How We Verify Programs
A listing on this site is a record of what we were able to confirm from primary sources. It is not an endorsement, a ranking, or a statement that one program provides better care than another.
Contributor
Medical reviewer
- Published
- Updated
- Last reviewed
Fields we check
Verification is field-by-field. A record can be partially verified, with some fields confirmed and others left blank. We do not treat a program's marketing copy as confirmation of a clinical fact.
- Active license or certification where a state requires one for the service described
- Whether the program is currently accepting participants
- Physical location and stated service area
- Age eligibility
- Stated treatment focus, in the program's own terms
- Staff and clinical information the program publishes or confirms
- Payment and insurance information, stated conservatively
- Virtual eligibility, including which states a program says it can serve
- Date of the most recent verification check
Sources we accept
- State licensing or certification registries, where they are publicly searchable
- Federal or state agency directories and facility locators
- Accreditation body directories
- The program's own published materials, cited and dated
- Direct written confirmation from the program, recorded with the date
What we do not accept as verification
What each status means
| Feature | What it means |
|---|---|
| Verified | Core fields were confirmed against accepted sources on the date shown. |
| Partially verified | Some fields were confirmed; others remain blank pending sources. |
| Unverified | The record exists but has not yet been checked against accepted sources. |
| Demonstration example | A placeholder record used to build and test the site. It does not describe a real program and must not be used to make care decisions. |
Review cycle and corrections
Records carry the date they were last checked. Programs change hours, focus, and availability frequently, so a date is more useful than a badge. Programs and members of the public can request a correction at any time, and corrections are handled the same way regardless of who submits them.
Independence and money
Placement, ordering, and inclusion are not for sale. If a listing is ever sponsored or enhanced, it carries a visible disclosure on the listing itself, and sponsorship does not change how a record is verified or where it appears in filtered results.
Frequently asked questions
Does a listing mean a program is recommended?
No. A listing records what we could confirm about a program. It is not a recommendation, a ranking, or a judgment about quality of care.
Why are some fields blank?
Because we could not confirm them from an accepted source. We leave fields blank rather than filling them with assumptions or marketing language.
How can a program correct its information?
Use the correction request page. We ask for the specific field, the correct information, and a source we can check.
Sources and references
We cite government agencies, professional bodies, and peer-reviewed research. Entries marked below still need a citation attached before this page is treated as fully sourced.
- 1.988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — National crisis line