilities; community employment; community integration-Hermitage Enterprises and Cypress Enterprises and community integration-older adults/dementia care; and organizational employment programs.

 
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