Senior Center Receives National Recognition

by: Mona Kaiser, Senior Center Executive Director

After two years of intense preparation, the Faribault Area Senior Center concluded a self-evaluation process and submitted an application for accreditation from the National Institute of Senior Centers [NISC].

Following the application, the FASC received an on-site examination of the Center by a representative from NISC. The result of this comprehensive review was an unconditional recommendation and approval that the Faribault Senior Center receive national accreditation!

Senior Centers that are accredited must fulfill standards in nine predetermined areas, including: Purpose, Community, Governance, Administration, Program Planning, Evaluation, Fiscal Management, Records and Reports, and Facility.

Why become accredited?

• The accreditation process results in an increased awareness of the contribution senior centers make in the lives of older adults, their families, and caregivers.
• It improves the image of senior centers, helping communities to realize that senior centers provide quality programs based on national standards.
• Simply put, national accreditation shows everyone that a Senior Center "has its house in order."

Huge amounts of time and resources were put into this accreditation process by Senior Center staff members Brenda Johnson and Jen Bimberg, FASC board members, and FASC accreditation committee members. We are now only the second Senior Center in Minnesota that has achieved this goal!