Standards For Excellence Certification Program

The Program Development, Research and Evaluation Division’s Human Services Department Standards for Excellence Certification Program has been in existence in the Broward County Human Services Department since 1997. The program was established to recognize and acknowledge provider agencies demonstrating a commitment to excellence. Certification is a comprehensive, cost effective and efficient method developed to determine the competency level of community-based human service agencies. Evaluation criteria used is representative of national best practice standards and performance expectations determined to be essential in evaluating organizational competency.

Becoming a certified agency under this program is a structured process in which the applicant organization is reviewed for organizational and administrative competence, program/service delivery, fiscal management, quality assurance/quality improvement, and internal policies and procedures. Many community funders ask whether an agency is certified under this program as part of their application for funding and, the Broward County Human Services Department will require agencies to be certified to be eligible for funding consideration beginning January 2006.

Who we serve

Standards for Excellence Certification serves agencies in the community, the Human Services Department, and other community funders.

Services

Standards for Excellence Certification provides community-based human service agencies:

	capacity building support
	technical assistance
	uniform standards and a structured assessment format
	assistance to develop required, funder-specific policies and procedures
	recognition for their accomplishments

Standards for Excellence Certification reviews:

	quality assurance/quality improvement practices
	employment practices
	emergency management planning
	organizational structure and internal supports
	Board involvement
	ability to comply with contract terms
	service delivery
	agency infrastructure and ability to manage contracts

A Standards for Excellence Certificate is awarded to organizations that demonstrate a commitment to excellence in their operations. Certification is granted for specific time periods based on program criteria.