KidsPeace Awarded Gold Seal of Approval by Joint ...( Nation's Oldest Largest Standards...),Health

Nation's Oldest, Largest Standards-setting and Accrediting Body Notes Quality and Safety

LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa., Oct. 17 By demonstrating compliance with The Joint Commission's national standards for health care quality and safety, the 126-year-old national children's crisis charity KidsPeace has earned the Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval(TM).

"For 126 years we have sought to give the best to kids who have been through the worst crises imaginable," said KidsPeace President & CEO William Isemann. "The Joint Commission accreditation is powerful recognition of our commitment to safety and quality care for those in the greatest need."

"KidsPeace's accreditation achievement is a demonstration of the organization's leadership and staff commitment to excellence," says Mary Cesare-Murphy, Ph.D., executive director, Behavioral Health Care Accreditation Program, The Joint Commission. "Joint Commission accreditation requires organization-wide dedication to providing safe, client-focused care, treatment and services."

The Joint Commission conducted an unannounced, on-site evaluation of KidsPeace's programs from August 19-22, 2008. The accreditation award, covering all KidsPeace's Pennsylvania and New Jersey programs, recognizes dedication to complying with the Joint Commission's state-of-the-art standards on a continuous basis.

Founded in 1951, The Joint Commission seeks to continuously improve the safety and quality of care provided to the public through the provision of health care accreditation and related services that support performance improvement in health care organizations. The Joint Commission evaluates and accredits more than 15,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States, including more than 8,000 hospitals and home care organizations, and more than 6,800 other health care organizations that provide long term care, assisted living, behavioral health care, laboratory and ambulatory care services. The
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