2025 COA Accreditation Standards Reflect Evolving Practice and Policy

As the social sector adapts to new practice guidance and a shifting regulatory environment, best practice standards must also evolve to keep-pace. To ensure the standards for COA Accreditation, a service of Social Current, remain up-to-date, research-based, and field-informed, Social Current recently released targeted enhancements that reflect this ever-changing landscape.  

Here’s a look at some of the trends shaping the sector and how they’re reflected in the latest COA Accreditation standards revisions. 

Kinship Care 

Changes to federal foster care licensing rules and growing evidence around the benefits of kinship placements are shifting how states and provider organizations approach out-of-home placement for children in foster care.  

Research shows that children placed with kinship caregivers experience more stable placements, lower risk of re-abuse, improved behavioral health outcomes, and a better chance of achieving permanency. As such, significant efforts have been made to increase both the number of licensed or approved kinship homes, as well as the financial resources and other supports available to them. Perhaps the most significant change came in November 2023, when the Administration for Children and Families finalized federal rules that streamlined the approval process for kinship homes and addressed financial inequalities experienced by kinship families. Since then, 38 states and five tribes have either adopted or committed to adopting new licensing or approval rules for kinship caregivers. These changes are focused on reducing common barriers to children being placed with kin, including burdensome training and approval requirements, allowing providers to focus on key safety-related requirements and offer training that is tailored to the unique needs and circumstances of kinship caregivers.  

Social Current has revised its Family Foster Care and Kinship Care (FKC, CA-FKC) and Child and Family Services (PA-CFS) standards to reflect this evolving regulatory landscape, the unique strengths of kinship caregivers, and best practice for working with kin and children. 

Leadership & DEI  

As the uncertainty and financial impact of executive orders targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives begins to set in across the social sector, one of the most frequently asked questions received by Social Current’s Standards Development and Accreditation Operations teams is: How can organizations continue to demonstrate their commitment to creating fair, inclusive, and safe places to work and receive services amid fears of losing federal or state funding?  

Consensus among subject matter experts in the field seems to be that the most strategic path forward is to reframe the work to fit the specific needs of your organization and the communities you serve. This involves moving away from siloed initiatives and generic labels and toward a more integrated and mission-focused approach. 

Based on our ongoing collection and analysis of feedback from our network, collaboration with subject matter experts, and a review of best practice guidance currently available, Social Current has released updates to its standards that will support organizations as they navigate this complex landscape. Recent updates were focused primarily on the Governance (GOV, AFM, PA-AM, CA-GOV, CA-AFM, CP-AM, CYD) and Human Resource Management (HR, PA-HR, CA-HR) sections and will guide organizations in establishing the infrastructure, policies, and procedures needed to promote dignity, fairness, and equal opportunity for all people who interact with the organization.   

An Aging Population 

The population aged 65 and over is projected to rise from 58 million in 2022 to roughly 82 million by 2050. This demographic shift is increasing demand for home- and community-based supports that allow adults with functional limitations, disabilities, or other special needs to remain in their homes and improve their overall well-being.  

As part of a series of revisions designed to meet this growing need, Social Current recently updated its COA Accreditation standards for Adult Day Services (AD, CA-AD, PA-AD).  Studies show that high-quality adult day services lead to increased functioning and improved social, psychological, and health outcomes for both individuals and their caregivers. The revised standards promote linkages with local health and social service providers and resources; person-centered care; community integration; and improved access to caregiver supports and needed services. 

Leading off this series of revisions to standards for home- and community-based services, the 2024 updates to the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Services (IDDS, CA-IDDS, PA-IDDS) standards were the first to be released. Download the updated IDDS standards online. Updates to the Adult Foster Care (AFC, CA-AFC, PA-AFC) and Home Care and Support Services (HCS, CA-HCS, PA-HCS) standards are planned for 2026.  

Conclusion 

As the needs of organizations, communities, and systems evolve, so must the frameworks designed to support capacity building and quality service delivery. The 2025 updates to Social Current’s COA Accreditation standards reflect the best available research and professional literature, collaboration with diverse groups of subject matter experts, and real-world feedback from our network as they navigate shifting policy, funding, and practice expectations. By continuously improving the standards that guide practice, Social Current ensures organizations are not only meeting the needs of today—but leading solutions for tomorrow. 

Learn more about and download the 2025 COA Accreditation standards revisions. 

Learn more about COA Accreditation online or by registering for an upcoming webinar.