How to Get Accredited for Residential Treatment

Residential treatment facilities provide an invaluable service to people dealing with serious addictions. While no one wants to be in the situation where they need a residential treatment facility, people who pass through a good one are usually grateful for the help they receive. Most states have regulatory oversight of residential treatment programs and require you to obtain a license to operate. They're looking to ensure patients receive quality care in a safe environment from legitimate, qualified professionals.

Instructions

• 1

  Review your state laws on residential treatment facilities. Most state departments of health oversee their licensing. Some states, including Texas, have no specific licensing requirements for residential treatment programs that do not provide any medical services. If treatment is strictly psychological and behavioral and there are no minors admitted, then a facility may proceed with only local business licensing. In other states, such as California and Washington, licensing is required no matter what.

• 2

  Study the requirements for the facility itself. Some states, such as Washington, care about building specification. Adequate personal space, sanitation standards, entrance locations, size and location all matter to the Washington Department of Health.

• 3

  Hire a contractor to make changes to the house or medical facility you plan to use for your residential treatment program in order to come into line with state requirements. Select someone with experience in residential or medical facilities. Ask your contractor and your municipality about any required building permits when making your changes. Being out of compliance with local building permits could jeopardize your ability to obtain a state license for your facility's operation.

• 4

  Identify your key clinical staff such as psychologists, psychiatrists and addictions counselors. Licensing applications require detailed information about your clinical professionals including their experience, licenses, educations and backgrounds.

• 5

  Prepare a detailed business plan for your residential treatment facility. Most states, including California and Washington, want to know the specific number of rooms and beds you will operate. They also want to know, among other things, the total staff size, clinical staff size, average length of treatment, treatment philosophy, rates charges, diagnoses you will treat, how meals will be offered, if there will be restraints used, how you will provide for patient safety and your emergency procedures. The more detailed your plan, the smoother your license application process will go.

• 6

  Complete an application from your state. They often are in excess of eight pages and require supplemental information such as staff credentials, facility specifications and business or operation plans. Submit all of this with the required application fee.

• 7

  Prepare for the interviews and site visits that typically follow application submission. Most states will contact you for a site visit, at which time they will review both the physical plant as well as your program design. Be prepared to address any concerns about staff, methodology or facility design. You may want to have clinical staff members and your contractor available to call in if needed. You may need to make adjustments to your plans or facility per the state official's advice before you receive your approval.