Greater Lawrence Community Action Council, Inc

GLCAC Child Abuse Program Wins National Accreditation

Friday, May 27, 2016

A national leader in child abuse prevention has given its stamp of approval to the work of the family support program at the Greater Lawrence Community Action Council.  The National Exchange Club recently granted AAA accreditation, its highest ranking, to GLCAC’s Michael B. Christensen Community and Family Support Center.

The Exchange Club’s Child Abuse Prevention Services coordinates a network of 67 Exchange Parent Aide programs nationwide, including the Family Support Center in Lawrence. Exchange Parent Aides are trained, professionally supervised individuals who assist parents under stress and whose children are at risk of abuse or neglect.

“It is a credit to your center, your board, and your staff to have achieved accreditation. We thank you for being an integral part of our network and for your work with families and children,” stated Tracey Edwards, Executive Vice President of The National Exchange Club, in the award letter.

In 1995, the Exchange Clubs of the Merrimack Valley partnered with GLCAC to found the Michael B. Christensen Community and Family Support Center, a program dedicated to preventing child abuse. 

“We are grateful to The National Exchange Club for this recognition, and most importantly, to The Exchange Clubs of the Merrimack Valley for their total commitment to preventing child abuse and their generous financial support of the Christensen Community and Family Support Center,” said Evelyn Friedman, Executive Director of the GLCAC.

The AAA accreditation is received for achieving the highest level for compliance with the National Exchange Club’s Standards of Operation and Practice. Accreditation demonstrates to funders and others that the organization is in compliance with national level criteria for quality programs and sound business practices. This accreditation reflects the center’s compliance in seven areas: 

  • Commitment to Mission
  • Financial Resource Planning and Management
  • Human Resources
  • Networking Resources
  • Organizational Resources
  • Program Practices
  • Program Evaluation

GLCAC is a multi-faceted social services agency that assists 29,000 individuals annually through a range of critical programs.  GLCAC services include early childhood education, fuel assistance, WIC nutrition assistance, homelessness prevention, immigration services, lead poisoning prevention, child abuse prevention, English-language lessons, and consumer protection.