Barrins Bulletin
August 2025
Greetings to Our Colleagues in Behavioral Health!
Dear Clients and Readers,
I’m excited to share some important leadership updates at Barrins & Associates. As many of you know, approximately three years ago Barrins & Associates and Patton Healthcare Consulting joined forces with HBS to form the Accreditation & Regulatory Consulting division of HBS. This integration has been a successful partnership—broadening our expertise, strengthening our resources, and enhancing the services we provide to our clients.
For the past three years, Jennifer Cowel, RN, MHSA has served as Executive Vice President of the division, guiding our team with exceptional leadership and vision. As Jennifer begins her retirement journey, I am honored to assume executive leadership of the division.
I’m also delighted to welcome Yvonne Rockwood, MBA, MHA, CPHQ to our leadership team. In her new role, Yvonne will oversee the day-to-day operations of Barrins & Associates and lead our psychiatric hospital and community behavioral health services. She will also assume responsibility for our home care, skilled nursing facility, and health care staffing service lines, as well as Ambulatory Surgery Centers, Ambulatory Clinics, Acute Care Hospitals, and Disease-Specific Care services across a group of Western states. A trusted consultant with our team, Yvonne brings more than 30 years of leadership experience, including service with The Joint Commission, as Chief Operating Officer of a Southern California hospital, and as an administrator for home care and post-acute services. Her depth of expertise will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen and expand our services.
While I take on this new role, Jennifer will continue to lead day-to-day operations at Patton Healthcare Consulting, ensuring our clients there receive the same dedicated service and results they’ve come to expect.
We deeply appreciate your continued trust and partnership. With Jennifer, Yvonne, and me working closely together, we remain committed to delivering the highest level of service, collaboration, and results. I look forward to the opportunities ahead and the continued success of our work together. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or would like to connect.
Best Regards,
Julia Finken
RN, BSN, MBA, CPHQ, CLSSMBB
Executive Vice President
Your Partner in Accreditation Excellence
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TJC
“Accreditation 360: The New Standard,” a holistic, continuous readiness survey model set to begin January 1, 2026, with enhanced transparency and alignment with CMS Conditions of Participation.
DNV
Stroke Certification Standards Consolidated: As of August 1, 2025, DNV’s Integrated Stroke Center Program Requirements (25‑0) combine previously separate manuals (ASR, PSC, PSC+, CSC), simplifying certification pathways.
CIHQ
New Learning Event: CIHQ’s 2025 Accreditation & Regulatory Summit is now open for registration and offers 16 continuing education credits.
ACHC
- Gene & Cell Services Accreditation: Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy is the first to earn ACHC accreditation for Gene and Cell Services, along with multiple other pharmacy credentials, effective September 16, 2025-2028.
- CMS Deeming Authority Renewed: ACHC’s home health accreditation program retains CMS approval through 2031.
- Home Health Insights: A new article offers guidance on conducting a comprehensive assessment in home health under ACHC and Medicare standards.
COA
- Standards Update Available: COA has released its 2025 accreditation standards, reflecting updates from research, expert collaboration, and stakeholder feedback. Implementation began July 28, 2025.
- Webinar Opportunity: A free 30-minute introductory webinar to COA Accreditation is available — ideal for newcomers seeking to understand key concepts.
Keep accreditation planning future-focused. With Accreditation 360, EmPATH units, and telehealth expansion on the rise, review your emergency plans, communication systems, and high-risk policies now to stay aligned, ease stress, and strengthen compliance and care.
We were founded by Anne Barrins, former Joint Commission surveyor, and are succeeded by Julia Finken, former Joint Commission surveyor, Associate Director of Business Development for the Home Care Program, and Executive Director of Business Development for the Behavioral Health Care and Psychiatric Hospital Programs.
Congratulations Corner
We applaud our clients who have recently and successfully completed their Joint Commission Behavioral Health and Human Services and/or Hospital Accreditation Program Survey.
The achievement of such indicates an aptitude for quality and safety of care. Congratulations to your organization and staff!
Side by Side
San Anselmo, CA
Summit Behavioral Healthcare OhioHMAS
Cincinnati, OH
Welcome New Clients!
Barrins & Associates welcomes the following new clients:
- Millennium Respiratory Services, Whippany, NJ
- Willow Health, New York, NY
Hear What Our Clients Say
“Barrins & Associates helped us achieve initial TJC accreditation for our drug and alcohol rehab treatment program in Memphis, Tennessee. Their much-focused approach made the path to accreditation clear and achievable. We were so pleased with their work that we used them again when we opened Black Bear Lodge in Georgia. We highly recommend them to any behavioral health organization seeking top-notch TJC consultants.“
Paige Bottom, CEO
La Paloma Treatment Center
Memphis, TN
Are You Survey Ready?
At Barrins & Associates we can assist you to achieve and sustain accreditation and regulatory compliance in adherence to the TJC, DNV, CHIQ, ACHC, CARF, COA, and CMS, standards for psychiatric hospitals and community behavioral health and human services providers. Inquire today about our consulting services. We continue to support your journey toward accreditation and regulatory compliance.
Inquire today about our consulting services.
We continue to support your journey toward accreditation and regulatory compliance.