A two-year process for Missouri Girl's Town is over, with positive results.
"For Girls Town, it was a two year process from the time we applied to be accepted to even apply for accreditation," said Elise Bennett, Development and Community Relations Coordinator. "Once they accept us to even apply, they send a list of standards required to be accredited."
When it was all done, the Council on Accreditation gave Missouri Girl's Town a national accreditation.
"The achievement of this important milestone demonstrates our commitment to providing the highest quality services for our girls," said Kathy Becker, Executive Director, Missouri Girls Town Foundation, Inc. "The accreditation not only recognizes the agency's current standards of practice, but provides a roadmap of ongoing improvements to make over the next four years. With the successful completion of this important initiative and our commitment to continually improve and grow we are and will continue to be a stronger and better organization."
The achievement required coalition between the board of directors for Missouri Girls Town and the staff.
"They went through all our procedures and practices as well as our facilities to make sure every part of the organization met the standards set by the council. They have high standards, which is good and gives us something to strive toward," Bennett said. "That's why it takes such a long time to earn accreditation. It's really a collaboration between the board of directors and our staff who works in the houses with the kids and actually carries out the procedures."
When a child is in the custody of the state, a judge chooses where to place them. There are several places for a judge to choose from.
"This ranks Missouri Girls Town among the top residential care facilities in the United States," Bennett said. "To be here in Central Missouri says a lot for our state and our community to be able to provide care for these children. It shows what we're doing is recognized and is truly making a difference in these kids. What we offer is a step above everything else in the state."