By KELLY WILSON

Herald-Whig Staff Writer

Debbie Reed knows that Chaddock follows its faith-based mission and has quality programs and staff that serve children and families, but she says it's nice to have a national stamp of approval.

Chaddock has retained its EAGLE accreditation from the United Methodist Association of Health and Welfare Ministries, a national network of health and welfare-related organizations.

"It's the only national faith-based accreditation for human service agencies," said Reed, president and chief executive officer of Chaddock. "As a faith-based organization, that is very important for us. It's an indicator that we not only meet high program standards, but high mission standards, as well."

Reed will accept recognition on behalf of Chaddock Friday night during the association's national convention in Orlando, Fla.

EAGLE stands for Educational Assessment Guidelines Leading toward Excellence. Reed said about 60 organizations nationwide are EAGLE-accredited.

EAGLE-accredited facilities are stringently reviewed based on business practices, social principles and their Christian mission. Relationships with the local community, the United Methodist Church and their faith-based connection also are considered.

Chaddock has held EAGLE accreditation since the 1980s, Reed said, and is up for review every four years. A site visit for the latest review was conducted in November.

"The reviewers specifically made note of the exceptional culture here, saying it is clear that all that we do is centered on the children we serve, and that we truly live out our faith-based mission, vision and values," Reed said.

"They were extremely impressed by the teamwork displayed throughout the agency and the obvious quality and dedication of our staff."

Chaddock also is accredited through the Council on Accreditation of Services for Children and Families. Reed said national accreditation provides added credibility for Chaddock.

Chaddock is a not-for-profit, multiservice health and human service organization serving at-risk children and young adults up to age 21, and their families, from throughout the U.S.

With a focus on trauma and attachment-based issues, Chaddock's internationally recognized continuum of care includes prevention, intervention and highly specialized treatment services. Chaddock's 30-acre campus in Quincy provides five residential cottages, an accredited school, a chapel and recreational facilities, including an indoor swimming pool and gymnasium.

-- kwilson@whig.com/221-3391