Programs that want to be known as providing quality services for individuals with a dual diagnosis (IDD/MI) should seek NADD Accreditation. Accreditation by NADD indicates that the program meets the standards established by NADD for providing services to individuals with a dual diagnosis. There is also the prestige of receiving a NADD Accreditation as it represents the NADD “Seal of Approval.”
The program may benefit in additional ways such as a greater perceived quality of service, additional referrals, and perhaps even increased fees from third party payers. A listing of all accredited programs will be maintained and this listing should facilitate referrals to programs that provide quality services for individuals with IDD/MI. Regulatory agencies, parents, and other provider agencies will perceive the quality of services offered by the program to be meeting or exceeding industry standards as established by NADD.
One way that NADD Accreditation differs from almost all other accreditation programs is the inclusion of a consultation component. Through their expertise, NADD surveyors are not only able to identify areas that are in need of improvement, but they are also able to offer concrete suggestions about how to improve the program. The consultation component takes place on site during the course of the survey.
Accreditation Modules
NADD Accreditation evaluates the policies and practices of programs in relation to the following eighteen competency areas:
- Medication Reconciliation
- Holistic Bio-Psycho-Social Approach
- Database/Outcome measures
- Protocols for Assessments
- Treatment / Habilitation Plans
- Basic Health Care
- Interdisciplinary Team
- Training/staff and family
- Crisis Prevention and Intervention
- Cultural Competency/Family Values
- Trauma
- Quality Assurance/Incident Management
- Evidence-Based Treatment Practices
- Ethics, Rights, Responsibilities
- Interagency and Cross-Systems Collaborations
- Long Term Living – Service Coordination
- Advocacy and Rights
- Health Informatics (Technology)
The Accreditation Survey includes:
- Interviews
- Records Review
- Policy and Procedure Review
The NADD surveyor(s) will have face to face interviews with treatment team members, other staff involved in treatment of the individual, and program administrators. The NADD surveyors will complete a records review and interview of the treatment team members on specific cases to ensure clear documentation that reflects the individualized goals of treatment plan as well as direct observation of the staff and persons receiving services. The NADD surveyor(s) will review and assess whether the program practices reflect the best practice as established by the NADD accreditation.
Quality Improvement: NADD Technical Assistance Services
One reason that NADD developed the NADD IDD/MI Dual Diagnosis Accreditation and Certification Programs – and one of the reasons that a program may choose to seek NADD Accreditation – is an interest in improving the quality of services provided to individuals who have IDD and mental health needs. NADD offers a broad range of training and consultation services concerning providing services to individuals with IDD and mental health needs.
Programs seeking NADD Accreditation may choose to ask for NADD Technical Assistance Services to:
- Help prepare for an accreditation survey
- Help plan for improvement of services after an accreditation survey
- Provide staff training
- For consultations regarding ongoing & as-needed quality improvement
Cost
The Accreditation application cost is $500; one application fee can cover multiple programs in the same organization.
The Accreditation Survey cost depends on the size and complexity of the program in question, based on a flat fee of $3,000 per Surveyor per day plus travel expenses.
NADD Accreditation is valid for up to three years.
There is a $1,500 annual fee to maintain Accreditation, after the initial year; one annual fee covers multiple programs in the same organization.
After the initial accreditation period, accredited programs are required to have at least ten (10%) percent of their clinical, specialist, and direct support staff certified through NADD programs.
Certification Fee Discounts
To control the cost of accreditation, the cost of certifying the initial 10% of staff will be at no additional cost. Any additional staff will be certified at a discounted rate.
