Distinguished Agency
Posted on 02/23/2010

The Round Lake Area Park District recently became the first ever state accredited agency with the Illinois Joint Distinguished Parks and Recreation Agency program. The accreditation process is governed by a joint committee of representatives from the Illinois Association of Park Districts and the Illinois Park and Recreation Association. The Round Lake Area Park District underwent their evaluation on September 15th and the state's accreditation review board voted to accredit the agency on September 17th.

The Joint Distinguished Parks and Recreation Agency accreditation program utilizes a total of 157 standards with 372 evidences of compliances in six sections of agency operation and management. Those sections include Legal, General Management, Finance and Business Operations, Facilities and Parks, Personnel and Recreation Services. The agency received a total of 485 out of 500 possible points during its evaluation. The program was formerly an award that recognized leading agencies in the state, the Round Lake Area Park District received that award in 2003. Only 36 of over 350 park districts, parks and recreational departments, and forest preserves held that distinction. Seeking an even higher level of an agency's measurement of outstanding service, the standards were revised and an accreditation process was initiated in 2009. The Round Lake Area Park District is the first agency ever to undergo the evaluation and accreditation process. Executive Director Jeff Nehila noted, "Receiving this honor which demands high levels of operational effectiveness and services provided to the community reflects the district's dedication to serving its citizens."

The Round Lake Area Park District also recently received its re-accreditation from the American Camping Association for its summer camp program and is undergoing its re-accreditation program for risk-management and loss control with the Park District Risk Management Association and is also seeking to receive its re-accreditation through the National Association for the Young Children for its Child Development Center. All of these accreditation processes are voluntary and cover three to five year periods.

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