News

February 1, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Susan Rittenhouse, Corporate Compliance Officer
502-589-8615, ex. 1171

Seven Counties Services, Inc. Awarded
Accreditation from the Joint Commission

Louisville, KY, 02/01/2007 - By demonstrating compliance with The Joint Commission's national standards for health care quality and safety, Seven Counties Services, Inc. has earned the Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval™.

"We sought accreditation for our organization because we want to demonstrate our commitment to our clients' safety and quality care," says Seven Counties Services' CEO Howard F. Bracco, Ph.D. "We view obtaining Joint Commission accreditation as another step toward achieving excellence. This award is the product of our staff - a dedicated, hard-working, and highly-trained group of caring professionals."

"Seven Counties Services' accreditation achievement is a demonstration of the organization's leadership and staff commitment to excellence," says Mary Cesare-Murphy, Ph.D., executive director, Behavioral Health Care Accreditation Program, The Joint Commission. "Joint Commission accreditation requires organization-wide dedication to providing safe, client-focused care, treatment and services."

The Joint Commission conducted unannounced, on-site evaluations of Seven Counties Services the week of December 11, 2006. The accreditation award recognizes Seven Counties Services' dedication to complying with the Joint Commission's state-of-the-art standards on a continuous basis.

Founded in 1951, The Joint Commission seeks to continuously improve the safety and quality of care provided to the public through the provision of health care accreditation and related services that support performance improvement in health care organizations. The Joint Commission evaluates and accredits nearly 15,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States, including more than 8,000 hospitals and home care organizations, and more than 6,800 other health care organizations that provide long term care, assisted living, behavioral health care, laboratory and ambulatory care services. The Joint Commission also accredits health plans, integrated delivery networks, and other managed care entities. In addition, the Joint Commission provides certification of disease-specific care programs, primary stroke centers, and health care staffing services. An independent, not-for-profit organization, the Joint Commission is the nation's oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care.

Seven Counties Services, Inc. is a private, non-profit corporation that provides planning, prevention, treatment, and support in the areas of mental illness, developmental disabilities, addictions, and abuse in Jefferson, Bullitt, Shelby, Spencer, Henry, Oldham, and Trimble counties. More than 1,400 clinical and administrative staff members create and deliver quality services to approximately 30,000 individuals each year. For more information about Seven Counties Services, Inc., please visit www.sevencounites.org or contact Dean Johnson, Public Information Coordinator, at 502-589-8615, extension 1197 or DJohnson2@sevencounties.org.