Accreditation in Behavioral Health
Posted by: CQL on 12/29/2006
Filed under: Illinois
GROW in Illinois
The Situtation
GROW is an international mental health movement with a network of member-run support groups in four different countries, including the USA, Australia, New Zealand and Ireland. GROW in America is fully developed in Illinois and New Jersey.
GROW in Illinois is a not-for-profit mental health organization run by its members and substantially funded by the Department of Mental Health. GROW has been active in Illinois for 26 years and currently has a network of 115 mutual help groups across the state. Among these are general GROW groups that meet at community venues and groups for special populations that meet in professionally-operated facilities.
The Illinois Residential Center, located in Kankakee, Illinois, offers a GROW recovery model for individuals who need intensive support and training and a structured living environment. The Residential Center is a 24-hour program, operating in a family-like setting and based on the GROW concept of organized, friendly, mutual help.
GROW decided to pursue CQL Accreditation as an external review of its services.
What CQL Did
CQL customized its accreditation methodolgy to be relevant to this non-traditional service setting. We took in account the unique mission of this organization, built on the foundations of mutual self-help and support.
The GROW Residential Program has been CQL Accredited since 1998.
“The review process was both informative and affirming for our organization … staff and residents and [CQL Staff] … assisted the staff in formulating several goals for the coming years which can help us improve our services and program. All in all, the experience was satisfying and worthwhile … We appreciate the work of “the Council” and look forward to future collaboration.”
Carol Mussey, President, GROW in America