The Council on Accreditation (COA)

The Council on Accreditation (COA) is an international, independent, not-for-profit, child and family service and behavioral healthcare accrediting organization. It was founded in 1977 by the Child Welfare League of America and Family Service America (now the Alliance for Children and Families).

Originally known as an accrediting body for family and children’s agencies, COA currently accredits 38 different service areas and over 60 types of programs.

COA accreditation is a comprehensive process that involves scrutiny of governance, fiscal management, human resources management, service delivery and commitment to quality improvement. Organizations must provide documentation of practices and procedures and participate in an on-site review. They are evaluated against best-practice standards, which are developed using a consensus model with input from a wide range of service providers, funders, experts, policymakers and consumers.

Accreditation is proof that an organization has complied with nationally recognized standards of best practice. It is often compared with the "Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval."

For more information, visti: www.coanet.org