NCIA Earns Highest Level National Accreditation for Supporting People with Dual Diagnosis 

National Association for the Dually Diagnosed recognizes NCIA for excellence in care for those with co-occurring intellectual and developmental disabilities and mental health needs

Baltimore, Md. – NCIA has earned a three-year accreditation, the highest level awarded, from the National Association for the Dually Diagnosed (NADD) for services supporting people with co-occurring intellectual and developmental disabilities and mental health needs. The accreditation applies to NCIA’s Behavioral Support Services, Community Living Residential Services, and Meaningful Day Services.

NADD is a national organization that sets best practice standards for organizations serving individuals with co-occurring intellectual or developmental disabilities and mental health conditions. Three-year accreditation is the top tier and is awarded only to programs that demonstrate strong evidence of meeting and exceeding standards across critical areas of care.

As part of the review process, NCIA was evaluated in 18 areas, including medication reconciliation, holistic and individualized treatment planning, crisis prevention and intervention, ethics and rights protections, cultural responsiveness, and cross-systems collaboration. Surveyors identified significant evidence that NCIA meets and, in several areas, exceeds best practice standards.

“Earning NADD’s three-year accreditation reflects the everyday work our teams do to deliver person-centered, evidence-informed support, especially for people with dual diagnosis,” said Karen Johnson, Vice President of Adult and Education Services at NCIA. “This recognition confirms that NCIA is committed to care that protects dignity, supports stability, and helps people build meaningful lives in the community.”

Co-occurring mental health needs among people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are common. NADD notes that most professionals accept that roughly 35 percent of people with intellectual disabilities experience mental health challenges. A peer-reviewed meta-analysis estimates the pooled prevalence of co-occurring psychiatric disorders in people with intellectual disability at 33.6 percent.

The accreditation reinforces NCIA’s long-standing commitment to supporting individuals with complex needs in community-based settings. NCIA is one of only three providers in Maryland to hold NADD accreditation at this level.

Families, support coordinators, and partners seeking services for individuals with co-occurring intellectual and mental health needs are encouraged to contact NCIA or visit www.ncia.org to learn more about available programs and partnership opportunities.

About NCIA
Founded in 1977, NCIA is dedicated to empowering people with limited access to opportunities to build fulfilling lives and stronger communities through unconditional support. Driven by the belief that everyone deserves a fair chance to succeed, NCIA provides a wide range of services, including vocational training, youth special education, and comprehensive offerings for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We help people who need the deepest levels of support, including those with mental health disorders, recovering from addiction or homelessness, unemployed or underemployed, veterans, and returning citizens. Headquartered in Baltimore, NCIA has become a trusted partner and a beacon of hope for over 25,000 individuals throughout Maryland and beyond. By promoting independence, financial stability, equity, and compassion, NCIA is changing lives, one person at a time. For more information, visit www.ncianet.org.