Connections

The 2012 edition of the Accreditation Standards are now available to download.  http://staff.teenchallengeusa.com/file_share/view/27  You will note a few changes.  The one change you’ll notice right off is the two-column format is not being used.  That change eliminated seven pages from the standards which now number 32. … [ read more ]

Before I call a director to set up their next accreditation date for the coming year, I say a prayer for them and their staff that they would guard their hearts and minds so as not to fall into sin, lose credibility, and have to … [ read more ]

You’re a Teen Challenge director who suddenly finds your way blocked and staring at the business end of a reporter’s microphone.  You are about to experience what is called in the media industry the “Ambush” interview.  The story about your Teen Challenge ministry will probably … [ read more ]

Standard 49 read “There shall be timely and regular (at least monthly) documentation (i.e. progress notes) which provides the nature and progress of each student.” In my reviews, I often find many centers several months behind on this type of documentation. It is designated a … [ read more ]

Why should every Teen Challenge organization have a signed Code of Conduct Agreement with each of their employees?   As a Christian discipleship ministry, the biblical moral absolutes that govern our day-to-day behavior runs counter to the moral relativism that has been embraced by many … [ read more ]

It has been five years since Teen Challenge USA trademarked the Teen Challenge name and logo which necessitated the creation of the Certificate of Affiliation.   Five years later there are still a lot of questions about it.   In this edition of Connections online, … [ read more ]

Most of us have heard of the battle of the Alamo.  When it became clear that no relief was coming, Colonel Travis drew his line in the sand and demanded that those with him make the choice to stay and fight to the end to … [ read more ]

At the recent Teen Challenge USA Board meeting, the following change was made to Standard #2 which addresses the composition of a Teen Challenge Board.  Standard #2 now reads: Standard 2 (NR): The composition of the BOD shall: A. Be a majority of Assemblies of … [ read more ]

Standard 38 reads: Programs shall schedule a minimum average of 15 hours of structured spiritual, moral, or similar life-skills training, including chapel and prayer times, each week.  More hours are preferred. During a review, I try to see evidence that at least the minimum number … [ read more ]

I was recently asked what the difference was between Liability and Negligence.   There is a big difference and I can give examples of each from some of the things I’ve seen while doing accreditation reviews around the country.   First see how the courts … [ read more ]