YMCA of Metro Atlanta Achieves National Accreditation for Excellence in Child Safety
Thursday, March 26th, 2026
The YMCA of Metro Atlanta has achieved Praesidium Accreditation® by Praesidium, the leader in abuse risk management. Praesidium Accreditation® is a prestigious honor that publicly demonstrates that the organization has met the highest industry standards in abuse prevention. This accreditation affirms the comprehensive safety protocols and abuse prevention practices the YMCA of Metro Atlanta strives to maintain.
To achieve Accreditation, the YMCA of Metro Atlanta underwent a rigorous process to evaluate the YMCA of Metro Atlanta’s existing safety practices and implement Praesidium’s Accreditation Standards focusing on eight primary operational areas within their business: policies, screening and selection, training, monitoring and supervision, consumer participation, internal feedback systems, responding and administrative practices.
Praesidium then verified YMCA of Metro Atlanta’s successful implementation of these standards. The YMCA of Metro Atlanta will be accredited for three years and commits to uphold fundamental organizational values and stringent safety practices that demonstrate their commitment to protecting those in their care from abuse.
Praesidium Accreditation® affirms the Y’s ongoing commitment to creating safe environments where youth can learn, grow, and thrive.
“At the YMCA of Metro Atlanta, youth and teen safety is a non-negotiable, it’s foundational to everything we do,” said Lauren Koontz, president and CEO of the YMCA of Metro Atlanta. “We’ve long held ourselves to the highest standards when it comes to protecting the children and teens in our care. This accreditation affirms that our policies, practices, and culture are aligned with the nation’s leading standards in abuse prevention. It’s a strong reminder to the families we serve that the Y is, and always will be, a safe place to grow.”
This accreditation is part of a national YMCA of the USA requirement for all YMCA associations by 2027. The YMCA of Metro Atlanta is among the first 20% of YMCA associations to complete this process and achieve accreditation.
