AIRS Certification and Accreditation

Certification Accreditation Study Groups ABC's of I&R

Certification

Certification Information

Inform USA Certification is a professional credentialing program for individuals working within the I&R sector of human services.

Certification is a measurement of documented knowledge in the field of I&R and I&R/A reflecting specific competencies and related performance criteria, which describe the knowledge, skills, attitudes and work-related behaviors needed by I&R practitioners to successfully execute their duties. The Inform USA Certification Program is operated in alignment with national standards for credentialing organizations.

Certification is available for three specializations within I&R. Individuals who successfully pass the Inform USA certification examination are awarded professional certification (and a lapel pin!), and may use the following credentials after their names:

CIRS — Certification for I&R Specialists
CIRS-A/D — Certification for I&R Specialists in Aging/Disability
CRS — Certification for Resource Specialists

For more detailed information about certification, visit www.informusa.org

Certification Manager

Inform USA
4800 Hampden Lane STE 200
Bethesda, Maryland 20814
240.744.4742
gro.asumrofninull@ofni

Accreditation

What is Inform USA Accreditation?

Inform USA Accreditation assesses the ability of an I&R program to demonstrate full compliance with the Inform USA Standards for Professional Information and Referral.

It is the primary quality assurance mechanism for affirming I&R excellence. Accreditation is a multi-phase process that assesses more than 200 distinct operational components and culminates in a detailed onsite review.

The importance of Inform USA Accreditation is endorsed by both national and state entities as a benchmark for all I&R providers. For 2-1-1 services in particular, it has been deemed an absolute requirement for funding in most states.

Inform USA Accreditation provides:

An objective evidence of achievement in the areas of service quality and effectiveness, community involvement and organizational stability
Demonstrated commitment on the part of your leadership to meeting the highest standards in the field
Enhanced credibility in the eyes of the public and your other stakeholders
A stronger position in what is emerging as a competitive field (some funders are requiring accreditation)
Expanded access to new markets, government funding and foundation grants
Improved protection against legal challenges
International recognition by your peers in the I&R sector

For more information about Inform USA Accreditation, go to www.informusa.org or contact Inform USA at (703) 218-AIRS (2477) or email at gro.asumrofninull@ofni.

Study Groups

“Get Started” Study Groups

Inform Wisconsin sponsors “getting started” study groups. The study groups are designed to support Information and Referral / Assistance Specialists taking the Certification for I&R Specialists (CIRS) and the Certification for I&R Specialists in Aging and Disability (CIRS-A/D) exams.

Study Group Schedules

Study groups are scheduled periodically upon request. Submit a request under the Contact Us section.
Registration is due no later than one week before the study group.

ABC's of I&R

The ABC’s of I&R, a 500+ page publication, is the foundation for training all Information & Referral (or Information & Assistance) Specialists and Resource Specialists. It is an invaluable aid for preparing existing staff for certification examinations.

The ABCs contains over 20 sections on the I&R / I&A process (from greeting to closure), advocacy and empowerment, follow-up, crisis intervention, confidentiality, challenging inquirers. Several sections are devoted to specific populations. And several detail the structure and use of a resource database. Are you or your staff preparing to take the Inform USA certification exam? Are you or your staff in training for I&R / I&A positions -- or in need of refresher training. Then the ABC’s is the number one resource for you.

Inform Wisconsin has obtained several copies of the ABC’s of I&R. They are available for loan. The ABCs will be shipped to you.

If interested in borrowing a copy of the ABC's of I&R from Inform Wisconsin, please contact us at moc.liamgnull@nisnocsiwmrofni