On June 9th, 2024, the world commemorates World Accreditation Day, a global initiative dedicated to recognizing the importance of accreditation. This year holds special significance as it marks the 25th anniversary of the Inform USA Accreditation program, which first launched in 1999.
The Inform USA Accreditation program plays a pivotal role in the profession of information and referral (I&R), ensuring that individuals are connected to the right help when they need it most. Inform USA serves as the professional membership association for I&R providers and sets industry standards for information and referral services. These standards are developed with input from subject matter experts across the sector, ensuring that they reflect the best practices and highest quality in the field.
Accreditation from Inform USA is a prestigious stamp of approval that signifies an I&R provider has met the industry's rigorous Standards for quality. Currently, nearly 130 organizations across North America hold Inform USA accreditation. These organizations span various types of I&R providers, including 211 services, aging and disability organizations, crisis-line centers like 988, and specialized information and referral providers.
The accreditation process itself is thorough and comprehensive. It includes several phases such as a call review phase, a review of the resource database, a community survey, a consultative review, and a virtual site visit. These steps ensure that accredited organizations meet the highest standards of service delivery and accountability.
The benefits of accreditation extend both to the organization and the people who rely on their services. Accredited organizations are better equipped to provide high-quality services that meet the needs of their communities. This is particularly important in today's rapidly changing world, where human service systems must demonstrate accountability and reliability.
As we celebrate World Accreditation Day 2024 and the 25th anniversary of the Inform USA Accreditation program, we recognize the vital role that accreditation plays in ensuring that information and referral services continue to deliver excellence and meet the evolving needs of our society.
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