LSSI received its final accreditation report from the Council on Accreditation (COA) for its review period in November 2025 showing high standards organization-wide.
LSSI was evaluated on over 1,300 standards and earned “full implementation” status—the highest possible rating— on 98% of the standards.
“Reaccreditation upholds LSSI’s continuing efforts to always improve how we deliver services to the people with whom we share in life,” said LSSI President and CEO Mark 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.”
The COA Reviewers commended LSSI’s realization of its mission, culture, and executive leadership. Report highlights included:
- Staff are knowledgeable within their respective programs and “caring, understanding, and patient.”
- “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.”
- 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.”
- “Mental Health and Substance Use Services have strong, internal collaboration; clients expressed unsolicited gratitude for staff.”
- LSSI’s strategic and annual plans are “living documents that drive the organization’s success and promote retention of employees.”
The achievement reflects nine months of preparation. Specially trained reviewers evaluated more than 50 LSSI programs, reviewing 49 client records and conducting
174 formal interviews—including foster parents, clients, staff, and board members. LSSI produced 3,000 pieces of evidence for review.
