As the CEO of a nationally recognized accreditation consulting company, I am often confronted with questions about the benefits of a human service provider becoming accredited or I am asked to address perceived barriers to accreditation. While earning national accreditation from organizations like The Joint Commission, CARF International, COA Accreditation (a division of Social Current)) or Accreditation Commission on Health Care (ACHC) can bring numerous benefits to behavioral health organizations, child welfare organizations, for-profit, nonprofit organizations and governmental agencies. There may be valid reasons why some might choose not to pursue accreditation, and here are my responses to these top five fears:

Human service organizations play a crucial role in meeting the needs of vulnerable populations, and it is essential that they are well-managed and effective in their operations. One way that organizations can demonstrate their commitment to quality is by becoming nationally accredited. However, the costs associated with accreditation can be a barrier for some organizations, especially those with limited resources.