On Thursday, September 28 at 2:30 p.m., the Rochester Council on Aging will be launching its year-long initiative to seek national senior center accreditation from the National Council on Aging, at a forum at the Rochester Senior Center.

The Senior Center is encouraging anyone who wants to learn more about the process or who may be interested in volunteering to help out to attend.

The self-assessment phase of the process, which is approximately a nine-month commitment, consists of organizing nine committees of volunteers to review the senior center operation over the past five years.

Following the self-assessment process, a five-year strategic plan will be developed, which incorporates and is based on the results coming from those nine committees.

Additionally, a portfolio notebook containing required documents and reports, including the strategic plan mentioned, is assembled and submitted to the National Council on Aging for review.

Lastly, an on-site "Peer Reviewer" will visit our senior center for a day, after reviewing our portfolio notebook, and will speak to those volunteers and staff members who assisted in the self-assessment process.

The Peer Reviewer will consult with an off-site Peer Reviewer and together they compile a lengthy report, which is submitted to the National Council on Aging, with their recommendation for full accreditation.