Starr Commonwealth has achieved national accreditation through the New York-based Council on Accreditation (COA). Upon review of Starr\u2019s policies, procedures and programs over the past three years, COA\u2019s peer review team recommended expedited approval for Starr for meeting all compliance ratings in COA\u2019s fundamental practice standards. The Accreditation Commission has approved this recommendation, confirming Starr as an outstanding provider of care that meets the highest performance standards within the field of human services.<\/p>\n
The standards driving accreditation ensure that Starr\u2019s trauma-informed, resilience-focused services are well-coordinated, culturally competent, evidence-based, outcomes-oriented, and provided by a skilled and supported workforce. COA accreditation also demonstrates accountability in the management of resources, setting standardized best practice thresholds for service and administration, and increasing organizational capacity and accountability by creating a framework for ongoing quality improvement.<\/p>\n
Based on their findings, COA\u2019s volunteer-based Accreditation Commission voted that Starr had successfully met the criteria for accreditation.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat a pleasure this entire experience has been,\u201d said Starr President and CEO Elizabeth Carey. \u201cAs expected, COA a pleasure to work with\u2014asking valuable questions that not only allowed Starr\u2019s hard work to shine through but also provided opportunities to learn and operate at an even higher level. I am so proud of our staff, and it\u2019s an honor to celebrate all of their hard work through this prestigious recognition.\u201d<\/p>\n
An endorsement of COA and the value of its accreditation process is reflected in it being named by the US State Department as the sole national independent accrediting body under the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption to accredit intercountry adoption service providers. In addition, 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.<\/p>\n