From Kalisha’s Desk—February Edition

At Youth Emergency Services, (YES) our mission has always been grounded in trust—trust from the young people who turn to us in moments of crisis, and trust from our community who believe in what we do. Today, I’m proud to share a milestone that speaks directly to that trust: YES has officially earned national accreditation from the Council on Accreditation (COA)!

COA is an independent organization that evaluates human service agencies against the highest standards of quality, safety, and effectiveness. Earning this accreditation is no small accomplishment; it reflects nearly two years of dedicated work by our staff, board, and leadership team to take a deep and honest look at how we operate and ensure that every policy, process, and program truly and effectively supports youth experiencing homelessness.

For nearly two years, YES took an inside look at all aspects of our organization. We completed a comprehensive review of 77 national standards, closely examining our policies, procedures, and day-to-day operations to ensure they align with best practices in youth homelessness services, housing programs, and case management. Just as important, we gathered and demonstrated evidence that these standards are actively implemented in our daily work. Because COA accreditation is voluntary, earning it underscores our dedication to meeting the highest national standards—not because we have to, but because young people deserve it.

For YES, COA accreditation affirms what we strive for daily: that our services are ethical, well-managed, and truly responsive to the needs of our youth. It means young people can trust the care they receive at YES, and our community can trust that we steward resources responsibly and operate with transparency and accountability.

Just as important, this process has strengthened YES as an organization. It sharpened our internal systems, clarified expectations, and reinforced that our core values are not just words on a page; they are active practices that guide how we show up for youth, for one another, and for our community.

As demand for our services continues to grow across the Omaha metro, this accreditation gives us added confidence and our supporters reassurance that YES is committed to continuous improvement and long-term sustainability. We are proud of this milestone, grateful to the many people who made it possible, and more committed than ever to providing high-quality, compassionate care to the young people who need us most. Thank you for being part of this journey with us!