Pennsylvania's First Accredited Senior Center


The Mercy Center on Aging, Inc.

Accreditation

 

Accreditation is the official recognition that a Senior Center is meeting its mission in a nationally accepted, professional fashion.

 

It is based on compliance with nine standards of senior center operations developed by the National Institute of Senior Centers (NISC), a unit of the National Council on Aging, Inc, (NCOA).

 

The Mercy Center is proud to have been the first nationally accredited senior center in Pennsylvania.

The Nine Standards:

  1. Purpose Presents a mission statement consistent with the NCOA/NISC senior center definition and philosophy. Uses a written planning document.

  2. Community Collaborates with at least two community resources to offer senior services. Provides information and referral at the senior center.

  3. Governance Provides written governance document with at least eight of the 10 requirements.

  4. Administration and Human Resources Hires an Administrator with skills and training required by a job description. Presents written personnel policies which have been distributed. Demonstrates written volunteer policies.

  5. Program Demonstrates 12 programs in 7 areas.

  6. Evaluation Arranges to evaluate and report regularly on programs and operation.

  7. Fiscal Management Prepares and publishes an annual budget document. Demonstrates that budgeting, accounting, and financial reporting practices conform to accepted accounting standards. Maintains insurance coverage for assets, staff, participants, volunteers, and governing structure for liability.

  8. Records and Reports Maintains standardized participant records. Keeps records/reports on services and activates. Presents a written confidentiality policy which limits access to certain records.

  9. Facility Provides barrier free access in accordance to laws.