Mission, Vision, History | President's Message | Board of Directors | Accountability/Structure Advocacy | Funding Opportunities | Career Opportunities | Annual Report | Contact bSAS

Accountability

The Baltimore City Health Department and its designated agent, Baltimore Substance Abuse Systems, Inc., (bSAS) administer the City’s substance abuse treatment system.  A number of recognized standards and entities  ensure accountability of bSAS and the programs it manages.

Board of Directors

bSAS is governed by a Board of Directors that includes representatives from government agencies, human services organizations, treatment providers, private foundations, representatives of the business community, and citizens.  The Board’s Allocations and Performance Evaluation Committees oversee the allocation of funds and the evaluation of the treatment system.

Financial Administration

A review of bSAS internal controls, accounting practices, compliance with federal, state, and local entities, financial payments, deposits and funding operations is conducted by an independent auditor.  All funded programs are also required to have independent audits.  bSAS reviews each audit report and makes site visits to survey fee collection practices, equipment inventory, and accounting records.

Grant Review

On an annual basis, a team representing bSAS, the Baltimore City Health Department, and the Board of Directors review proposals submitted by treatment and prevention programs.  The team examines program performance and financial operations, and makes recommendations on funding.

Licensure

All programs funded by bSAS are certified by the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the Health Care Quality Administration.  These programs are subject to requirements set forth by the Department’s Alcohol and Drug Abuse Administration and the Code of Maryland Regulations.  Medication-assisted treatment programs are required to comply with Federal Center for Substance Abuse Treatment and Drug Enforcement Administration regulations.

Program Monitoring

bSAS conducts monthly on-site monitoring of all bSAS-funded treatment programs to ensure they operate according to federal, state, and local regulations and offer high quality services.  bSAS Health Program Analysts examine treatment protocols, service utilization, staffing, fee collections, facilities management, and clinical treatment records.  They interview staff and patients.

Data Collection and Analysis

bSAS-funded treatment programs are connected through a data system managed by bSAS.  HIPPA-compliant demographic and service delivery data is collected, reported, and analyzed for planning, quality assurance, and accountability purposes, as well as to support other grant proposals.

“Drugstat” Performance Evaluation

Specific performance measures, including retention in treatment, service utilization, drug testing results, reduction in criminal activity, and improvements in employment and living situation are used to evaluate the quality and effectiveness of individual programs and the service system overall.

Scientific Advisory Committee

Baltimore is one of the few cities in the United States to convene a committee of nationally-recognized experts in substance abuse treatment and research to review and improve the City’s treatment system.

Treatment Evaluation

The Johns Hopkins University, Morgan State University, and the University of Maryland have evaluated Baltimore’s treatment expansion efforts and the impact of “treatment on request.”  bSAS also participated in the TOPPS II evaluation conducted by the Maryland Alcohol and Drug Abuse Administration (ADAA) and the Center for Substance Abuse Research (CESAR).