HOW DO WE SUSTAIN ACCREDITATION?

Accreditation is key to sustaining a culture of quality within an agency. COA's maintenance of accreditation processes enhances the value of accreditation in the post-accreditation years by promoting continuous implementation of/performance with COA's standards throughout an agency's accreditation cycle. These mechanisms ultimately increase the value of COA accreditation to the agency's internal and external stakeholders.

COA's maintenance of accreditation process is composed of three components:

1. Self-reporting of critical incidents and significant occurrences. (see Related Files)
2. Participation in the review of third-party concerns or complaints
3. Completion of an Annual Maintenance of Accreditation (MOA) Report (see Related Files).

The MOA Report:

• Demonstrates your agency's commitment to the pursuit of organizational excellence and quality service delivery for persons served.
• Affirms your agency's ongoing implementation of/performance with COA's standards.

Following COA’s review of the annual MOA Report, an accredited agency may receive recognition for demonstration of an exemplary quality/performance improvement initiative. Recognition received by accredited agencies has progressively increased within the last few years (see “Recognition Received” under Related Files). COA is pleased to provide to the public the names of these accredited agencies for 2010 (see “Agencies Recognized for MOA Reports 2009-2010” under Related Files).

During the time an agency is not pursuing COA accreditation, it is welcome to contact COA's Client Relation Division regarding all accreditation-related questions. Additionally, it can access standards updates by visiting the Updates page.