February 12, 2015 – Ruston, LA Louisiana Methodist Children’s Home has received reaccreditation by the United Methodist Association’s EAGLE Accreditation Commission. This four year award was granted following an extensive self-study and site visits by reviewers from across the nation. The EAGLE Commission, after reviewing the self-study and the site visit findings, awarded re-accreditation.

Steven Vinson, President of the United Methodist Association, stated, “It is an honor to have LUMCFS as part of the UMA family. You continue to be a model of what it means to be a faith-based ministry!”

LUMCFS President and CEO, Rick Wheat, thanked the Home’s staff across Louisiana and said, “I could not be more pleased with the report that was presented to the EAGLE Commission. I commend our staff for being passionate about their pursuit of our mission of guiding children and families home to experience God’s love by following the teachings of Christ. Our staff members care so well for children and families who often cannot care for themselves. I thank each of our staff for going beyond the norm to do extraordinary ministry!”

EAGLE Accreditation is designed for faith-based health and welfare organizations wishing to enhance the quality of holistic care they provide. EAGLE Accreditation uses extensive self-assessment and peer review processes based upon principles and goals which promote excellence in Christian ministry.

The EAGLE Accreditation process is a lengthy, detailed and very involved one. In the fall of 2014, the EAGLE Peer Review team, comprised of four EAGLE peer reviewers, began their inspection process by visiting Methodist Children’s Home of Greater New Orleans. They then crossed the state traveling to Sulphur to visit Methodist Children’s Home of Southwest Louisiana. They ended by visiting Louisiana Methodist Children’s Home in Ruston and the OWL Center in Dubach. Everywhere they went, they interviewed children, staff, Board Members, and representatives from the community. They reviewed our records, our policies and our plans. They verified documents and Board authorizations. They inspected buildings and vehicles. In short, they did their survey with attention to details. What they determined in this preliminary report, is that we do our work of ministry well. We exceed expectations. Across the state, we turn the words of our mission statement into real ministry!

Following the site visit by the EAGLE Peer Review Team, their written report was read by two members of the EAGLE Commission who presented the report to the full EAGLE Commission in January 2015. During their January meeting, the EAGLE Commission voted on our Accreditation. We are very pleased to have earned EAGLE Accreditation for four more years.

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CONTACT INFORMATION:
Patrick Blanchard
Director of Public Relations and Development
Louisiana United Methodist Children and Family Services
patrick.blanchard@LMCH.org
1 (318) 242-4622
Additional information is available at: www.LUMCFS.org