We did it.

Joint Commission Accreditation

By achieving The Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval®, Gateway joins the nation's highest quality healthcare providers for its care, treatment and safety standards.

As a state leader in foster care, school mental health and financial counseling services for children and families, Gateway has become the first agency of its kind in Alabama to achieve The Joint Commission Accreditation.

Gateway has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Behavioral Health Care Accreditation by demonstrating continuous compliance with its rigorous performance standards. The Gold Seal of Approval® is a symbol of quality that reflects an organization’s commitment to providing safe and effective care for the children and families they serve.   

“As physical and behavioral healthcare continue to integrate, we strategically chose The Joint Commission Accreditation to take Gateway's services to the highest levels of care, quality and safety.  Though we are not required by an external funder or regulation to attain these standards of performance, the children and families we serve deserve nothing less."

Kathryn R. O'Day, LCSW
Gateway President and CEO

Gateway’s voluntary decision to rise to this level of care reflects the spirit of its founders in 1891. Before the child welfare system existed, a group of courageous community leaders voluntarily cared for the homeless children on the streets of Birmingham. They founded the Magic City’s first child and family service agency, and 128 years later its Board of Directors continues this commitment to community solutions.

Results Since Gateway's Initial Survey:

Client Satisfaction

More than 90 percent of surveyed clients are satisfied with the quality of Gateway services.

Staff Safety

100 percent of surveyed staff agree that they feel safe in Gateway's facilities and with Gateway's staff.

Proven Outcomes

23 families have stayed together through counseling services, 19 foster youth have found forever families and 23 foster youth have enrolled in college and are employed.

What our Board is saying.

Tom Thompson, Board Chairman

"I serve on Gateway’s Board of Directors, because I get to be part of an organization that has changed the lives of children and families for 128 years. The Joint Commission giving its Gold Seal of Approval® is a strong indication that our services and outstanding staff are moving the needle for children and families."

Keith Carter, Board Member

“We are determined to continue the efforts of our founders and ensure children in our community have the services they need. This is a significant milestone in Gateway’s long history of impact.”

Denson Franklin, III, Board Member

“Gateway is in the business of transforming lives, and The Joint Commission is a clear best choice to support that business. We do extremely challenging work, and The Joint Commission standards and survey process helps us ensure client safety."

Maeci Walker, Board Member

“The group of visionary women who founded Gateway in 1891 pioneered children’s services in Alabama. I know they would be proud of what we have done in 2019 by achieving this level of accreditation.”

What The Joint Commission says:

The Joint Commission commends Gateway for voluntarily rising to its accreditation and achieving its performance standards:

“Joint Commission 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 Gateway for its efforts to elevate the standard of care it provides and to instill confidence in the community it serves.” 

Julia Finken, RN, BSN, MBA, CSSBB, CPHQ
Executive Director, Behavioral Health Accreditation Program
The Joint Commission