The 25th circuit court office of the Department of Social Services’ Children’s Division has met the standards for accreditation by the Council of Accreditation.
The circuit, which includes Texas, Phelps, Pulaski and Maries counties, joins 26 others that have met accreditation standards since the onsite review process began.
“I want to congratulate the staff in the 25th circuit for their hard work and tremendous dedication to reach these national best practice standards,” said Paula Neese, children’s division director.
A panel of reviewers from various states found the 25th circuit 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, foster and kinship care services, child protection services and family-centered casework as well as organization and management standards in general areas such as ethical practice, financial management, behavioral management and organizational integrity.
Gov. Matt Blunt has supported the accreditation plan, which began in 2004 when then House Speaker Catherine Hanaway sponsored a landmark children’s services reform bill.
The children’s division expects to be fully accredited by 2009. The state’s child protection system is organized around Missouri’s 45 judicial circuits.