Press Release: Board of Commissioners recognize Senior Services staff
Left to right front row, Davidson County Department of Senior Services staffers Katie Sprayberry (front row left) and Christie Smith (front row right) are pictured with members of the Davidson County Board of Commissioners. {Contributed photo}
Davidson County, NC – At the Monday, September 11 meeting of the Davidson County Board of Commissioners, the board recognized Davidson County Dept. of Senior Services, Senior Center Managers Christie Smith and Katie Sprayberry for their leadership in a national accreditation of the department's two senior centers. Chair to the Board, Fred McClure, presented accreditation plaques from the National Institute of Senior Centers (NISC) that will be displayed in the centers. The centers in Lexington and Thomasville were awarded accreditation on July 17. In addition to national certification, both centers are accredited "Centers of Excellence" by the North Carolina Division of Aging and Adult Services.
"Achieving national accreditation is certainly an honor, but the process presents an opportunity for our senior centers to be reviewed by peers, community partners, volunteers, and stakeholders. The process holds our staff to higher standards, challenging us to provide the highest quality programs and services for our county's older adults," states Senior Center Manager Christie Smith.
The accreditation process is a quality assurance program that examines nine different standards and requires community involvement in the self-assessment process. The Davidson County Senior Centers in Lexington and Thomasville join the prestigious list of approximately 151 senior centers nationwide, and only seven statewide who meet the qualifications developed by NISC. These standards serve as a guide for all senior centers to improve their operations today as well as position themselves for the future.
"Senior centers are a vital part of our community, as they serve a vulnerable population and help achieve a good quality of life for our older adults. We can't say enough good things about Christie and Katie going above and beyond to ensure the centers are of the highest quality for the county's older adults," states Dwight Cartner, Chair of the Davidson County Senior Services Advisory Board.
Davidson County Senior Centers are open to county residents 55 and older and offer a variety of ongoing activities and special events. The centers served 2,200 participants in the 2022-2023 fiscal year through social, health and wellness, and recreational activities.
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If you would like more information about this press release or to schedule an interview with Christie Smith or Katie Sprayberry, contact Thessia Everhart-Roberts at 336.242.2290 or email Thessia.everhart@davidsoncountync.gov
