Children Services gets national accreditation

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

After a 32-month review, Mahoning County Children Services has been accredited for the first time by the New York City-based Council on Accreditation.

“We pursued accreditation to demonstrate that we care about best practices and better outcomes for the children and families we serve,” said the Rev. Lewis W. Macklin II, Children Services Board chairman.

The accreditation process included a detailed review and analysis of the child welfare agency’s administration and service delivery against international best practice standards, said Randall Muth, agency executive director.

The process included an on-site review by professional peers in the child welfare field, he added.

“COA accreditation demonstrates accountability in the management of resources,” including local real-estate tax levy funds, and creates “a framework for ongoing quality improvement,” Muth observed.

CSB offers child protective, foster care and adoption services.

Founded in 1977, COA evaluates community-based behavioral health care and social service organizations in the United States and Canada.

Only 18 of Ohio’s other 85 public children services agencies are accredited by COA.