Children Services receives national reaccreditation

Lorain County Children Services has achieved national accreditation through the Council on Accreditation for services to children and families, according to a news release.

Children Services chose to pursue accreditation status to demonstrate that it implements best practice standards in all aspects of its programs, services, management and administration, the release said.

Lorain County Children Services is the agency that responds to community concerns related to child abuse or neglect.

In 2022, the agency received more than 4,500 reports of abuse or neglect from community members, according to the release.

The Council on Accreditation is an objective, independent and reliable validation of an agency’s performance, the release said.

The accreditation process involves a detailed review and analysis of an organization’s administration, management and service delivery functions against international standards of best practice, according to the release.

The standards driving accreditation ensure that services are well-coordinated, culturally competent, evidence-based, outcomes-oriented and provided by a skilled and supported workforce, the release said.

The Council on 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, according to the release.

Lorain County Children Services first was accredited in 1999 and has pursued reaccreditation every four years to assure the community that Lorain County’s children and families affected by abuse or neglect, receive the highest quality protection, permanency and well-being services, according to the release.