Accreditation

It has been said that only the tough survive. But we think when it comes to Down Syndrome Associations, those who are prepared not only survive--they thrive!  DSAIA's Accreditation program helps organizations achieve excellence in nonprofit management and can help YOU be prepared for whatever challenges arise. This exclusive DSAIA member benefit combines core competencies with a commitment to continuous improvement. Along the way, DSAIA supports Accreditation candidates with mentoring, coaching, networking, and professional development. DSAIA Accreditation can be accomplished on your own timeline; it is a self-paced program designed to assess your organization’s strengths and needs. Here is an explanation of DSAIA's Accreditation Process.

Approximately six times a year, DSAIA hosts Accreditation Conversations.  These informal discussions offer an opportunity to network with other Accreditation candidates, get questions answered, and address topics that help our members complete the accreditation process. This is a great way to get started, get re-focused, and find out more. This conversation will focus on programs--how do you identify needs in your community, how to determine if a program is working, and great strategies to strengthen the programs you currently offer. 

The DSAIA Accreditation categories are:
• Organizational Management
• Governance Structure
• Financial Management
• Policies
• Programs
• Personnel
• Development & Fundraising
• Communication & Marketing
• Advocacy

If you are a DSAIA member, log in and you will be able to access all the documents you need to get started. Simply go to the top menu bar, select accreditation, and you will see the materials posted in our member-only section.

If you think your organization would like to participate, send an email to [email protected] and find out how you can become a DSAIA Accredited program.