9 Programs Gain Provisional Accreditation by Corps Center of Excellence
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Nine Service and Conservation Corps programs from across the nation gained provisional accreditation from the Corps Center of Excellence this week, an independent program of The Corps Network that is governed by an independent Advisory Committee made up of retired / former conservation corps leaders, retired/former federal land management agency staff, and other experts. These nine programs join 26 other Corps programs in gaining provisional accreditation status from the Corps Center of Excellence.
Service and Conservation Corps are programs that enroll young people in a crew-based experience where participants complete service projects while receiving paid job training, educational development, mentorship, and support services.
The Corps Center of Excellence is dedicated to the promotion of high quality programming and standards for Service and Conservation Corps across America. The Corps Center of Excellence (CCE) ensures that programs have the capacity to meet the desired outcomes for participants as well as meet the high quality and production requirements of resource management partners.
The provisional accreditation allows potential sponsors to have the confidence that the provisionally accredited organizations meet the standards recommended by the 21st Century Conservation Service Corps (21CSC) Federal Advisory Committee. This accreditation will be good for at least one year, and may be extended as the Committee continues working toward a transition to a full accreditation process. Service and Conservation Corps can apply so that numerous programs within their operations receive the provisional accreditation.
“We are very pleased with the number of programs qualifying for accreditation,” said Ira Okun, Chair of the The Corps Center of Excellence Advisory Committee. “It speaks to the willingness of Service and Conservation Corps to do what it takes to continuously improve their programs, commit to best practices and better serve the young people and their communities. Corps, by their adherence to high standards, enable Corpsmembers to become more successful in their life and career choice.”
The Corps programs that have been provisionally accredited include
· Great Basin Institute – Nevada Conservation Corps
· Great Basin Institute – Research Associate Program
· San Jose Conservation Corps
· EarthCorps
· Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa
· Student Conservation Association – Conservation Corps Program
· Student Conservation Association – Community Program
· Student Conservation Association – Intern Program
· Student Conservation Association – Veterans Corps Program
For more information about The Corps Center for Excellence and provisional accreditation, please visit www.21csc.org
About The Corps Network
The Corps Network is the voice of the nation’s 127 Service and Conservation Corps. Currently operating in every state and the District of Columbia, Corps annually enroll more than 27,000 young men and women in service every year. Each year Corps mobilize an additional 289,000 community volunteers who work alongside Corpsmembers to generate 638,684 additional hours of service every year, at an estimated value of $14,140,463. For more information, visit corpsnetwork.org or contact Levi Novey at [email protected] or 202.737.6272.
Media Contact:
Levi Novey
The Corps Network
1100 G Street, NW, Suite 1000
Washington, DC 20005
Phone: 202.737.6272
Fax: 202.737.6277
Email: [email protected]