BURLINGTON, VT — Howard Center’s Chittenden Clinic achieved a 3-year accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) in October. This is the highest level of accreditation available. The Chittenden Clinic is a Howard Center program in South Burlington providing medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and using a holistic approach to treatment with a focus on harm reduction and recovery.
CARF is an independent, nonprofit accreditor of health and human services. Its mission is to ensure the highest quality of services in health and human services through a peer-review process and by setting standards of excellence. CARF accreditation is globally recognized as a mark of quality, demonstrating an organization’s commitment to continually improving services, encouraging feedback, and serving the community.
The CARF accreditation was awarded after a thorough evaluation process in September. The CARF survey team identified areas where the Clinic met or exceeded standards, and identified opportunities to enhance services.
The CARF accreditation report highlighted that Howard Center’s Chittenden Clinic is forward-thinking and receptive to ideas for service improvement, consistently updating its practices to better meet current needs. The patients expressed high satisfaction with the services received. Howard Center and the Clinic have cultivated strong relationships with various community entities, including UVM Medical Center and local police.
Dr. Heidi Melbostad, Howard Center’s Director of Medication Assisted Treatment Programs, said, “We are incredibly proud to receive this accreditation from CARF. It is a reflection of our team’s hard work and dedication to providing the highest standard of care. This accreditation validates our efforts in creating a supportive, effective treatment environment for our clients and solidifies our commitment to excellence in addressing Opioid Use Disorder in our community.”
The accreditation serves as a testament to Chittenden Clinic’s high-quality services, providing a safe and respectful environment for people in recovery.
For more information, please visit HowardCenter.org or contact pdetzer@howardcenter.org.