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CONTACT COA
Ask a Question of a COA Staff Member
Do you have a question about accreditation or the standards? Fill out the Contact Us form and your question(s) will be directed to the appropriate COA staff member who can best assist you. Contact Us Now >>
FAQS AND SOLUTIONS
Find a Solution to a Frequently Asked Question
The Solutions Database is a searchable knowledgebase containing answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding COA standards and the accreditation process. The entries comprised in the database are designed to help organizations and volunteers gain more detailed information about specific elements of COA’s accreditation process and offer further clarification on the standards. Begin your search here and, if you are unable to find an answer to your question, contact your Accreditation Coordinator, Submit a Support Ticket, or Contact Us. Find an Answer Now >>
MOST REVIEWED
Q: Does COA utilize satisfaction surveys with the clients served by its accredited organizations?
A: As part of COA's accreditation process, organizations distribute a consumer questionnaire that includes questions on satisfaction. That information is provided to peer reviewers. COA's Performance and Quality Improvement (PQI) standards indicate that organizations should survey their own clients to measure satisfaction.
Q: Who conducts case record reviews?
A: Case records can be reviewed by a number of different staff member pairings including the worker and a supervisor, or a clinical, service, or peer team. If all staff members are involved in each client's service plan, then a team review will suffice. There are standards that address this within each service section.
Q: What is reportable to COA?
A: Organizations are asked to report to COA what is listed in the appropriate section of the applicable Accreditation Policies and Procedures Manual. This section of the manual describes in detail the types of occurrences, changes, incidents or events that should be self-reported as well as the time frames for reporting.
SUBMIT A SUPPORT TICKET
Submit Questions in Your COA Portal
Submit a question. View your responses. Track your open and closed support tickets with COA. Visitors without a My COA portal or VIP account may Contact Us to submit a question. Submit a Support Ticket >>
TOOLS AND RESOURCES
Tools and Resources is a one-stop source for tip sheets, document templates, self-paced trainings, checklists and many other tools. The tools contained in the section are designed to help your organization or program better understand the standards and successfully navigate the accreditation process.
Use the search and filters to find relevant tools and resources. Keep your search broad and then narrow it down by adding additional filters once you find a set of applicable resources.
Start Here >>
POPULAR RESOURCES
Accreditation Workplan Template
Assign tasks, establish due dates, track assignments, monitor task completion, and more with this easily adaptable accreditation work plan template. Helps meet the Month 1 work plan submission milestone.
Case Record Checklist
The Case Record Checklist is a useful guide to COA’s expectations for the content of case records. It can be used by organizations during mock visits which many organizations conduct in advance of an upcoming site visit. Additionally, it can be useful to organizations that are developing a case record review tool.
How to Write a Procedure Tip Sheet
Provides guidance on how to develop an effective procedure.
How to Write a Policy Tip Sheet
Provides guidance on how to develop an effective policy.
Organization Accreditation Training Template
Staff responsible for coordinating their organization’s effort to get accredited can use this PowerPoint presentation to train staff about COA, the standards, the accreditation process, and other topics.
GLOSSARY
Glossary terms can often help elaborate on the meaning of a standard and/or give context to the standard. View the glossary for a full list of terms used throughout each set of standards.
TRAINING AND EVENTS
Find a Helpful Training
Attend an online webinar or look for classroom trainings in your area. Attend a Training >>
POPULAR TRAININGS
Intensive Accreditation Training (IAT)
IAT is a classroom training that provides a basic overview of COA's Private, Public and Canadian Standards, the COA process, and the fundamental organizational requirements for achieving accreditation.
Performance and Quality Improvement (PQI)
PQI is designed to help organizations develop a comprehensive approach to a quality improvement process that will advance an efficient, effective service delivery system and will enhance organizational capacity to deliver quality services.
How to Prepare for Reaccreditation (HPR)
HPR is designed to assist organizations already accredited with COA in their preparations for reaccreditation.
POPULAR WEBINARS & WEBCASTS
PQI Webinar Series
These three webinars will help participants plan and implement an effective quality i
Part 1: An Introduction to COA PQI Standards
Part 2: Outcomes and Measures
Part 3: Closing the Loop: Using Performance and Outcomes Data
Get Organized! Creating an Accreditation Workplan
This one hour interactive webinar will provide guidance on getting organized for the accreditation process with the goal of developing an accreditation work plan.
A Brief Introduction to COA and the Accreditation Process
Designed for people with little or no knowledge of COA, this introductory webinar provides an overview of the Council on Accreditation and the accreditation process.
An Introduction to COA's Standards Website
This webcast provides a walk-through of COA's standards website including the organization and structure of the standards.