COA is pleased to welcome the participation of international guests at our 2009 National Conference. Our guests were invited by our Board of Trustees’ International Task Force through a generous grant by Consuelo Foundation and the support of our Trustees. While here, our guests are learning about COA accreditation and sharing their experiences regarding the delivery of human services in their home countries. This is also a unique opportunity for COA to learn about service practices in developing countries and for our accredited and in-process organizations to expand their cultural competencies.

Our international guests are attending all of the conference-related activities. In addition, they will be participating in a pre-conference training session on Sunday and a customized workshop on Monday, and are featured at the Networking Breakfast on Tuesday.

A Special Program for Volunteers

Sunday, August 9, 1:00 – 4:30 PM

COA is delighted to host Volunteer Day, a special event honoring Team Leaders, Peer Reviewers, Hague Evaluators, and After-School Program Endorsers for their exceptional work and continued dedication to the accreditation process. COA’s volunteers are an invaluable asset to our stakeholders, especially to the millions of children, youth, individuals, and families served by our accredited organizations. We are pleased to honor them with this much deserved celebration. 
 
This event will provide an opportunity for our reviewers to share valuable information with each other, reflect on memorable site visit experiences, and most importantly, have fun! We look forward to hearing your insights and ideas as well as showing you our appreciation for all that you do for us. We couldn’t do it without you.

Public Agency Roundtable

Sunday, August 9, 1:00 – 4:30 PM

Since its inception in 1999, the public agency roundtable has provided COA with a means to develop partnerships and strengthen existing relationships with public child welfare agencies and achieve our mutual goal—the improvement of service delivery within the public sector. Public agencies are currently operating in an extremely difficult environment. Our lagging economy, along with federal and state deficits, have created arduous financial pressures. COA’s 2009 Public Agency Roundtable provides an opportunity for attendees to address issues and concerns specific to the public sector and discuss how accreditation can assist public agencies in this turbulent environment.

Opening Reception 

Sunday, August 9, 5:00 – 7:00 PM

COA’s 2009 National Conference officially opens on Sunday, August 9, with a late-afternoon reception in the magnificent Empire Room at the Waldorf=Astoria. The Empire Room is located on the lobby level on the Park Avenue side of the hotel.

Please join us in welcoming all of our conference attendees, including our Peer Reviewers, Team Leaders, Accreditation Commissioners, Board Trustees, representatives of Sponsoring and Supporting Organizations, and all of our other stakeholders who share our vision of excellence in the delivery of human services globally.

Consuelo Foundation Peer Reviewer Award

Award presentation at the luncheon on Monday, August 10, 1:00 – 3:00 PM 

More than 1000 volunteer Peer Reviewers and Team Leaders form an integral and invaluable component of our (re)accreditation process. By donating their time, energy, and expertise to COA through their onsite reviews of organizations pursuing (re)accreditation, these esteemed individuals perform an extraordinary service and successfully assist us in fulfilling our mission. As such, we are forever indebted to them.

The Consuelo Foundation Peer Reviewer Award is being presented to Wesley V. Young in recognition of his work and commitment to the value of COA accreditation. Patti J. Lyons, former President and CEO of Consuelo Foundation, is presenting the award.

Established in 1988 by Mrs. Consuelo Zobel Alger, Consuelo Foundation currently operates programs in Hawaii and the Philippines on behalf of disadvantaged children, women, and families. The Foundation’s mission is to reduce child abuse and neglect, enhance the well-being and status of under-privileged women, and strengthen families and communities. Consuelo Foundation is COA-accredited.

Innovative Practices Award

Award presentation at the luncheon on Monday, August 10, 1:00 – 3:00 PM 

The Innovative Practices Award is presented to COAaccredited and in-process organizations that demonstrate the effective application of new and forward-looking practices to improve service delivery. The award provides an opportunity for organizations to share and be acknowledged for successfully and uniquely meeting the needs of a population and/or implementing distinctive methods for improving organizational capacity.

The recipient of the Spring 2009 Innovative Practices Award is Saint Johns County Health & Human Services Department. Additionally, the Fall 2008 winners are on hand to share their innovative practices at the Networking Breakfast on Tuesday morning.

Reception Honoring COA’s Accreditation Commissioners

Monday, August 9, 5:30 – 7:00 PM

COA is pleased to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of its Accreditation Commissioners by hosting a reception in their honor. The Accreditation Commission is COA’s decision-making body and is comprised of our most experienced and knowledgeable volunteer professionals. Commissioners serve a critical role in partnering with COA and providing guidance on how to help organizations strengthen their mission and measure and validate their achievements.

This reception provides an opportunity for COA to honor these highly regarded individuals, as well as provide a forum for them to meet and reconnect with each other and COA staff.

Please note this event is by invitation only and will be held in Peacock Alley.

Networking Breakfast

Tuesday, August 11, 8:00 – 9:30 AM

One of the goals of our 2009 conference is to create a unique forum that facilitates discussion among staff from accredited, in-process and prospective organizations around topics of mutual interest. With that in mind, we are holding a networking breakfast featuring topic tables hosted by a variety of stakeholders, including COA’s Sponsoring Organizations, international guests, Innovative Practices Award winners, and COA staff that we are certain will spark discussions, create lasting connections and provide organizations the opportunity to learn and be resources for one another.