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For Immediate Release:
October 12, 2006
Contact: Ana Compain-Romero
(573) 751-4815
Jefferson City - The Children’s Division celebrated the 32nd, 33rd, and 34th Circuit Offices for being found in compliance with the standards of the Council on Accreditation (COA) in celebrations yesterday and today.
The Division recently received notification that the 32nd and 33rd Circuit offices were found in compliance with COA standards in August. The 32nd Circuit includes offices in Cape Girardeau, Perry and Bollinger Counties. The 33rd Circuit includes offices in Scott and Mississippi Counties. The 32nd and 33rd Circuits join the state’s Central Administration Office, the Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline, and the 34th Circuit, which were all found in compliance with COA standards in June and July.
“I am very proud of the staff in the 32nd and 33rd Circuits as well as our Central Office, hotline and 34th Circuit. To be found in compliance with these standards speaks highly of our staff. These Circuit offices continue to set an example for the remaining 42 circuits in the state,” said Paula Neese, Interim Children’s Division Director.
The COA is an international, independent, not-for-profit accrediting body that accredits behavioral health care and social service programs. Its rigorous accrediting process reviews all aspects of an organization and evaluates them based on national standards of best practices.
A panel of reviewers from Kentucky, Illinois and Maryland found the 32nd and 33rd circuits to be in compliance with each of the major categories for the 832 standards with which an agency must comply to be accredited. The local offices had to meet service standards in adoption services, child protection services and family-centered casework as well as standards in general areas such as ethical practice, financial management, behavioral management and organizational integrity.
Gov. Blunt has strongly supported the accreditation plan which began in 2004 when then-House Speaker Catherine Hanaway sponsored a landmark children's services reform bill including accreditation for the Children's Division.
The state's accreditation plan spans a five year period. The state’s remaining circuits will be evaluated circuit by circuit over the next few years. The state's child protection system is organized around Missouri's 45 judicial circuits.
