March 17, 2015 – Ruston, LA  The Council on Accreditation (COA) has announced the reaccreditation of Louisiana Methodist Children’s Home.  This announcement follows the Home’s recent reaccreditation by the EAGLE Commission, a separate, faith-based accrediting body.

Rick Wheat, CEO of Louisiana United Methodist Children and Family Services, shared, “These two back-to-back reaccreditations provide external affirmation of our ministry’s commitment to maintain very high performance standards to ensure the children and families for whom we care receive the highest quality services.”

COA reaccreditation is an objective verification that provides confidence and support to an organization’s service recipients, board members, staff and community partners.  The COA reaccreditation process involves a detailed review and analysis of both an organization’s administrative operations and its service delivery practices.  All are “measured” against national standards of best practice.  These standards emphasize services that are accessible, appropriate, culturally responsive, evidence based, and outcome-oriented.

In addition, COA accreditation confirms that an organization’s services are provided by a skilled and supported workforce and that all individuals are treated with dignity and respect.  Because COA reviews and reaccredits the entire organization, not just specific programs, all can have confidence in the credibility, integrity and achievement of the entire organization.

To achieve COA accreditation, Louisiana Methodist Children’s Home first provided written evidence of compliance with the COA Standards.  Then a group of specially trained Reviewers visited the Home’s facilities in locations across Louisiana and confirmed adherence to these standards during a series of on-site inspections, record reviews and interviews with Board members, staff and recipients of care.

Wheat concluded, “We did not achieve this alone.  This second reaccreditation speaks volumes about the desires of so many in Louisiana to ensure children and families receive the care they require.  This achievement was made possible by our volunteer Board of Directors, by our incredible employees, and by all those who support and encourage our work throughout Louisiana.  We are profoundly grateful for the opportunity to care for Louisiana’s children and families.”