PRN for Families is a member of the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP). This organization develops guidelines for ethical principles and best practices for therapeutic schools and programs.
Member programs in the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP) provide residential, therapeutic and/or education services to children, adolescents and young adults entrusted to them by parents and guardians. The common mission of NATSAP members is to promote the healthy growth, learning, motivation, and personal well-being of program participants. The objective of member therapeutic and educational programs is to provide excellent treatment for program participants; treatment that is rooted in concern for their well-being and growth; respect for them as human beings; and sensitivity to their individual needs and integrity.
From its inception, NATSAP has strived to develop guidelines for ethical principles and principles of good practice. Many of the accreditation requirements of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Organizations for residential care of adolescents served as a foundation for the development of NATSAP’s Principles of Good Practice.
To learn more about NATSAP, visit their website at: www.natsap.org.
In 2017, PRN for Families earned the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for Behavioral Health Care Accreditation by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards. The Gold Seal of Approval is a symbol of quality that reflects an organization’s commitment to providing safe and effective care.
PRN for Families underwent a rigorous onsite survey. During the review, compliance with behavioral health care standards related to several areas, including care, treatment, and services; environments of care; leadership; and screening procedures for the early detection of imminent harm was evaluated. Onsite observations and interviews also were conducted.
Established in 1969, The Joint Commission’s Behavioral Health Care Accreditation Program currently accredits more than 2,250 organizations for a three-year period. Accredited organizations provide treatment and services within a variety of settings across the care continuum for individuals who have mental health, addiction, eating disorder, intellectual/developmental disability, and/or child-welfare related needs.
“Joint Commission accreditation provides behavioral health care organizations with the processes needed to improve in a variety of areas related to the care of individuals and their families,” said Julia Finken, RN, BSN, MBA, CSSBB, CPHQ, executive director, Behavioral Health Care Accreditation Program, The Joint Commission. “We commend PRN for Families for its efforts to elevate the standard of care it provides and to instill confidence in the community it serves.”
“PRN For Families is pleased to receive Behavioral Health Care Accreditation from The Joint Commission, the premier health care quality improvement and accrediting body in the nation,” added Charles Elias, founder and executive director of PRN. “PRN for Families is the first program of its kind, providing home and community-based family preservation and reunification services, to earn this prestigious accreditation, and our staff is committed to continuing to work together to develop and implement approaches and strategies that have the potential to improve care for the individuals and families that we serve.”
The Joint Commission’s behavioral health care standards are developed in consultation with health care experts and providers, quality improvement measurement experts, and individuals and their families. The standards are informed by scientific literature and expert consensus to help organizations measure, assess and improve performance.
Founded in 1951, The Joint Commission seeks to continuously improve health care for the public, in collaboration with other stakeholders, by evaluating health care organizations and inspiring them to excel in providing safe and effective care of the highest quality and value. The Joint Commission accredits and certifies more than 21,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States. An independent, nonprofit organization, The Joint Commission is the nation’s oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care.
Learn more about The Joint Commission at www.jointcommission.org.