Accreditation 101The Corps Network 2015 National

Conference Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Introductions Process Discussion Standards Overview Changes in 2015 Accreditation Costs Peer Reviewers 2014 Accredited Corps Q&A Contact information

Agenda

ECO (2001 – 2010) Provisional Accreditation (2012/2013) Full Accreditation (2014 and forward)

80 Core standards 4 Optional Corps Model Endorsements

21CSC Human Service Corps Education Corps Workforce Development Corps

Brief History

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.

What is Accreditation?

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 (Current)

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

Benefits of Accreditation (Potential)

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: Requirements

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: Accreditation Timeline

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.

Process: Policies

Governance and Accountability Purpose and Activities Organizational Development Financial Management Organizational Risk Management

Standards: General Operational and Governance

Participant Age Citizenship Emphasis on Diversity & Inclusion Service Organization of Work Corps Capacity Leadership & Governance Staff Development

Standards: Corps Operational Standards (1)

Risk Management & Safety 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 (2)

Participant Experience Compensation Participant Orientation, Training &

Supervision Commitment to Service Project Quality Evaluation Information Sharing

Standards: Corps Operational Standards (3)

Corps Models 21st Century Conservation Corps Human Service Corps Education Corps Workforce Development Corps

Standards – Optional Specific Capacity

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.

Governance and Accountability Examples

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.

Accreditation Changes in 2015

Lack of specific succession policy Lack of a clear Whistleblower policy with a non-

retaliation 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

Common Issues

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”

Key Tips

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.)

Accreditation Costs

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 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.

What is a Lead Reviewer?

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.

Benefits of Being a Reviewer

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.)

Desk Review vs. On-Site Review

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

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

For additional information on the review process, on how to be a reviewer, or to talk about technical assistance, contact:

Allen Dietz, Accreditation Consultant allenjdietz@gmail.com or 509-630-8124

Joe Gersen, The Corps Network jgersen@corpsnetwork.org or 202-737-6272

Resource link: http://www.corpsnetwork.org/accreditation

Contact Information