Accreditation provides a framework to manage resources, offer best practices, and strive for continuous improvement.
Gateway Longview is pleased to announce that the agency has achieved national accreditation through the New York-based Council on Accreditation (COA). The year-long process to earn this accreditation involved audits of Gateway Longview policies and procedures, as well as interviews with Gateway Longview staff, consumers, foster parents, community partners, and the Gateway Longview Board of Directors. Organizations pursue accreditation to demonstrate the implementation of best practice standards in the field of human services. COA evaluated all aspects of Gateway Longview’s programs, services, management, and administration. This process supports an organization’s sustainability, encourages its growth, and helps it to achieve measurable results.
“I am so proud of our staff,” said Carolyne DeFranco, CEO of Gateway Longview, “This process was very involved and our staff rose to the challenge. We not only had to demonstrate that we did good work but we had to have it verified through the community and the people we serve. We are honored to be recognized by this prestigious organization.”
Founded in 1977, COA is an independent, not-for-profit accreditor of the full continuum of community-based behavioral health care and social service organizations in the United States and Canada. Over 2,000 organizations — voluntary, public, and proprietary; local and statewide; large and small — have either successfully achieved COA accreditation or are currently engaged in the process. Presently, COA has a total of 47 service standards that are applicable to over 125 different types of programs. To learn more about COA, please visit www.coanet.org.
COA accreditation is an objective, independent, and reliable validation of an agency’s performance. The COA accreditation process involves a detailed review and analysis of an organization’s administration, management, and service delivery functions against international standards of best practice. The standards driving accreditation ensure that services are well-coordinated, culturally competent, evidence-based, outcomes-oriented, and provided by a skilled and supported workforce. COA 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.
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.
Gateway Longview was rated exceptionally well in every area of accreditation. Highlights include;
Training, Supervision, and Solution Focused-Trauma Informed Care Gateway Longview has a strong focus on supervisor development in its training program. Training also focuses on providing trauma-informed care throughout the organization.
Parent Training: The parenting groups are tailored to meet the individual families' needs. The program collaborates with other providers to refer and assist with services. The parenting groups emphasize group learning and sharing.
Health Homes: This program was able to rapidly restore vital services to clients after the shutdown due to COVID-19. The program is very collaborative in working across the organization and in the community. They are family driven and highly engaged in fulfilling their case plans. The case workers demonstrate commitment and patience with clients.
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