Consumer Credit Counseling Service of the Savannah, Area, Inc. (CCCS) has achieved national accreditation through the New York-based Council on Accreditation (COA). CCCS a local, non-profit agency whose financial experts have been making sense of finances for over 50 years. CCCS pursued accreditation to show the implementation of best-practice standards in the field of human services. COA evaluated all aspects of CCCS’ programs, services, management, and administration.

The COA accreditation process involves a detailed review and analysis of an organization’s administration, management, and service delivery functions against international standards of best practice. The standards driving accreditation ensure that services are well-coordinated, culturally competent, evidence-based, outcomes-oriented, and provided by a skilled and supported workforce. COA accreditation demonstrates accountability in the management of resources, sets standardized best practice thresholds for service and administration, and increases organizational capacity and accountability by creating a framework for ongoing quality improvement.

To achieve COA accreditation, CCCS first provided written evidence of compliance with the COA standards.  Thereafter, a group of trained volunteer Peer Reviewers confirmed adherence to these standards during a series of on-site interviews with trustees, staff and clients. Based on their findings, COA’s volunteer-based Accreditation Commission voted that CCCS met the criteria for accreditation.  COA is the only national accreditor designated by the U.S. Department of Defense to develop accreditation standards and processes for human service programs provided to military personnel and their families.