Barksdale Youth Center

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. – Brandon Moore (left), 9, son of Tech. Sgt. Eddie Moore, 608th Air Force Network Operations Center, and Alan English, 9, son of Staff. Sgt. Maria English, 2d Force Support Squadron, play Connect Four after school as they wait for their parents to get off work. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alexandra M. Longfellow) (RELEASED)

Barksdale Youth Center

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. – Cora Davis, 2d Force Support Squadron, helps Jalaya Robinson, 8, daughter of Army Sergeant Danielle Jones, 318th Medical Group, with assigned homework as she waits for her mother to pick her up from the Barksdale Youth Center. The youth center offers an after-school program to keep children in a safe and secure environment until their parents are able to pick them up after work hours. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alexandra M. Longfellow) (RELEASED)

Barksdale Youth Center receives good credit approval

Published April 9, 2010
By Senior Airman Alexandra M. Longfellow
2d Bomb Wing Public Affairs

BARSKDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- The Youth Center School Age Program here was accredited by the Council on Accreditation a month early after receiving zero discrepancies on their recent inspection. The after-school program was the first of its kind in Northwest Louisiana to receive this accreditation.

"This accreditation is equivalent to a wing receiving an excellent during an inspection," said Col. Rob Huber, 2d Mission Support Group commander.

The Council on Accreditation is an objective and reliable verification process that provides support to an after school program for youth. The accreditation process involves a detailed review and analysis of both a program's administrative operations and its service delivery practices. All are measured against national standards of best practice. These standards emphasize services that are accessible, appropriate, culturally responsive, evidence based and outcomes-oriented. The COA confirms the services are provided by a skilled and supported workforce and all individuals are treated with dignity and respect.

"Children are our most precious resource and to know that we offer them the best is an awesome feeling," said Cora Davis, 2d Force Support Squadron, school age development coordinator. "Being the first in the area allows us to be an example for others who want to offer quality programming for children during their out of school times. Accredited programs should be more than just a place where children come to hang out."

In four weeks, the youth center will receive a formal accreditation notification letter, final accreditation report and an accreditation plaque to display in a visible public space where staff, children and families can easily take notice.