LEWISTON – Advocates for Children’s Executive Director Betsy Norcross Plourde announces that the Healthy Families Androscoggin Program has received a Certificate of Credential from Prevent Child Abuse America. The achievement, effective through March 19, 2008, recognizes the program as a provider of high quality home visitation services.

The credentialing process, developed in conjunction with the Council on Accreditation of Services for Families and Children Inc., attests that Healthy Families Androscoggin has met a set of nationally established, research-based standards, ensuring quality service delivery.

The process involves an in-depth examination of the program’s operation, including personnel, fiscal and program management, through completion of a comprehensive site self-assessment and an on-site review conducted by trained peer reviewers.

Healthy Families Androscoggin is located in the B Street Community Center at 57 Birch St.

Prevent Child Abuse America was established in 1972 by Donna J. Stone for the purpose of building a nationwide commitment to prevent child abuse and neglect. The not-for-profit, volunteer-based organization is committed to preventing child abuse in all its forms through education, research, public awareness and advocacy.

The Healthy Families America initiative was implemented in 1992 by Prevent Child Abuse America in partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities, building on two decades of research in the field of home visitation. The HF-America initiative promotes positive parenting, encourages child health and development and seeks to prevent child abuse and neglect.