TACHC has continuously supported the efforts of community health centers in Texas obtaining accreditation by the JCAHO. Currently, Texas has 24 centers that have earned accreditation, the highest number of accredited FQHC's in any state.

In the past, TACHC has provided extensive regional training on JCAHO to centers, which included mock surveys and other technical assistance. Currently, TACHC provides technical assistance by phone and assists in identifying specialized consultants for on-site technical assistance. In addition, TACHC has developed an on-line video series to assist centers with their initial accreditation or reaccreditation efforts.

The BPHC and JCAHO, in a joint effort, continue to support the efforts of FQHC's to seek initial accreditioan by covering survey fees as indicated. The BPHC will cover the costs of the Ambulatory Care survey fee; if applicable, the Behavioral Health survey fee; if applicable and concurrent with the ambulatory care survey, the Laboratory Services survey fee; and applicable extension survey fees. For more information on this initiative, please contact Lon Berkeley, Project Director, Community Health Center Accreditation, JCAHO at (630) 792-5787 or at lberkeley@jcaho.org.

For information on JCAHO's new accreditation process, Shared Visions-New Pathways, see www.jcaho.org.