NCCHC History - National Commission on Correctional Health Care
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NCCHC History

NCCHC Historical Time Line

1973

The AMA publishes results of its survey of health care in jails, and confirms a lack of services and standards. The AMA’s board of trustees allocates $50,000 to plan a remedial program.

1973

1975

With funding from the Department of Justice’s Law Enforcement Assistance Administration, the AMA’s Jail Program is launched. Six state medical societies (Georgia, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Washington and Wisconsin) are selected as subgrantees and they in turn select jails in their states to serve as pilot sites. A total of 30 jails are chosen.

1975

1976

The first standards for health services in jails are developed as part of the AMA Jail Program and tested in the pilot sites. The AMA tests the nation’s first accreditation program in corrections.

1976

1977

Sixteen of the pilot jails are accredited as meeting the AMA’s health care standards. The AMA holds the first National Conference on Improved Medical Care and Health Services in Jails.

1977

1979

The AMA publishes the first sets of health standards for prisons and juvenile confinement institutions. The program is now in 23 states.

1979

1982

The program moves outside the AMA with funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. In addition to the AMA, 21 other organizations name individuals to participate as an advisory body. The first prison receives accreditation. A technical assistance program is developed (initially on the topics of receiving screening and suicide prevention).

1982

1983

The program evolves into the National Commission on Correctional Health Care, and is incorporated in Illinois and federally designated a not-for-profit, tax-exempt 501 (c)(3) organization. Bernard Harrison is named its president and B. Jaye Anno its secretary-treasurer.

1983

1984

The first juvenile confinement facilities are accredited

1984

1986

The first Award of Merit recipient is named: Alan R. Nelson, AMA representative and founding member of the NCCHC board.

1986

1987

NCCHC publishes the premiere issue of CorrectCare, the country’s first national periodical dedicated to the growing field of correctional health care.

1987

1989

NCCHC assumes sponsorship of the Journal of Prison and Jail Health; this later is replaced by NCCHC’s peer-reviewed Journal of Correctional Health Care.

1989

1990

The Certified Correctional Health Professional (CCHP) board of trustees is established and administers its first examination

1990

1991

Bernard Harrison retires and Robert Burmeister is hired as the new president.

1991

1993

The first CCHP-Advanced examination is given. Annual awards are established for Facility of the Year and Program of the Year. Edward Harrison is hired as president.

1993

1998

NCCHC establishes the Award of Excellence in Correctional Health Care Communications (later to be renamed the B. Jaye Anno Award of Excellence in Communication).

1998

1999

NCCHC publishes Correctional Mental Health Care: Standards and Guidelines for Delivering Services with assistance from the American Psychological Association.

1999

2000

A second annual conference, held in the spring, is launched.

2000

2001

NCCHC publishes its first set of clinical guidelines for correctional health care.

2001

2002

The National Institute of Justice releases NCCHC’s report The Health Status of Soon-to-Be- Released Inmates, a seminal national research project that provided Congress with policy recommendations focused on correctional health, public health and inmate reentry.

2002

2003

NCCHC cofounders Bernard Harrison and B. Jaye Anno receive the Institute of Medicine’s Gustav O. Lienhard award for their visionary work at NCCHC that improved the public health.

2003

2004

Annual summer conferences on mental health care are inaugurated. Standards for opioid treatment programs are developed, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration designates NCCHC as one of only a handful of approved bodies to accredit opioid treatment programs in the United Sates.

2004

2008

Standards for Mental Health Services in Correctional Facilities is published, based on the mental health guidelines first published in 1999.

2008

2009

 NCCHC holds the first Medical Directors Boot Camp in cooperation with the Society of Correctional Physicians (the program later becomes the Correctional Health Care Leadership Institutes). The CCHP program launches specialty certification for registered nurses.

2009

2013

The CCHP program begins specialty certification for mental health professionals. The board establishes the R. Scott Chavez Memorial Library to honor NCCHC’s long-time vice-president and former board member.

2013

2014

After 27 years at NCCHC (21 as president), Edward Harrison retires. NCCHC creates NCCHC Resources, Inc., a nonprofit organization that provides consulting and other assistance to correctional facilities.

2014

2015

The CCHP program introduces specialty certification for physicians. CHORDS-QI, a collaborative quality improvement initiative, is launched.

2015

2016

NCCHC holds the first two trainings for medical directors at state departments of corrections, emphasizing the NCCHC standards. The first training leads to the formation of the State Medical Directors’ Executive Network (SMDEN). The National Conference celebrates 40 years and the CCHP program celebrates its 25th anniversary.

2016

2017

The CCHP program launches computer-based testing with test sites nationwide.

2017

2018

An online community, NCCHC Connect, is launched. The Young Professionals Committee is established, along with a Young Professional Award.

2018

2019

The CCHP-A program celebrates its 25th anniversary. A new annual award, Surveyor of the Year, is introduced. Deborah Ross is named CEO.

2019

2020

The COVID-19 pandemic leads to several innovations: virtual and blended accreditation surveys; virtual conferences; online certification testing and on-demand CCHP review courses. CCHP-RN celebrates its 10th anniversary. NCCHC launches the NCCHC Foundation, which receives its first grant in November.

2020

2021

A new award is introduced: The Edward A Harrison Award of Excellence in Correctional Health Care Leadership. CCHP celebrates its 30th anniversary.

2021

2022

NCCHC releases a new revision of Standards for Health Services in Juvenile Detention and Confinement Facilities.

2022

2023

CCHP-CP (clinical provider) for physicians, nurse practitioners, and PAs replaces CCHP-P specialty certification for physicians, reflecting the changing nature of primary care.

2023