The Residential Eating Disorders Consortium Introduces STEP

The Emily Program is pleased to announce that the Residential Eating Disorders Consortium (REDC) has released the Standards of Excellence Project (STEP), a collection of works demonstrating REDC’s continued commitment to raising eating disorder industry standards.

What is the REDC?

Founded in 2011, the Residential Eating Disorders Consortium (REDC) is the only national professional association for eating disorder treatment providers. The REDC represents the majority of eating disorder industry leaders, with roughly 80% of treatment programs as members (including The Emily Program!). With this network of field leaders, the REDC raises the bar for industry standards and professionalism by offering members a seat at the table for the most critical discussions in the industry. Members of the REDC learn from each other and share resources, advancing eating disorder treatment across America.

In addition to improving eating disorder best practices, the REDC believes in advocating for care for vulnerable populations, notably those with eating disorders. The REDC has also positively influenced Capitol Hill, ensuring greater access to eating disorder care for all patients. Two prominent accomplishments of the REDC have been the Affordable Care Act and the 21^st Century Cures Act.

The Affordable Care Act: The REDC advocated for the inclusion of essential health benefit regulatory provisions after the passage of the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. This expanded coverage for individuals with mental health disorders. Currently, the REDC is working to stabilize the Affordable Care Act in order to maintain coverage for pre-existing conditions and to keep the essential health benefits.

The 21^st Century Cures Act: In 2016, the REDC and other leaders succeeded in passing the 21^st Century Cures Act, which included parts of the Anna Westin Act.

The Standards of Excellence Project (STEP)

The next exciting step in REDC’s advocacy is the release of the Standards of Excellence Project, which is a collection of works that depict the REDC’s continued commitment to raising the industry standard of quality and ethics. The four major components of STEP include:

1. Defining an Eating Disorders Center of Excellence: The REDC’s Center of Excellence defines best practices across the eating disorder treatment field. It serves as a blueprint for treatment programs that aspire to be best-in-class in regards to service, ethics, and industry standards.
2. Marketing Best Practices: The REDC’s Marketing Best Practices guide offers clear ways for members to evaluate and improve their marketing standards. With these best practices in mind, programs are expected to communicate critical, clear, and substantive information about services and treatment.
3. REDC Code of Ethics: The REDC created a Code of Ethics for member organizations. This document aims to ensure high standards of care while valuing transparency to members of the public.
4. Standards of Excellence of Medical Care for People with Eating Disorders: The REDC offers a Standards of Excellence of Medical Care document that outlines specific criteria for admitting patients to a hospital versus a residential treatment program. REDC’s ongoing policy is to provide care in the best interest of the patient.

STEP exemplifies the most robust and concise declaration of patient-centered values, beliefs, and principles to date. By setting the bar this high, the REDC pushes members to continue advocating for patients through every platform possible, from Capitol Hill to direct outreach.

At The Emily Program, we believe in the REDC’s continued advocacy efforts because we know they can create change in the eating disorder field. Together, we can make a difference and offer patients and families healing and hope. On behalf of The Emily Program, thank you to all REDC members and others who support creating lasting change for those suffering from eating disorders.