Aquila Recovery, a D.C.-area outpatient rehabilitation facility for those with substance abuse problems, announced this month it has received The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for Behavioral Health Care Accreditation.
The seal is in recognition of Aquila’s commitment to providing safe and effective care.
“Our team continues to push state of the art practices — striving to excel in crafting individual treatments, recognizing whole health issues and developing long-term engagements,” said Aquila founder and veteran recovery advocate Johnny W. Allem. “We are very honored for this recognition, becoming the first addiction treatment organization in the D.C. market to achieve Joint Commission accreditation.”
Established in 1969, the accreditation program currently accredits more than 2,250 organizations for a three-year period. Accredited organizations provide treatment and services for individuals who have mental health, addiction, eating disorder, intellectual/developmental disability, or child welfare needs.
The commission observed the Northwest facility for four days in October, taking note of its care, treatment and screening procedures, as well as interviewing staff.
Julia Finken, executive director of The Joint Commission’s Behavioral Health Care Accreditation Program, said the accreditation “provides behavioral health care organizations with the processes needed to improve in a variety of areas related to the care of individuals and their families.”
“We commend Aquila Recovery Clinics for their efforts to elevate the standard of care they provide and to instill confidence in the community they serve,” Finken said.
Aquila Recovery was founded in 2011 by Allem, the former director of operations of DC Department of Mental Health who also served as president of the Johnson Institute.
Its management team includes Robert Coffey, executive director; Nike Hamilton, clinical director; and Dr. Moira Bogrov, medical director.