ACA International Foundation Receives ASAE Award of Excellence

ACA International Foundation, the charitable arm of ACA International, The Association of Credit and Collection Professionals (ACA), has won the Award of Excellence in the 2006 Associations Advance America Awards program, a national competition sponsored by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE).

The Foundation received the award for its Receivables Management Training (RMT) program, an innovative partnership between the association, ACA member companies and vocational rehabilitation centers giving people with disabilities access to careers in the accounts receivable management industry.

Now in its 16th year, the prestigious Associations Advance America Awards recognize associations that propel America forward?with innovative projects in education, skills training, standards-setting, business and social innovation, knowledge creation, citizenship and community service.

The RMT program was developed in 2000 with the Jackson, Tenn.-based STAR Center, the nation?s largest assistive technology center, serving over 17,000 people a year.

Through this program, graduates can attain a rewarding and fulfilling career in a work environment that is tailored to their needs?and their strengths. Graduates are placed for employment with ACA members in their communities. The program serves an important need by restoring a measure of independence to persons who may otherwise have to rely on public assistance. To date, 113 people with a wide variety of disabilities have achieved long term employment as credit and collection professionals with 37 participating ACA member offices.

The Foundation developed the training curriculum and continues to support the program by gifting education materials. The Foundation also funds the expansion of the RMT program to other centers across the country. The RMT program was recently replicated at centers in Georgia, Florida, Ohio and Mississippi.