Accreditation of Barry County Substance Abuse Servicess means high quality service, high quality employees

The reaccreditation of Barry County Substance Abuse Services by the Council on Accreditation (COA) means that clients can expect high quality services provided by experienced and professionally trained staff.

"Our accreditation reflects our commitment to excellence," said Brian Shumway, Executive Director of Barry County Substance Abuse Services. "The message for clients is that they receive high quality service from our professional staff and employees.  The message for professionals in the substance abuse field is that this is an agency that shares their commitment and values and supports their professional growth."

Recent studies by the U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO) and COA researchers found that COA-accredited agencies enjoy significant benefits over non-accredited agencies.  The GAO report cited the success of two COA-accredited state agencies in recruiting and retaining staff and delivering quality services to their clients.

“We’re proud of our accreditation because it places our organization among those organizations nationwide that achieve success in serving their clients and the community,” said Shumway.

Barry County Substance Abuse Services was reaccredited by COA in July following an intense ten-month self study process followed by review by a team of peer professionals.

COA is an international, independent, not-for-profit, child and family services and behavioral healthcare services accrediting organization.

Founded in 1977 by the Child Welfare League of America and Family Service America, COA promotes best practice standards; champions quality services for children, youth, and families; and advocates for the value of accreditation. In 2001, COA accredited or was in the process of accrediting more than 1,600 private and public organizations that serve more than seven million individuals and families in the United States and Canada.

COA accreditation is a process of evaluating an organization against best practice standards. COA develops standards by using a consensus model with input from service providers, funders, policymakers and consumers across the United States and Canada. The standards represent up-to-date research findings, regulations, and practice experience that together serve to define quality organizational practice. COA's standards are comprised of organizational and management standards and service standards, including the full array of child and family services, behavioral healthcare services, financial management/debt counseling services, employee assistance programs, and many service areas for which no other accreditor has standards

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