COA Accreditation

2025 COA Accreditation Standards Updates

Social Current

August 4, 2025

The 2025 edition of updates to the standards for COA Accreditation, a service of Social Current, is now available. These targeted enhancements to the standards are the result of our annual update process and include changes based on ongoing collection and analysis of feedback received from our network, collaboration with diverse groups of subject matter experts, and a review of research and professional literature on identified trends and evolving practices.

Our collaborative update process is designed to ensure the standards remain up-to-date, research-based, and field-informed, promoting improved outcomes for individuals, families, and communities.

Who’s Affected

These changes impact private, public, and Canadian organizations seeking COA accreditation or reaccreditation. The 2025 edition of updates will not impact organizations that are currently pursuing accreditation or re-accreditation and have already been assigned standards in the MyCOA portal.

When It Is Happening

Standards assignments for COA Accreditation using the new standards began July 28, 2025.

What’s Changing In Our Standards

Download the adult day standards for private, public, and Canadian organizations to see the 2025 updates that were made to this fully revised section.

Download the case management standards for private, public, and Canadian organizations to see the 2025 updates that were made to this fully revised section.

Download the child and family services standards for public organizations to see the 2025 updates that were made to portions of this section to reflect new federal licensing rules for kinship caregivers.

Download the early childhood education standards for private, public, and Canadian organizations to see the 2025 updates that were made to this fully revised section.

Download the foster and kinship care standards for private and Canadian organizations to see the 2025 updates that were made to portions of this section to reflect improved practice for working with kinship caregivers.

Download the for-profit administration and financial management standards for private and Canadian organizations to see the 2025 updates that were made to this fully revised section.

Download the vocational rehabilitation standards for private, public, and Canadian organizations to see the 2025 updates that were made to this fully revised section.

Download the workforce development and support standards for private, public, and Canadian organizations to see the 2025 updates that were made to this fully revised section.

In response to feedback from our network, we are also releasing a collection of revisions throughout the COA Accreditation standards to provide clarity and/or remain current with trends in the field. Highlights include:

Clarifying CPR training requirements
Changes to training requirements related to working with individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities
Updates focused on promoting fairness, dignity, respect, and equal opportunity for all staff and persons served

Download a copy of the additional revisions for private, public, and Canadian organizations to see the 2025 updates that were made throughout the standards.

Our Standards Update Process

The 2025 COA Accreditation standards updates reflect changes made based on evolving practices, ongoing review of relevant literature, and the continuous feedback we receive from our network, including volunteer reviewers and accredited organizations. More specifically, updating the 2025 Standards involved:

Collection, in-depth review, and synthesis of prominent published research and professional literature in targeted areas
Review of standards drafts and discussion of trends in the field with Standards Advisory Panels comprised of subject matter experts, agency leaders, and service providers
Collection and review of feedback solicited from Social Current’s network, including through the “Provide Feedback” button found in the MyCOA and VIP portals
Sharing drafts online for a period of field comment to solicit feedback from Social Current’s network and the broader social service sector

Questions?

If you are currently pursuing accreditation or re-accreditation, please reach out to your accreditation coordinator.

If you are seeking accreditation for the first time, join an introductory webinar or contact Joe Perrow, senior manager of network engagement and growth at Social Current.

For additional information about COA Accreditation standards, please contact Melissa Dury, director of standards at Social Current.

About Social Current

Social Current is the premier partner and solutions provider to a diverse network of more than 1,800 human and social service organizations. Together with our network, we are activating the power of the social sector to effect broader systemic change that is needed to achieve our vision of an equitable society where all people can thrive. We support, strengthen, and amplify the work of the social sector in five core integrated areas including brain science and trauma-informed approaches; COA Accreditation; child, family, and community well-being; government affairs and advocacy; and leadership and organizational development.