Reputation & Quality

 U.S. News & World Report

Sheppard Pratt Health System was again named one of the nation's top psychiatric hospitals by U.S. News & World Report in its 2019-20 Best Hospitals rankings. We have been consistently ranked among the top hospitals in the country for psychiatry for nearly 30 years.

Joint Commission

The Joint Commission accredits and certifies nearly 21,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States. Joint Commission accreditation and certification is recognized nationwide as a symbol of quality that reflects an organization's commitment to meeting certain performance standards. Sheppard Pratt Health System is accredited by Joint Commission for its hospital-based and behavioral health programs. 

Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF)

CARF is an independent, nonprofit accrediting body whose mission is to promote the quality, value, and optimal outcomes of services through a consultative accreditation process that centers on enhancing the lives of the persons served. Receiving a 3-year accreditation demonstrates our commitment to offering programs and services that are measurable, accountable, and of the highest quality. Sheppard Pratt is one of only seven providers within Maryland with accreditation for both psychiatric rehabilitation and outpatient treatment services. We are also accredited for for outpatient treatment within our education and school-based programs.

Healthy Families America (HFA)

HFA is a signature program of Prevent Child Abuse America (PCA), providing home visiting services for more than 20 years. The accreditation process is based upon a stringent set of 12 critical elements ground in more than 30 years of research and includes an in-depth examination of the site's operation, as well as the quality of the visits made by HFA home visitors. In 2017, Healthy Families Montgomery (HFM) received re-accreditation as a provider of high-quality home visiting services.

Maryland EXCELS

Maryland EXCELS is the state's Quality Rating and Improvement System that awards ratings on a scale of 1 - 5 to child care and public Pre-K programs that meet increasingly higher standards in key areas identified nationally as contributing to the highest level of childcare and education. In March 2018, Watch Me Grow Child Development Center achieved the highest rating (5) by the Maryland State Department of Education. 

Alliance for Workplace Excellence

The Alliance for Workplace Excellence (AWE) honors companies and/or organizations who show an outstanding commitment to workplace quality. They are evaluated and selected based on culture and management practices, flexibility of work environment, and communication and employee engagement programs. In addition to receiving the Workplace Excellence Seal of Approval Award (2015 - 2019), we have received the Health & Wellness Award (2017 - 2019); the Diversity Champion Award (2016 - 2018); and the Certificate of Recognition: Best Practices Supporting Workers 50+ (2018 - 2019).

MSDE (Maryland State Department of Education)

Under the leadership of the State Superintendent of Schools and guidance from the Maryland State Board of Education, the Department develops and implements standards and policy for education programs from pre-kindergarten through high school. Accreditation is a process in which programs commit to continuous quality improvement to benefit children, families, and staff. Sheppard Pratt has several MSDE accredited child development centers located in Maryland.

Trauma-Informed Care (via the National Council for Behavioral Health)

The National Council's trauma-informed care initiatives help hundreds of organizations across the country map out and operationalize a plan for delivering trauma-informed care. In 2015, Family Services, Inc., which is part of Sheppard Pratt, was nationally recognized by the National Council for Behavioral Health as a Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) organization. As a TIC organization, it is acknowledged that we actively work to implement systems of care to cultivate a physical environment that is healthy and soothing. At the same time, we continue to create a 'behavioral environment' where staff convey dignity, respect, hopefulness, and the opportunity for choices and empowerments among consumers to occur.