Accreditation & Certification
Alliance of Information and Referral Systems (AIRS)
AIRS (Alliance of Information & Referral Systems) is an international organization that provides a professional umbrella for all I&R providers in both public and private organizations. AIRS is the administrator of an accreditation program that measures an organization’s ability to meet the AIRS Standards, and a certification program that evaluates the competence of individual I&R practitioners.
211 is the only AIRS accredited Information Centre in Edmonton. This accreditation assesses the ability of an I&R program to demonstrate full compliance with a comprehensive list of operational components, including service quality and effectiveness, community involvement and organizational stability. Achieving this accreditation demonstrates a commitment to meeting the highest standards in the field of I&R.
AIRS Accreditation is the primary quality assurance mechanism for gauging I&R excellence. It is endorsed by both national, provincial and state entities across the US and Canada as a benchmark for all I&R providers. All 211 staff are required to complete certification as an Information & Referral Specialist and Crisis Worker. Both of these certifications are measurements of ability in the fields of I&R and crisis work reflecting specific competencies and related performance criteria, which describe the knowledge, skills, attitudes and work-related behaviours needed by these workers to be successful.
American Association of Suicidology (AAS)
211 is a program of The Support Network, the only crisis centre in Edmonton that meets the North American standards for accreditation according to the American Association of Suicidology.
AAS is an education and resource organization in the area of suicide prevention and intervention. Similar to the AIRS accreditation, this process assesses the ability of a crisis centre to operate service delivery programs that are performing according to nationally recognized standards. Much of The Support Network’s material is referenced as best practices, policies and programs by AAS.
Last updated: July 28, 2009