What does Praesidium Accreditation Mean for My Y?
Measuring the effectiveness of prevention programs presents obvious challenges, particularly when the event to be reduced occurs infrequently but with profound intensity, such as on-the-job serious injuries or even deaths, or child sexual abuse in organizations. The ultimate outcome, a decrease in frequency or a non-event, can take years to demonstrate or require very large comparison groups with one using the intervention and one not. Given the difficulties to quantify, there are still clear benefits to Accreditation that are supported by qualitative and quantitative research.
01
Impact on Preventing Abuse
02
Increasing Healing for Survivors
03
Protect Your Mission and Reduce Liability
04
Favorable Insurance Coverage
05
Verification of Abuse Prevention Practices
What Does it Take?
Praesidium Accreditation does not just ensure that your Y meets the highest standards in abuse prevention; it also helps your Y maintain a sustained culture of safety. In short, you’ll want to ensure that the time, hard work, and resources your team invests in the Praesidium Accreditation process results in lasting change that will continue to protect your Mission for years to come.
- Voice from the Top: Support from leadership and stakeholders
- Commitment: Support from the organization's staff
- Youth Protection Committee: to help lead and oversee the Accreditation process
What is the Process?
PHASE 01: Implementation
Sign up for an Accreditation Cohort Self-Assessment
Site Visit Preparation
Approximately 7 Months
PHASE 02: Verification
Site Visit
Report
Corrective Action
Approximately 5 Months
PHASE 03: Accreditation
Accreditation
Maintaining Accreditation*
Ongoing
*Maintaining Accreditation: Accreditation remains active for three years from the date of Accreditation. Once an organization has been Accredited, it is expected to maintain implementation of the Praesidium Standards and complete an Annual Assessment each year until it enters the renewal process.
What You Can Expect
Praesidium spent two years piloting Accreditation with Ys to customize and refine the process. Ys that go through Accreditation in 2024 and 2025, will benefit from what was learned.
Y staff that have gone through the process will be a part of the cohort process to help guide their Y peers, as well as a dedicated Praesidium Consultant.
Onsite visits are approached as a Partnership, not a test. This process allows your Y time to address any issues collaboratively after the visit.
Upcoming Cohorts
Sign Up Today to Join a Cohort and Reserve Your Spot!
There are limited spots for each year and spots fill up quickly. The Praesidium Accreditation roll-out will be broken into cohorts:
2025
Cohort 9 - Begins January 2025 FULL
Cohort 10 - Begins March 2025 FULL
Cohort 11 - Begins August 2025
Cohort 12 - Begins October 2025
2026
Cohort 13 - Begins January 2026
Cohort 14 - Begins March 2026
Cohort 15 - Begins August 2026
Cohort 16 - Begins October 2026
2027
Cohort 17 - Begins January 2027
Cohort 18 - Begins March 2027
Cohort 19 - Begins August 2027
Cohort 20 - Begins October 2027
2028
Cohort 21 - Begins January 2028
Cohort 22 - Begins March 2028
Cohort 23 - Begins August 2028
Cohort 24 - Begins October 2028
* If you are an independent camp, please sign up for a cohort that begins in August so we can time the site visit correctly.
** If you are already Accredited and are looking to renew, please do not sign up here. The Praesidium team will reach out to you approximately 12 months prior to your expiration to get you into the renewal process.
Standards for Consumer Serving Organizations
Learn more about the Praesidium Accreditation Standards
and the research that supports them
What Others Are Saying
YMCA of the Pines
"Knowing that we've got an industry leader saying this is the best way to handle this situation, and that's how we're going to handle it, gives you more confidence in teaching others about that policy and learning it and understanding it yourself and then in implementing it.”
GREG KERESZTURY
Chief Operating Officer
YMCA of Central Ohio
"Parents need to be able to trust that when they come to the Y and when they bring their children to the Y, they're going to be safe in our care."
ELISSA JAMES
YMCA Vice President of People and Culture
YMCA of Central New York
"This accreditation will allow our organization to provide sources, tools, and training within our community. Education is key to prevention. The more we can share information, the better the difference we can make in the lives of youth.”
MEGAN DAVIS
Interim Executive Director and
Association Director of Compliance & Safety
The Feedback Speaks for Itself!
We surveyed a number of organizations on their experience with the Praesidium Accreditation process, and here's what they said:
100% of the Organizations Surveyed...
- Agree that the Praesidium Accreditation process allows them to better understand gaps in their abuse prevention systems and address them.
- Agree that the Praesidium Accreditation process has allowed them to strengthen their abuse prevention efforts.
- Agree that Praesidium Accreditation helps them fulfill their mission within their community.
92% of the
Organizations Surveyed...
- Agree that by completing the Praesidium Accreditation process, employees are more likely to report concerns, policy violations, and red-flag behaviors.
- Agree that by completing the Praesidium Accrediation process, leadership is better equipped to respond to incidents or allegations.
- Agree that by completing the Praesidium Accrediation process, employees are better equipped to respond to incidents or allegations.
Organizations Felt the Biggest Benefits of Accreditation Were...
- "Being accredited demonstrates to our staff, members, and community that we truly stand behind preventing abuse."
- "Ensures that we have policies, procedures, and systems in place."
- "The community can feel comfort in knowing their youth will be protected."
- "Peace of mind."
- "Good for Marketing."
- "We can ensure we are doing everything in our power to protect children from abuse."
- "We took many things from we think are happening to, we know are happening."
Copyright Praesidium 2024 | The information contained herein is for educational purposes to assist in the prevention of organizational sexual abuse. However, it must be noted that no system can guarantee the prevention of abuse. This information is not legal advice, either expressed or implied. Consultation with qualified legal counsel is recommended. This information is provided “As Is” without warranty, express or implied. The reader assumes all risk for reliance thereon.
