BUFFALO, N.Y., August 8, 2011 – Catholic Charities of Buffalo has been reaccredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA), an international, independent, non-profit accrediting organization of community-based social and behavioral health care services, according to Dennis C. Walczyk, Catholic Charities chief executive officer. The human service provider was first accredited by COA in 2007, when it was given a four-year accreditation.
The reaccreditation, voluntarily sought by Catholic Charities, indicates that the organization continues to meet the highest national standards and is delivering the best quality services to the community and individuals it serves. The standards emphasize services that are accessible, appropriate, culturally responsive, evidence-based and outcome-oriented, confirming that the services are provided by a skilled and supported workforce and all individuals are treated with respect.
“To be successful in the reaccreditation process shows that we strive to continuously operate at high level of quality, that we are customer-driven and very concerned with the quality improvement process,” said Walczyk. “Through this examination, donors and supporters can also be assured that we are good stewards of the funding we receive and are confident this demonstrates the worthiness to serve people in need across Western New York.”
The reaccreditation process involved a detailed review and analysis of an organization’s administrative operations and its service delivery practices over a four-day period in June, when a five-person team of COA peer reviewers visited more than 15 offices and conducted more than 60 interviews with many employees, clients and volunteers.
During the exit meeting, the COA review team “marveled at the breadth and effectiveness of our programs and services, our dedication to our mission and our commitment to performance quality improvement,” according to Walczyk.
As with its initial accreditation review four years ago, Catholic Charities was notified of the expedited accreditation within a month of the June reaccreditation review.
Founded in 1977, the mission of COA is to promote best-practice standards and champion quality services for children, youth and families. Currently, more than 1,800 public and private organizations are accredited by COA or are in the process of seeking accreditation.
Catholic Charities is the most comprehensive direct human service provider serving all eight counties of Western New York, with 70 programs and 61 locations. Founded in 1923, Catholic Charities also provides, without regard to religious affiliation, comprehensive counseling services for children and families, anti-domestic violence programming and emergency services, among other social and mental health services.
# # #
|