SAMHSA Awards Almost $3 Million to Fund Opioid Treatment Program Accreditation Grants

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Date: 9/9/2008
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SAMHSA Awards Almost $3 Million to Fund Opioid Treatment Program Accreditation Grants

Helps Programs Transition to New Accreditation Process

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) today announced the award of three grants, totaling approximately $3 million over three years, to help Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs) reduce the costs of basic accreditation education and accreditation/reaccreditation surveys, or site visits.

“Accreditation is the peer review process by which SAMHSA-approved accreditation bodies make site visits and review the policies, procedures, practices and patient services of an organization providing opioid treatment,” said SAMHSA Acting Administrator Eric Broderick, D.D.S., M.P.H. “The purpose of these accreditation site visits is to ensure that OTPs meet specific, nationally accepted standards regarding organizational functioning and patient care.”

The total approximate amount for the grant award period, which ranges from one to three years, is $3 million. First-year funding totals nearly $1 million. The three awards are for up to almost $1 million the first year and are renewable for up to three years in all. Continuation of these awards is subject to availability of funds and progress achieved by awardees.

Grants were made to:

The Joint Commission, Oakbrook Terrace, Ill. -- $435,000 in first-year funding to provide accreditation and re-accreditation services and education to more than 300 OTPs nationwide. Accreditation services include the provision of written and electronic materials to assist OTPs with accreditation preparation, surveys, accreditation decision reports and periodic performance reviews.

The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation, Tucson, Ariz. -- $500,000 in first-year funding to continue to publish and maintain accreditation standards of quality; recruit, train and retain a cadre of experienced surveyors; conduct on-site accreditation surveys of OTPs to determine conformance to the commission’s standards and to provide consultation; and provide technical assistance, and regional training on standards and the accreditation process.

The National Commission on Correctional Health Care, Chicago -- $39,500 in first-year funding to provide quality accreditation services that will help promote improved health access and services to incarcerated populations and will promote a plan for OTPs to be self-sufficient in maintaining their accreditation status. Quality of care and expansion of services will remain priorities among accredited OTPs.

For additional information about this grant and other SAMHSA programs, please visit www.samhsa.gov.

SAMHSA is a public health agency within the Department of Health and Human Services. The agency is responsible for improving the accountability, capacity and effectiveness of the nation's substance abuse prevention, addictions treatment, and mental health services delivery system.

Page Last Updated: 9/9/2008