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NATSAP provides excellent information as well as networking opportunities for members. Also, unless a parent has an attorney or advocate, a parent is more likely to have their school district fund a placement if staff and clinicians at the chosen placement are affiliated with a professional organization such as NATSAP.

NATSAP members adhere to the highest standards of ethics and practices and must be licensed and/or accredited to qualify for membership. NATSAP represents the best in our industry, and we’d like you to join us in our efforts to represent all that is good in our field. As a member of NATSAP, you will have access to:

1. Government Relations & Advocacy - NATSAP works to develop, advance and implement the federal legislative objectives for our profession. We work with Congress to achieve these public policy objectives through government relations, policy development, political communications and grassroots advocacy. You will also have the opportunity to participate in our annual D.C. Fly-In and interact with Congressional members directly.
2. Principles of Good Practice - All NATSAP member programs pledge to adhere to our Principles of Good Practice, guidelines for excellence in the ownership and management of residential treatment centers, therapeutic boarding schools, and wilderness programs, and for the care and sensitivity with which they treat their clients and families.
3. NATSAP’s Regional and National conferences - With seven (7) Regional Conferences and an Annual National Conference, NATSAP offers many opportunities for mental health and allied professionals who work with children, adolescents and their families for:
   • Concurrent break-out sessions;
   • Unlimited networking and professional development opportunities;
   • Dynamic keynote speakers; and
   • Opportunities to hear about the latest methodologies in programs.
4. Visibility - NATSAP is typically the first point of contact for parents while exploring program options for their families. As such, each year NATSAP publishes the NATSAP directory (both in print and an electronic version) which lists NATSAP member programs, educational consultants, businesses, counselors. NATSAP also publishes two newsletters to keep members apprised of Association developments and activities (NATSAPPress) and innovations within programs (We Are NATSAP). Additionally, NATSAP members are encouraged to connect their website to the NATSAP site for more visibility to potential families.
5. Electronic Classified Ads- NATSAP’s website is the premier site for members to list open positions within our profession at NATSAP facilities.
6. Discounted Services - Including on-line education and inclusion in high-profile directories.
7. Public Relations – NATSAP currently works with Sheri Singer of Singer Communications to help with any and all Public Relations related issues for both the Association and for our programs. NATSAP utilizes social media to highlight our programs and keep in touch with members of the Association. The NATSAP PR Tool Kit is also available for all members to use.
8. Research - Take part in NATSAP’s research project headed by researchers at the University of New Hampshire, which provides up-to-date comparative data on outcomes, practices, and more. Each year, NATSAP publishes the Journal of Therapeutic Schools and Programs, which contains technical papers based upon case studies, research, and more.
9. Member Participation - As a member of NATSAP, members have the opportunity to volunteer on one of our many committees and have influence on the direction and future of your association. NATSAP also conducts various surveys throughout the year whose data is shared with members. Some of the information shared included: economic data, information on educational consultants, and more.
10. And much more!

NATSAP membership is voluntary and NATSAP requires that our member programs meet certain criteria before they can be approved as a member. Some therapeutic programs may not meet those requirements, or they may choose to not be a member of NATSAP for various reasons. Regardless of membership in NATSAP, we strongly believe that all programs serving adolescents should be licensed by their respective state or should have accreditation through a national accrediting body (ex: Accreditation Canada, AEE, DNV GL, TFA, Joint Commission, CARF, or COA).

Program and School Membership Qualifications

Programs applying for Full Membership must be in operation beginning with the first client admission for 2 years or more and must: (this category includes non-residential treatment programs)

• be licensed by the appropriate state agency authorized to set and oversee standards of therapeutic and/or behavioral healthcare for youth, adolescents, and young adults (required if serving clients under the age of 18)
• be accredited by one or more of the following: Accreditation Canada, AEE, CARF, COA, DNV GL, JCAHO, or TFA
• have therapeutic services with oversight by a qualified clinician
• aspire to the NATSAP Ethical Principles and Principles of Good Practice

Programs applying for Provisional Membership are in operation beginning with the first client admission at less than 2 years and must:

• be licensed by the appropriate state agency authorized to set and oversee standards of therapeutic and/or behavioral healthcare for youth, adolescents, and young adults (required if serving clients under the age of 18)
• be accredited by one or more of the following: Accreditation Canada, AEE, CARF, COA, DNV GL, JCAHO, or TFA
• have therapeutic services with oversight by a qualified clinician
• aspire to the NATSAP Ethical Principles and Principles of Good Practice

Individual Professional Membership Qualifications

Individual Professionals are those who participate in the common mission of promoting healthy growth and the personal well-being of program participants. The following professions qualify for this level of membership:

• Educational consultants
• Referring professionals
• Licensed counselors
• Psychiatrists
• Psychologists
• College/University Professors
• Therapists
• Lawyers

Affiliate Membership

The Affiliate Membership is reserved for organizations that provide services and products expressly designed to supplement services rendered by NATSAP member programs as well as organizations that provide services directly to NATSAP member programs. Examples of these organizations include:

• After care programs
• Psychiatric hospitals
• Transitional coaching
• Interventionists
• Transportation companies
• Food service providers
• Database management
• Outdoor clothing and/or equipment companies
• Continuing education providers
• Insurance providers

Program and School Membership Checklist:

• You MUST provide your Average Daily Census (ADC) number of the PREVIOUS YEAR (this is how your dues are calculated)
• A copy of the programs state license if serving clients under the age of 18
• Mission Statement
• Accreditation License/Letter for Accreditation Canada, Joint Commission, CARF, COA, AEE, DNV-GL, or TFA (at least one of these accreditations are required prior to applying for membership
• A copy of your lead clinician’s license AND resume (person overseeing clinical services provided by your program)
• A 300 word or less description of your program information and services for purpose of our directory
• A detailed description of your facility or a map
• You will be asked to describe several aspects of your psychotherapy services

Affiliate Membership Checklist:

• A copy of your license or certification if related to the mental health industry
• A 100-word or less description of your services for use in our directory

Individual Professional Membership Checklist:

• A copy of your license or certification if you provide mental health services
• A resume
• A short bio or description of services (visible online only)

• Program and school membership applications can take 4 to 6 weeks for approval on average to reach a decision
• Individual Professional membership can take 1 to 2 weeks to reach a decision
• Affiliate membership can take 1 to 2 weeks to reach a decision

The base fee is the starting rate of membership which ALL members will need to pay. The base fees are different across our levels of membership.

• Program School Membership - $4,000.00
• Individual Professional Membership - $103.00
• Affiliate Membership - $900.00

The focus of the Utah Chapter of NATSAP is to assist Utah programs in working more collectively and collaboratively with local state and government officials. In conjunction with our lobbyists from Sego Strategies, we will have the opportunity to have state lawmakers visit our programs and provide us a venue to share the needs of our industry. Our intention is to join committees with the Utah Department of Human Services on policies and procedures that affect our industry. Emphasis will be upon core rules review and many other outlined areas of concern.

In order to support the needs of the Utah Chapter of NATSAP, effective April 1, 2020, any program who conducts business in the state of Utah is required to pay an additional fee of $1,090.00 for the membership year. This fee will be solely designated to the lobbying efforts of the Utah Chapter of NATSAP. Please be advised that the Utah Chapter of NATSAP Fee cannot be pro-rated nor deducted as an ordinary business expense.

To calculate this fee, you should first determine the previous calendar year’s ADC. Adding the total number of service days provided for all clients in a calendar year and dividing that number by 365, derives ADC. A service day is all or any portion of a 24-hour period in which you provide service to one client.

Once you’ve determined your ADC for the previous year, if the number is over 10 (maximum of 130), you will multiply that number by the rate of $45.00 to determine your total fee amount due. Programs with an ADC of 10 or less do not pay a census fee.

Base fee + ADC fee = Membership dues total for the year

If in Utah, please add the Utah Chapter of NATSAP fee of $1,090.00

If joining after September, your base fee and ADC fee will be prorated. The Utah Chapter of NATSAP fee is not prorated.