VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System

Veteran speaking to mental health personnel.

The Mental Health Service (MHS) at VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System (VASNHCS) offers a variety of resources, information and treatment options to Veterans dealing with mental health conditions and other challenges. The service prides itself on delivering world-class, patient-centered care. Now, they have a seal of approval that formally attests to their ability to care for America’s heroes.

After a long and rigorous process, which included coordination and support from staff, Veterans, community partners, executive leadership and experts across the facility, MHS has earned a much sought-after three-year accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). CARF is an independent, nonprofit accreditor of health and human services and its accreditation represents the highest level of accreditation that can be given to an organization or service and demonstrates substantial adherence to CARF standards.

Dr. Jessica Peltan, deputy chief of VASNHCS MHS, says the accreditation reflects a commitment to provide world-class care to Veterans. “This was a significant undertaking and the outcome is reflective of provision of excellence in care for our Veterans,” said Dr. Peltan. “This accreditation also reflects and supports the focus on continuous process improvement.”

MHS underwent a three-day on-site survey in the middle of December 2020, during which the service had to demonstrate compliance with approximately 1,500 standards across all programs. Surveyors specifically looked at the service’s homeless programs along with programs for Veterans with serious mental illness.

Yohance Humphery is a licensed clinical social worker who has been part of the MHS team since May 2018. He supervises 3 out of the 5 programs surveyed: Psychosocial Rehabilitation Center (PRRC); Rural Access Network for Growth Enhancement (RANGE) Program; and VHA Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS). Among many tasks, he was responsible for the education and ongoing communication with VASNHCS staff to support their understanding of CARF standards and their application within service delivery of patient care.

Yohance thinks MHS entered the accreditation process in a good place, “Fortunately, the programs seeking accreditation already had a very solid foundation on which to build. The biggest challenge was the creation, implementation and ongoing review of program policy, processes and procedures related to conformance with CARF standards for 3 different programs.”

For Yohance, the road to accreditation was long and challenging, and wouldn’t have happened without a team effort, “I would just like to highlight the significant time, energy, hard work, effort and commitment shown by all VASNHCS staff associated with the accreditation process.” Additionally, Yohance is quick to note that none of it would have happened without “the brave men and women that participate in our programs, who face their challenges head-on and are willing to give us feedback because without them we would be unable to gain the perspective needed to make changes relevant to those we serve.”

The majority of work accomplished by Yohance and the rest of the MHS team to earn accreditation wouldn’t necessarily be visible to those brave men and women mentioned by Yohance, but they certainly do benefit from it. For instance, using valid and reliable measurement-based care tools along with discussions with Veterans serve to reinforce positive clinical outcomes, as Veterans are aware in real time how they are progressing on the recovery continuum. This data is also used by program staff to identify and develop opportunities to improve service delivery.

In addition, Veterans surveyed reported that they are exceptionally happy with the level of input they have in developing their recovery plans, that care coordination between program staff and medication providers is good and that the coordination of care with other programs and services outside the scope of the specific programs surveyed is of excellent quality. One Veteran shared with Yohance, “My case manager helped me see that recovery is a process, and our weekly meetings show me that I’m actually making progress.” Another Veteran sees a brighter future, “They have helped me a lot and I think I may be able to go back to work. I’m definitely getting the right kind of care.”

An organization receiving a three-year accreditation from CARF has put itself through a rigorous peer review process. It has demonstrated to a team of surveyors during an on-site visit its commitment to offering programs and services that are measurable, accountable and of the highest quality.

Yohance says MHS will remain focused on providing top-notch care to Veterans and meeting CARF standards. The MHS team worked hard to earn CARF accreditation and Yohance says that seal of approval is something they intend to maintain. Doing so, he says, “ensures MHS continues to provide the highest possible quality of services to the Veterans we are proud to serve.”