NOTE: As of Feb. 29, 2024, Carolina Youth Development Center (CYDC) has rebranded to Landmarks for Families. Our nonprofit, community programs and residential services remain committed to cultivating thriving youth and families in this new chapter.
Carolina Youth Development Center (CYDC) recently received re-accreditation by the Council on Accreditation (COA), one of the main accrediting bodies for health and human service providers. While CYDC has maintained accreditation consecutively since 1980 as a Group Living Facility, this year’s accreditation recognized the organization as a Residential Treatment Center.
“Accreditation is a tremendous achievement for our organization,” said CYDC CEO Beverly Hardin. “It recognizes that we have continually successfully implemented high-performance standards and deliver quality services to our community. It also recognizes the efficacy of our administrative and financial practices which is impactful to our donors and grantors. These standards are particularly important this year as we begin to serve higher needs populations and focus on the treatment of the children and family as a Residential Treatment Center.”
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 is also an approved accreditor of Qualified Residential Treatment Programs (QRTPs) under the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA).
With accreditation as a Residential Treatment Facility, CYDC is renewing its commitment and focus on treating children and families who have experienced trauma. Accreditation as a Residential Treatment Facility will allow CYDC to begin caring for children and their families that require a higher level of therapeutic care.
“The CYDC board of directors and greater community are proud of CYDC and their accomplishment of being re-accredited and now as a Residential Treatment Center,” said CYDC Board Chair, Rita Daily. “For the past four years, this team of passionate individuals has worked tirelessly investing in training, hiring for new staff positions, updating policies and procedures and emphasizing treatment across all aspects of CYDC services. We could not be more excited to see their hard work result in this recognition as they continue providing exemplary care to Lowcountry youth and families.”
Council on Accreditation (COA)
Founded in 1977, COA is an independent, not-for-profit accreditor of the full continuum of community-based behavioral health care and social service organizations in the United States and Canada. Over 2,000 organizations – voluntary, public and proprietary; local and statewide; large and small – have either successfully achieved COA accreditation or are currently engaged in the process. Presently COA has a total of 47 service standards that are applicable to over 125 different types of programs. To learn more about COA please visit coanet.org.
About Carolina Youth Development Center:
Founded in 1790 as the Charleston Orphan House, Carolina Youth Development Center’s mission is to empower and equip our community’s children by providing a safe environment, educational support, and career readiness, in collaboration with families and community partners. Our vision is that all children have loving and stable families and a nurturing community that empowers them to lead successful lives. For more information visit CYDC.org.
