Accreditation has substantial value for a senior center, as it:

• Results in national recognition as an accredited Senior Center.
• Provides a written strategic plan.
• Assists in determining outcome measurements.
• Heightens awareness of Senior Center activities to funders, community persons, participants, and families.
• Improves and enhances overall Senior Center operation.
• Highlights best practices.
• Is endorsed by NCOA, which has more than 50 years of nonprofit experience with advocacy for the elderly.

Dr. A. Eugene Smiley, NISC past-chair, describes accreditation as the official mark of excellence. "It portrays the senior center in a positive light in terms of being a viable, fundable, and qualified provider of services within the community," he says. "It says we do everything we can to go the extra mile for our clients."

Every senior center is different, and accreditation acknowledges that, he says. "Through accreditation, we can be sensitive to our centers' uniqueness and ethnic diversity, and at the same time operate out of a common senior center philosophy."

Throughout the process, centers may get the information they need to succeed in accreditation from a special hotline:

• 1-888-508-NISC (6472)
• ncoanisc@mindspring.com