11-26-1990 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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r v! •’a VJi 1 • i .>i ii K*s I •j assure the Commission (D that the agenc\’ and us governmental unit understand all elements of the program (descnbed in informational matenals previ ously sent to the agent7 by the Commission) and i2) that they are willing to commit the resource^ neces- sarv for accreditation. Q How long does it take to become accredited? Generally, agencies comply with all applicable standards within 18 months to two years after the; enter the accreditation process. Q For what period is an agency accredited, and what is expected of an accredited agency? Accreditation is for a five-year period. Once accredited, agencies are expected to remain in com pliance with those standards under which accreditation was awarded. Accredited agencies are required to file annual reports that testify to continuing compliance. Agencies are encouraged to initiate the reaccreditation process as soon as practical, but not later than month 42 following accreditation. " Many officers participated in the accreditation process and it gave them a sense of ownership and a strong belief in themselves. Chief Ronald 51( )t)U Greeit’x. Colorado Q How many agency personnel are involved in the accreditation effort? The individual designated as the agenc, s accreditation manager will be involved throughout the accreditation period. The manager will often require secretarial and other assistance and may provide orientation and training for other agency personnel who are assigned to gather compliance documentation, to conduct different aspects of the self-assessment and cooperate with the Commission's on site assessment team. 8 Q V\ hat qualities are needed in accreditation managers? Based ■■'n the experiences of accredited agencies and those in self-assessment, accrediution managers are highly-motivated, seif-suners who have a goixl rappon with ail staff levels. Selection of the accredi tation manager i.s critical to success. Q \\ hat are the major steps in the accreditation pnKess? Once an agency submits a formal application tor accrediDtion. the Commission determines w hether the agency meets eligibility entena and. if so. requests that the agency complete an agency profile questionnaire. It is designed to elicit information about the agency's size. resp<')nsibilities. functions pert'ormed. organization, management, etc. This information permits the Commission to reconfirm the agency 's eligibility and to determine which standards are applicable to the agenev. Using forms and instructions supplied by the Commission, the agency conducts its own a.s.sessment to determine the extent to which it meets applicable standards and assembles the necessary proofs of compliance. The time period for completion of self-assess ment is tlexibie. It depends on the agency's resources, the chief e.xecutive officer, the accredita tion manager, and many other variables. It can take several months The important thing is to get started with the right materials and information — the Items ^ont after the initial fee payment. Then, experience >hows it takes an agency, which has assigned a full-time accreditation manager, from a year to 18 months. Upon reviewing the self-as.sessmeni repon and finding it acceptable, the Convnission sends a team of assessors to the agency to venfy its compliance with standards. This involves e.xamining the proofs of compliance that thf agency assembled during the self-assessment phase and. in keeping with the Commission's desire to maintain an open accredita tion process, providing agency employees and the general public an opportunity 'o comment on the agency's compliance with applicable standards through phone and personal interviews, and letters. After the Commission's staff reviews the assess ment team's repon, it is forwarded—along with staff recommendations —:o the Commission, which either ■ •*: -J.'U'