They work hard day in and day out for the welfare of children and families all across the region, and now after another intense round of work, a local organization has garnered the national accreditation status they’ve been diligently in search of.
Child & Family Services of Southwestern Michigan, Inc. has achieved national accreditation through the New York-based Council on Accreditation (COA).
COA accreditation is an objective, independent, and reliable validation of an agency’s performance. The COA accreditation process involves a detailed review and analysis of an organization’s administration, management, and service delivery functions against international standards of best practice. The standards driving accreditation ensure that services are well-coordinated, culturally competent, evidence-based, outcomes-oriented, and provided by a skilled and supported workforce.
COA accreditation demonstrates accountability in the management of resources, sets standardized best practice thresholds for service and administration, and increases organizational capacity and accountability by creating a framework for ongoing quality improvement.
To achieve COA accreditation, CFS first provided written evidence of compliance with the COA standards. Thereafter, a group of specially trained volunteer Peer Reviewers confirmed adherence to these standards during a series of on-site interviews with the Board of Directors, team members, clients and community representatives. Based on their findings, COA’s volunteer-based Accreditation Commission voted that CFS had successfully met the criteria for accreditation through May 31, 2021.
Founded in 1977, COA is an independent, not-for-profit accreditor of the full continuum of community-based behavioral health care and social service organizations in the United States and Canada. Over 2,000 organizations have either successfully achieved COA accreditation or are currently engaged in the process. Presently, COA has a total of 47 service standards that are applicable to over 125 different types of programs.
COA is the only national accreditor designated by the U.S. Department of Defense to develop accreditation standards and processes for human service programs provided to military personnel and their families.
Founded locally in 1891 and in its 126th year of continuous service, CFS supports vulnerable people so they thrive in safe and loving homes; in addition, the organization helps empower all generations to improve quality of life. CFS programs include Autumn House Adult Day Services; Harbor House Adult Day Services; Helping Hands Adult Homecare Services; Safe Shelter for Domestic Violence; and West Michigan Guardianship.
