EAGLE Accreditation
United Methodist Communities (UMC) earned and was awarded the EAGLE (Educational Assessment Guidelines Leading toward Excellence) accreditation, given by the United Methodist Association (UMA) in January of 2016 for a four-year period. In January of 2020, UMC was re-accredited.
EAGLE is the only faith-based accrediting body in the world and focuses on ministry with older adults and children. Their goal is to recognize organizations that voluntarily go beyond the minimum requirements of licensure to improve operational processes and outcomes. EAGLE challenges organizations not just to compete in challenging human services environments, but to soar above the competition while living their faith values. Though the UMA’s foundation and history are based in Methodism, EAGLE is ecumenical and applicable to all denominations.
The accreditation process requires associates across all disciplines and communities to analyze processes and compile data as part of the first component. Many, many hours were spent on this self-assessment step and the detail was submitted to the EAGLE accrediting team. The EAGLE accrediting body, composed of independent health care professionals from all parts of the country, conducted rigorous evaluations.
Examples of their approach EAGLE:
- Establishes responsible stewardship over physical and financial assets;
- Focuses on long-term sustainability;
- Affirms not-for-profit status by reinforcing community benefit and spiritual values;
- Curbs public perception as faith-based organizations are held to a higher standard;
- Provides external accountability;
- Improves performance, results, and outcomes in key areas of care;
- Contains built-in methods to help organizations constantly improve; and
- Ultimately, calls organizations to be better with a passionate pursuit of perfection.
In the second component, a team of trained peer reviewers made onsite visits and spent considerable time with associates discussing their submissions. The final component of the process, which typically takes twelve to eighteen months to complete, awarded EAGLE accreditation to United Methodist Communities for a second time!
The EAGLE Accreditation continues for four years, during which time frame, United Methodist Communities will be responsible for continuing to meet or exceed all EAGLE Principles, submit annual reports, and successfully respond to all Commission requirements.
