THE ALLENDALE ASSOCIATION RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS AWARD
FOR INNOVATIVE PRACTICES

The Allendale Association recently received an Innovative Practices Award for its REStArTsm treatment model.  REStArT (Relational Re-Enactment Systems Approach to Treatment) is a comprehensive systems-approach to treatment with youth who struggle with emotional, behavioral, and mental health challenges. 

REStArT is based on thirteen principles that guide human service professionals, family members and youth in developing interventions to help break chronic “conflict cycles”, repair relationships and learn new ways to be successful at home, in school, and in the community.

The award was presented by The Council on Accreditation (COA), a 34 year-old independent not-for-profit international accreditor of the full continuum of community-based behavioral health care and human service organizations.  Allendale was one of three groups to receive the 2011 Innovative Practices Award.

“We are so pleased to receive this special recognition because it validates the work we are doing at Allendale,” said Mary Shahbazian, president of the Allendale Association.  “This award also acknowledges the REStArt program as an innovative and evidence-based team approach to helping kids and families in need to learn better ways to cope, deal with conflict and implement a positive life plan,” concluded Shahbazian.

The COA Innovative Practices Award was created to acknowledge accredited and first time applicant organizations that implement new and forward thinking practices that enhance the quality of services provided to vulnerable children, youth, adults, and families and are consistent with theory, practice, wisdom, and expert consensus reflected in current professional literature. 

COA’s Innovative Practices Award is designed to provide organizations the opportunity to share and be rewarded for uniquely meeting the needs of a service population and/or implementing distinctive methods for improving organizational capacity.

In a formal statement, the COA said, “It is extremely proud to recognize The Allendale Association for their creative work and innovative use of resources, and is honored that they are part of the COA family.”

For more information about the Allendale Association and its programs, please call 847- 356-2351 or visit the Web site at www.allendale4kids.org.