ACPE Formalizes Recognition Task Force
(ATLANTA, GA)— Today, the ACPE is pleased to formally announce the formation of the Recognition Task Force which was commissioned by its Board of Directors and executive leadership. The creation of the Recognition Task Force reflects ACPE's ongoing dedication to maintaining its position as the premier accreditor of Clinical Pastoral Education and related programs in the United States. Through this initiative, ACPE seeks to strengthen its standing through additive recognition(s) that formally endorse its work and broader community impact.
“I am grateful to the task force members for their willingness to support ACPE in this very important work,” said Lynnett Glass, Executive Director of ACPE. “Collectively, these members bring decades of experience in the delivery of CPE and first-hand knowledge of best practices in the spiritual education industry.”
For more than 55 years, ACPE has been a leader in clinical pastoral education, offering accreditation to more than 400 programs across 300+ locations. ACPE Certified Educators provide essential training for spiritual care providers to support patients, families, staff, and communities in a broad variety of settings and clinical environments. Through hands-on experience and expert guidance, these professionals learn to deliver compassionate spiritual care that respects all individuals and faith traditions.
“So that we can best accomplish the work we are called to do, going forward, our focus remains - to continue to be the gold standard in CPE. We will put all of our energy into designing our standards in a way that makes sense and is attainable for every accredited program,” said ACPE Board Chair, Rev. Dr. Cecelia Ann Walker.
The purpose and main objectives of the Recognition Task Force are to:
- Review feedback from the United States Department of Education (USDE) and analyze ACPE’s most recent submissions in relation to USDE guidelines;
- Assess and prepare recommendations to strengthen ACPE’s accreditation process overall;
- Explore potential alternatives for recognition of ACPE as an accrediting body; and
- Prepare application(s) for appropriate recognition bodies.
Recognition Task Force Members Include:
- David Carnish – ACPE Board Member
- Tammerie Day – ACPE Board Member
- Katherine Higgins – ACPE Board Member
- Amy Seat – Chair, Accreditation Commission
- Pat Kelly – Chair-Elect, Accreditation Commission
- Jeff Holman – Chair-Elect, Certification Committee
- Marianne Robbins – Chair-Elect, Professional Ethics Commission
- Tom Knowles-Bagwell – ACPE Psychotherapist
- Judy Ragsdale – Certified Educator
- Alicia Po Ching – Veterans Administration
- Mark Lee – U.S. Army
- Angela Flack – Certified Educator
- Robin Brown-Haithco – Retired Educator
- Alice Hunt – External Consultant/ Task Force Facilitator
The Recognition Task Force begins its work in earnest this month. It will present its findings and recommendations by August 2025 and conclude its work by November 2025. Along the way, ACPE will continue to provide regular updates. For additional information, please visit www.acpe.edu or contact ACPE via (acpe@acpe.edu or (404) 320-1472).
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About ACPE
ACPE is the standard for spiritual care and education. Our diverse membership includes Certified CPE Educators, Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapists, Spiritual Care Professionals and Practitioners, Pastoral Counselors, Chaplains, Faith Communities, and Seminaries. Our multi-disciplinary, multi-faith, multi-racial community of professionals provides education, connection, and formation through continuing education, networking, and leadership development. ACPE provides the highest-quality CPE programs for spiritual care professionals of any faith and in any setting. We do this through a rigorous accreditation and certification process for CPE centers and educators.