Transcript Accreditation Reviewer Overview

Accreditation 101
The Corps Network 2015 National Conference
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
Agenda
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Introductions
Process Discussion
Standards Overview
Changes in 2015
Accreditation Costs
Peer Reviewers
2014 Accredited Corps
Q&A
Contact information
Brief History
 ECO (2001 – 2010)
 Provisional Accreditation (2012/2013)
 Full Accreditation (2014 and forward)
 80 Core standards
 4 Optional Corps Model Endorsements
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21CSC
Human Service Corps
Education Corps
Workforce Development Corps
What is Accreditation?
 Accreditation is an in-depth review of general operations,
financial management, risk management, governance
standards, and Corps operations.
 Through the process Corps demonstrate their
accountability to their Corpsmembers and their
communities.
 Provides the assurance of quality that partners (especially
donors and funders) look for.
 Recognizes Corps ability to provide safe, appropriate,
meaningful experiences meeting community &
conservation needs.
Benefits of Accreditation (Current)
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Continuous Improvement
External Validation
Board of Directors
Professional Relationships
Benefit to Corpsmembers
Mentorship and Technical Assistance
The Value of Self-Assessment
Experienced Peer Reviewers
Cost-Effective Assessment
A Forum to Gather Partners
Access to the Knowledge of the Corps Community
Improving Quality of the Entire Corps Movement
Benefits of Accreditation (Potential)
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Leveraging Funding
Marketing
Stepping Stone to Additional Assessments and Certifications
Strategic Planning
Funding Preference or Requirement
Legislation
Federal Recognition
Other Benefits to CMs including Federal Hiring Benefits
AmeriCorps
Insurance Cost Savings
Process: Requirements
 Applicants must have 2 years operating a corps
program
 Must meet General Operational and Governance
Standards
 Must meet Corps Operational Standards
 Accreditation lasts for 5 years
Process: Accreditation Timeline
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Mentoring (pre-step)
Notice of intent
Written application/desk review (2-3 reviewers)
Site visit (2-3 reviewers for 2-3 days)
Report and decision
Appeal process
Annual responsibilities (reporting & providing peer
reviewers)
Process: Policies
 Corps will be accredited if Corps is in substantial
compliance with accreditation standards. (Corps has
addressed each standard and meets the larger intent
of each standard.)
 Corps will be given a reasonable amount of time to
correct minor deficits.
 Substantial non-compliance is a basis for denying
accreditation.
 Intent is that Corps meets standards prior to site visit.
Standards: General Operational and
Governance
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Governance and Accountability
Purpose and Activities
Organizational Development
Financial Management
Organizational Risk Management
Standards: Corps Operational
Standards (1)
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Participant Age
Citizenship
Emphasis on Diversity & Inclusion
Service
Organization of Work
Corps Capacity
Leadership & Governance
Staff Development
Standards: Corps Operational
Standards (2)
 Risk Management & Safety
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A Corps culture of safety & risk reduction
CMS safety
Supervision
Small Tool Safety
Response and Crisis Management Procedures
Vehicle Safety
 Participant Outcomes
Standards: Corps Operational
Standards (3)
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Participant Experience
Compensation
Participant Orientation, Training & Supervision
Commitment to Service Project Quality
Evaluation
Information Sharing
Standards – Optional Specific
Capacity
 Corps Models
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21st Century Conservation Corps
Human Service Corps
Education Corps
Workforce Development Corps
Governance and Accountability
Examples
1.5 The governing body adopts a whistle-blower policy (Sarbanes
Oxley act).
1.6 The governing body (or management team) periodically reviews
and, as necessary, revises the by-laws or self-governing document.
1.7 The governing body adopts a document retention process per
the Sarbanes Oxley Act requirements.
1.8 The governing body adopts policies to ensure compliance with
IRS prohibition on political and partisan activities by persons
representing the Corps.
1.9 The governing body adopts policies around nepotism, interested
parties, conflict of interest and fraternization.
Accreditation Changes in 2015
 Letters of Intent are due by March 15, 2015.
 Full applications are due by May 1, 2015. Payment is due with
application.
 Site visits will be scheduled after your application is received.
 New application form will be available by February 20, 2015,
please do NOT use the 2014 application.
 Colorado and California programs now have to respond to all
standards.
 Examples of types of documentation needed will be provided for
each standard.
 Applications and supporting documentation will be uploaded to
a Dropbox folder. You’ll be provided with the Dropbox address
once we confirm your participation in the process.
Common Issues
 Lack of specific succession policy
 Lack of a clear Whistleblower policy with a nonretaliation clause
 Policies on conflict of interest and fraternization
didn’t apply across the organization
 Policies on political activity didn’t apply across the
organization
 Lack of written policies for one or more standards
 Confusing organization of uploaded documents
Key Tips
 Use the accreditation application to tell your story.
Assume the people reading the application don’t
know anything about your Corps.
 Provide clear, detailed, comprehensive answers that
specifically address the standards. (Answers on the
application are used, in part, to determine the focus
of the site visit.)
 Organize attached documentation – for example,
number attachments to match standards: “1.5-ABC
Corps Whistleblower Policy”
Accreditation Costs
Fee Schedule:
$1,800 (less than $1 million budget)
$2,800 ($1 million - $3 million budget)
$4,300 ($3 million - $5 million budget)
$5,300 ($5 million - $10 million budget)
$8,300 ($10 million or larger budget)
 Reviewer’s program pays travel costs (airfare)
 Host site (applicant) pays on-site costs (hotel, meals, local
travel, etc.)
What is a Reviewer?
 An experienced, management-level staff person at a
Corps or someone with significant Corps experience;
 Interested in learning and helping other Corps;
 Interested in furthering the Corps movement;
 Willing to commit the time to the process;
 Home Corps willing to pay travel expenses
15 -20 Reviewers needed this year.
What is a Lead Reviewer?
Same requirements as peer reviewer PLUS:
 Experience as a reviewer in ECO or 2014 Accreditation
process as a reviewer;
 Willing to participate in both paper & site review;
 Willing to write site-visit summary and participate in
conference calls.
16 Lead Reviewers needed this year.
Benefits of Being a Reviewer
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Professional development opportunities;
Learn from other Corps – bring back to your Corps;
Build professional relationships;
Contribute to the Corps movement;
Travel to exciting locations
Accredited Corps are expected to contribute to the
reviewer pool as a condition of accreditation.
Desk Review vs. On-Site Review
 At least 2 reviewers (including the lead reviewer)
complete a comprehensive review of the written
application.
 Determination on whether to proceed based on desk
review
 If yes, 2 – 3 reviewers conduct a 2 – 3 day site visit.
(Lead reviewer is same who reviewed the written
application.)
2014 Accredited Corps
 American Youth Works
 Anchorage Park Foundation Youth Employment in Parks
 CiviCorps
 Conservation Corps of Long
Beach
 Conservation Legacy
 Earth Corps
 Kupu
 Larimer County Conservation
Corps
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Los Angeles Conservation Corps
Northwest Youth Corps
Rocky Mountain Youth Corps (CO)
Sacramento Regional Conservation
Corps
 Utah Conservation Corps
 Western Colorado Conservation
Corps
Q&A
Contact Information
For additional information on the review process, on how to
be a reviewer, or to talk about technical assistance, contact:
 Allen Dietz, Accreditation Consultant
[email protected] or 509-630-8124
 Joe Gersen, The Corps Network
[email protected] or 202-737-6272
Resource link: http://www.corpsnetwork.org/accreditation