St. Joseph’s and Citizen Advocates Earn National Recognition for Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Programs
Citizen Advocates has earned a prestigious three-year accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) for its Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHC)—a first in the agency’s history.
This milestone comes on the heels of a renewed three-year accreditation for partner agency St. Joseph’s Addiction Treatment & Recovery Centers’ inpatient and outpatient addiction treatment services, first accredited by CARF in 2002.
Citizen Advocates and St. Joseph’s have earned this national recognition from CARF for delivering compassionate, high-quality care that puts individuals first—whether in recovery, seeking mental health support or building a healthier future. This accreditation means patients in our communities can trust they are receiving convenient, easy-to-navigate care that not only meets the highest clinical standards, but also supports their dignity, safety and overall well-being.
Aligning Standards Across the Network
“Joint accreditation ensures that individuals and families across our network receive care that is effective, consistent and coordinated,” said Jennifer Rowledge-DiTullio, Associate Vice President of Operations. “We’re raising the standard for behavioral health services by aligning practices across agencies, improving outcomes and strengthening continuity of care.”
The CARF accreditation process is rigorous, involving a comprehensive review of clinical care, governance and operational effectiveness. Citizen Advocates began preparing for accreditation in early 2024 and underwent an on-site survey in April 2025. The resulting accreditation covers all six of Citizen Advocates’ CCBHC clinics—outpatient clinics in Malone, Massena and Saranac Lake, and 24/7 locations in Malone, Ogdensburg and Watertown.
St. Joseph’s, which has maintained CARF accreditation for over two decades, played a vital role in guiding Citizen Advocates through the process. Staff across both agencies shared expertise, aligning policies and practices while leveraging shared governance structures under their existing management services agreement.
The network’s Compliance team was instrumental in the cross-agency collaboration that made joint accreditation possible, working hand-in-hand with Citizen Advocates’ Behavioral Health leadership and St. Joseph’s Operations team to meet evolving CARF standards.
“The success of these accreditations reflects the dedication and coordination of teams across both agencies,” said Sara Cook, Network Senior Director of Compliance & Human Resources. “Our teams were deeply committed to the process—from refining policies to gathering documentation—and the result is a stronger, more unified approach to care.”
A Shared Commitment to Excellence
St. Joseph’s accreditation covers its flagship 67-bed inpatient addiction treatment program and the Col. C. David Merkel, M.D. Veterans and First Responders Residential Program—both located in Saranac Lake—as well as its four outpatient clinics in Keeseville, Malone, Saranac Lake and Ticonderoga.
According to CARF’s survey report on St. Joseph’s, staff deliver care “with integrity and transparency,” cultivating an environment where “clients expressed feeling safe and supported by trustworthy staff members.” That same culture of compassion extends across the Citizen Advocates Network.
In its survey report on Citizen Advocates, CARF identified Fieldstone Foundation’s Backpack Program and Meals with Meaning fundraiser as two of Citizen Advocates’ organizational strengths—highlighting the network’s commitment not only to clinical excellence, but to addressing the social determinants of health that impact overall well-being.
“There’s a real sense of pride in earning this recognition,” Ms. Rowledge-DiTullio said. “Citizen Advocates is now one of only three agencies in New York State—and the only provider in Upstate New York—to receive CARF accreditation for its CCBHC clinics. It speaks volumes about the quality and impact of the care we provide every day.”
Together, these accreditations reflect a shared commitment to continuous improvement, person-centered care and building healthier communities through integrated behavioral health services.
For more information about Citizen Advocates’ and St. Joseph’s behavioral health programs, please visit citizenadvocates.net and stjoestreatment.org.