News from the Somerset County Board of County Commissioners
Shanel Y. Robinson, Commissioner Director Ÿ Doug Singleterry, Commissioner Deputy Director
Sara Sooy, Commissioner Ÿ Melonie Marano, Commissioner Ÿ Paul M. Drake, Commissioner
For Immediate Release
June 22, 2023
Somerset County Office of Youth Services Receives Highest Level of National Accreditation
SOMERVILLE, NJ – The Somerset County Office of Youth Services has achieved national accreditation from the Council on Accreditation (COA). The accreditation organization is an international, independent, nonprofit organization that promotes best practices and awards accreditation only to agencies that meet the highest standard of excellence.
“The county is proud that Youth Services received the COA’s seal of approval,” said County Commissioner Paul M. Drake, human services liaison. “Youth services went through a rigorous accreditation process to meet the COA’s international level of best practice guidelines.
“Receiving accreditation from the COA means that the Office of Youth Services reached the gold standard for delivering programs and services through a highly skilled workforce,” he said.
Process for Accreditation
The Office of Youth Services, which includes the Family Crisis Intervention Unit, the County Interagency Coordinating Council, the Commission on Child Abuse and Missing Children and the Youth Services Commission submitted written evidence of compliance to the COA.
In response to the Office of Youth Services’ submission, the COA conducted on-site interviews with staff and clients and an in-depth analysis of its operations. The COA’s commission then reviewed, discussed, analyzed and voted to award accreditation.
The COA evaluates agencies according to the following criterion:
- Administration and services standards: Agencies must have efficient operations and management, demonstrate leadership in the industry, have responsible financial management, and have a framework in place to help improve care.
- Service delivery administration standards: Agencies must address practices related to the administration of services that include the rights of clients, training and supervision, and program supervision.
- Service standards: Agencies that provide direct services to clients must demonstrate service standards and practices across the continuum of community-based social and behavioral healthcare services.
About the Council on Accreditation (COA)
Founded in 1977, the COA is an independent, nonprofit accreditor of the continuum of community-based behavioral health care and social services organizations in the United States and Canada. Over 2,000 organizations, public and propriety, local and statewide, large and small-have either successfully achieved COA accreditation or are currently engaged in the process. Currently, COA has 47 service standards that apply to over 125 different types of programs.
About the Somerset County Office of Youth Services
Since 1984, the Somerset County Office of Youth Services has been providing services to youth and their families, such as 24-hour-a-day and seven-days-a-week crisis intervention, assessment and short-term family therapy for youth and their families who are in crisis because of juvenile/family conflict, truancy, runaway behavior and sex trafficking. Youth Services also offers planning for youth who are at risk of entering the juvenile justice system or the behavioral health system. Through the CCAMC, they provide education and training in child abuse and missing children.
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