Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI) achieved reaccreditation through the Council on Accreditation (COA), an independent nonprofit accreditor that partners with human and social service organizations to enhance quality and outcomes for individuals, families, and communities.
The achievement reflects nine months of preparation, site visits, and staff, trustee, and client interviews. Specially trained reviewers evaluated more than 50 LSSI programs and services, in addition to all aspects of management and administration over four days in November 2025.
LSSI was evaluated on more than 1,300 standards. The organization earned “full implementation” status—the highest possible rating—on 98% of the standards. The accreditation process was expedited due to LSSI’s outstanding performance with no out-of-compliance ratings in any fundamental practice standards.
COA accreditors reviewed 49 client records and conducted 174 formal interviews—including foster parents, clients, staff, and board members—along with numerous informal interviews; 22 sites shared their programs. LSSI produced 3,000 pieces of evidence for review.
LSSI President and CEO Mark Stutrud was proud of the accomplishment. “Reaccreditation upholds LSSI’s continuing efforts to always improve how we deliver services to the people with whom we share in life,” said Stutrud. “This achievement reflects the strength and quality of LSSI’s programs, and the expertise of the outstanding, compassionate professionals who make up our staff.”
LSSI is among the largest statewide providers of social services and offers the largest private foster care program in Illinois. LSSI provides mental health services, alcohol and drug treatment, senior services (affordable senior housing and home care), residential programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and programs that help formerly incarcerated individuals integrate back into society.
The COA Reviewers commended LSSI’s realization of its mission, culture, and executive leadership in its review. Among the highlights of the accreditation report:
- “LSSI continues to meet the highest standards in human services. Trust and transparency are hallmarks of this organization.”
- GenCare, which focuses on the whole person—both those served and people serving—“is very much a part of LSSI’s culture and was discussed by most staff members.”
- Stutrud was praised as a “visionary, professional, experienced leader.”
- “Foster parents interviewed had significant longevity with LSSI and feel valued and supported by the dedicated and passionate staff.”
- “The administrative and service environment of the organization is built on a foundation of collaboration, compassion, and efficiency.”
- “Mental Health and Substance Use Services have strong, internal collaboration; clients expressed unsolicited gratitude for staff.”
- COA reviewers said that not only were staff knowledgeable within their respective programs, but they were also “caring, understanding, and patient.” Reviewers noted that their visits lived up to signage that said, “All are Welcome Here.”
- “The organization has made the comprehensive strategic and annual plans into living documents that drive the organization’s success and promote retention of employees.”
- “This organization is well-prepared to continue its 158-year mission heading into the future.”
Organizations like LSSI pursue COA accreditation to demonstrate the implementation of best practice standards in the field of human services. The standards driving accreditation ensure that services are well-coordinated, culturally competent, evidence-based, outcomes-oriented, and provided by a skilled and supported workforce.
The reaccreditation for LSSI is approved through February 28, 2030.
About Council on Accreditation (COA)
COA Accreditation, a service of Social Current, is an independent, not-for-profit accreditor of the full continuum of community-based behavioral health care and social service organizations in the United States and Canada. Over 2,000 organizations—voluntary, public, and proprietary; local and statewide; large and small—have either successfully achieved accreditation or are currently engaged in the process.
