Over the years, we have come to summarize our mission in just eight words:
        
Working collaboratively to efficiently meet our customers´ needs.

The idea is simple, but the implementation requires ongoing work.  In our service delivery environment, success is highly dependent upon our staff, including management, clinicians, and administrative staff.  Our goal is to hire the most qualified staff and contractors who are also compatible with our practice philosophy. One of our overriding goals is to create opportunities for shared success.  A supportive environment, passion for our work, and a commitment to continuous improvement/professional development are the foundation for long-term success.

Although many organizations have lofty goals and mission statements, most do not fulfill them.  We believe that we continue to walk the talk: Our continued growth over twenty-seven years (while similar organizations close down) is a concrete validation of our effort to practice what we preach. 

Collaborative, Clinician-Friendly Management Terry Dunivin, a clinical social worker, established AACS in 1981.  We have grown and been successful by hiring and supporting specialists who shared our vision and commitment to being the best at what we do. 

Ongoing Professional Skill Development has been identified as one of the attributes of the most successful mental health clinicians.  We have sponsored hundreds of continuing education programs and Terry Dunivin, CEO has presented many workshops on professional development.  We require and are committed to the ongoing professional development of our staff.

Administrative Mentoring  We have developed a peer-mentoring program to facilitate a successful transition to adapting and mastering our policies, procedures, and paperwork based on the best practices of our most successful clinicians. Our peer mentoring program is so unique and successful that it was cited as an exemplary practice during our last CARF clinic audit.

Partnerships with Payors and Referral Sources We continually work to build and strengthen relationships with key partners in the community.  We ask about their needs and do our best to design and deliver services to meet those needs.

Customer-Friendly Intake Calling for mental health services can be anxiety-provoking and frustrating for many people.  In 2008, we redesigned our intake process and have become industry leaders in best practices for intake processes. Currently, over 90% of callers schedule an appointment during their first phone call to our office; 86% are seen in less than a week.

Outstanding Billing We are not aware of any comparable organization that collects on 96% of authorized sessions from insurance companies.  We have a number of clinicians who collect 99-100% of what they bill. Our billing staff treat your money as if it were their money: They will do everything they can to make sure you get paid for your services.

Efficiency We do our best to only add work that is required or adds meaningful value.  We continue to strive to improve customer service, reimbursement rates (up 10% in 2008), collections, as well as manage cost.  We continue to refine data collection to know what we need to focus upon and to measure progress.

We work to anticipate where the field is moving and to lead rather than be pushed.  Currently, we are strengthening internal credentialing criteria, expanding evidence-based practices, and implementing validated, normed outcome measurement.