We formally announced today the addition of our fourteenth Sponsoring Organization, the National Council for Behavioral Health (National Council), the unifying voice of America’s health care organizations that deliver mental health and addictions treatment and services.

COA Sponsoring Organizations are separately incorporated, nonprofit national membership bodies comprised of organizations that provide services that are accredited by COA. They share a goal of enhancing the well-being of individuals, families, and communities internationally through the advancement of best practices. Each Sponsoring Organization is represented on COA’s Sponsor Advisory Council (SAC), which advises the chief executive officer (CEO) and provides feedback on COA’s standards and processes. 

In addition to having a representative on COA’s Sponsor Advisory Council, members of National Council will receive a 25% discount on their COA accreditation fee.

Jody Levison-Johnson, COA’s President and CEO shared, “I couldn’t be happier about this new partnership with the National Council. The depth and breadth of their knowledge, and their membership will help enhance COA’s ability to advance best practices in behavioral health through accreditation. We are so fortunate to have forged this new collaboration with such a strong leader in the behavioral health field.”

COA and National Council will collaborate on standards development, public policy, and translating trends in the behavioral health field to standards for providing quality services to communities.

“The National Council is thrilled to be a partnering with COA. As a membership organization, our priority is to help behavioral health providers deliver high quality, reliable care to those they serve, and this collaboration will help us further achieve that goal,” said Chuck Ingoglia, National Council’s President & CEO. “Together, we will tackle complex issues and identify vulnerabilities to improve the lives of those we serve.”

About the National Council for Behavioral Health

The National Council for Behavioral Health is the unifying voice of America’s health care organizations that deliver mental health and addictions treatment and services. Together with our 3,326 member organizations serving over 10 million adults, children and families living with mental illnesses and addictions, the National Council is committed to all Americans having access to comprehensive, high-quality care that affords every opportunity for recovery. The National Council introduced Mental Health First Aid USA and more than 2 million Americans have been trained.

The Council on Accreditation (COA) realizes that the current COVID-19 environment has presented organizations with a myriad of operational challenges as they continue to operate and provide services in this new environment.  This is even more pronounced for those organizations seeking accreditation to meet the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) mandate deadlines.

To help alleviate some of the burden that organizations are currently facing, COA is providing a new Phased Accreditation option for new organizations seeking accreditation under the FFPSA mandate.  This new option will allow organizations to first achieve QRTP accreditation in advance of achieving full-organizational accreditation.

What is Phased Accreditation?

COA’s Phased Accreditation provides an organization the opportunity to accredit the mandated QRTP service area first, based on a mutually agreed upon timetable and focused standards.  The organization will then immediately proceed to its pursuit of full-organizational accreditation, in keeping with COA’s philosophy on accreditation.

Who is eligible?

New Private organizations seeking accreditation under the FFPSA mandate.

How do organizations benefit?

The Phased Accreditation option allows organizations to expedite the timeline to accredit the mandated service area while allowing the organization additional time to complete full-organizational accreditation.  This approach allows organizations to achieve QRTP Accreditation in approximately 6-8 months.

Upon successful completion of the QRTP accreditation, the organization’s program will be accredited for four years. If the organization’s remaining services are accredited within a year of the QRTP accreditation, the organization will be accredited for four years from the decision date of the organization-wide accreditation (up to 5 years).

What are the Accreditation and Site Visit fees?

Our standard Private Accreditation and Site Visit fees apply.  Members of our Sponsoring Organizations still receive the 25% discount on their Accreditation fee.  There will be an additional Site Visit and fee of $2,200 per reviewer for the QRTP portion of the Phased Accreditation. The initial Phased Accreditation Site Visit will most likely be comprised of a single Peer Reviewer. 

To learn more about our Phased Accreditation approach, please reach out to Joe Perrow.

Virtual Review Options for Organizations

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and out of an abundance of caution, COA has postponed all scheduled Site Visits through June 30, 2020.  This is not a decision we made lightly, as the safety and well-being of our volunteers and organizations is not something we would ever waver on. 

Effective July 2020, COA will offer organizations pursuing accreditation, new virtual review options to complete their Site Visit requirements, a foundational part of the accreditation process.

Incorporating feedback from our volunteers and organizations, the new options will allow organizations to move forward with completing their accreditation requirements, prioritizes the safety and health of our volunteers, organizations, and the individuals they serve, while maintaining the integrity and rigor of our accreditation process.

The virtual review options range from conducting reviews virtually, in whole or part, and some reviews with limited on-site presence. Eligibility for the virtual review options is dependent on the operational and situational environment of an organization and will remain in effect until further notice.

Virtual Reviews will occur using HIPAA compliant platform(s) and are inclusive of:

Organizations with Site Visits immediately impacted will be contacted directly by the assigned Accreditation Coordinator.

Should you have any questions regarding these options, please reach out to Ruby Goyal-Carkeek, Vice President of Accreditation at rgoyal-carkeek@coanet.org.

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Find additional resources and FAQs here.

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I hope this note finds you all healthy and well. At COA, our operations continue on an entirely remote basis. While we are all missing the camaraderie that we typically experience from being in the office, we have worked hard to adapt to ensure we can continue to be responsive to all of you while also being safe. It has definitely been an adjustment.

The COA Leadership Team continues to meet multiple times weekly to review the current situation, discuss issues that may have arisen, and make any necessary decisions. Front and center in these discussions and decisions are the health, safety, and well-being of our staff, our organizations and the people they serve, and our volunteers.

Given the continued uncertainty and the variability across states with respect to COVID-19 response and reopening, we have decided to postpone all site visits that were scheduled to occur in June. While parts of the country have proceeded with their reopening plans, there are such divergent practices, differing phases, and contrasting opinions that erring on the side of caution felt like the most prudent approach.

We are so grateful to each of you for your efforts and for your ongoing commitment to COA. As always, I invite you to reach out if you have thoughts or things you would like to share.

Wishing you the best during these challenging times.


Jody Levison-Johnson
COA President & CEO

 

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In a time when people can easily feel disconnected, we wanted to reach out to our entire COA community and share an update. As you all know, we continue to live in extremely challenging and uncertain times. Amidst all of this, COA remains committed to ensuring the health and safety of our staff, volunteers, and organizations with minimal disruption to our operations.

Our New York office remains closed and staff continue to operate on a remote basis in a virtual environment. I am pleased to report that our staff, leadership team, and board of trustees have risen to the challenge to ensure that we are able to continue to support all our organizations and maintain critical business functions to keep us up and running. This was no small undertaking and reinforces our commitment to our mission and the work that we do on behalf of all of you and those you continue to serve – thank you!

Following the guidance we continue to receive and under an abundance of caution, we have made the decision to extend the suspension of all volunteer and staff travel and will be postponing all scheduled Site Visits through May 31, 2020. This is not a decision we made lightly, but the safety and well-being of our volunteers and organizations is not something we would ever waver on. Any questions or concerns that our volunteers have can be directed to Darrell Woodliff, Associate Director of Volunteer Engagement. Organizations that are in-process should direct all questions to their COA Accreditation Coordinator, and out-of-process organizations should contact Joseph Seoane, VP of Client Relations.

We will continue to provide regular updates as the situation progresses and are maintaining a list of key resources related to COVID-19 on our website. This is updated regularly and includes a section dedicated to resources that our Sponsoring Organizations have been working hard to compile. If you are a Sponsoring Organization and have resources that are not listed, please let us know so we can get those added as soon as possible.

Thank you, our COA community, for your continued support during these trying times. I am regularly reminded that together we are strong and that we will get through this. As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly if you have any questions.

Be well and stay healthy,


Jody Levison-Johnson
COA President & CEO

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As you know, we are living in a very challenging time that continues to evolve and change, often by the hour.  I
want to take this opportunity to share with all of you how COA is planning for and addressing the current situation.

Many of you have heard me say that accreditation is not just a box to tick and that is apparent now more than ever.  We are a community – a strong community – that always comes together and pushes forward even in the most demanding of times in order to continue to support our most vulnerable populations.  Your dedication to your missions is unwavering and so is our support and dedication to all of you – you are our mission. First and foremost, the health, well-being, and safety of our staff, volunteers, organizations, and those they serve is our primary concern and highest priority.  COA continues to monitor this challenging and constantly developing situation with COVID-19 and has focused the utmost attention on protocols needed to keep our entire COA community safe and healthy.  We have been following the guidance, recommendations, and mandates of federal, state, and local governmental and public health entities to ensure that we are taking the best course of action possible.  We have compiled some key informational resources and best practices for navigating the current landscape that we will continue to update.

Based on the guidance we have received, we will be suspending all volunteer travel and cancelling all Site Visits that were scheduled to begin the week of March 23, 2020.  These restrictions will remain in place through the end of April and we will revisit and update them on an ongoing basis as more information becomes available.  Any questions or concerns that our volunteers have can be directed to Darrell Woodliff, Associate Director of Volunteer Engagement. Organizations that are in-process should direct all questions to their COA Accreditation Coordinator and out-of-process organizations should contact Joseph Seoane, VP of Client Relations.

Here at COA’s office in New York City, we are also taking proactive measures to ensure the well-being of our staff while maintaining business continuity so that we can successfully support you and all of our stakeholders.  While it is hardly business as usual given the current climate, COA has put into effect protocols and processes to protect
our staff and allow for the continued functioning of our regular operations with minimal disruption.

Effective immediately we have suspended all staff travel and instituted remote work for all COA employees. Please rest assured that our systems have been tested to ensure that you will continue to receive the same high-level of customer service that you have come to expect from us.  While business is presently as near to normal as possible for us, we do ask for your patience and understanding as there will inevitably be a few unexpected bumps in the road as we transition to a virtual work environment and the situation progresses.

I want to reassure you that even during these uncertain and unprecedented times, our leadership team and board are working tirelessly to make the best decisions.  I want to personally thank each and every one of you for your continued support, partnership, and tireless commitment to the individuals and communities you serve.

As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly if you have any questions.

Be well and thank you again,

 

Jody Levison-Johnson

President & CEO

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I realize that the ever-changing situation regarding COVID-19 is concerning and I, along with the board of trustees
and COA staff share that concern.  I wanted to take a moment to address the situation and provide an update on our
current operational status.

COA is regularly monitoring the situation and continues to conduct scheduled site visits in the United States.  The health and safety of our staff, volunteers, and organizations remain paramount and we will provide regular updates should the situation change.

Since there are many situational factors that can influence the best course of action to take regarding COVID-19, COA is encouraging all organizations to consult with federal-, state-, and/or local-level health authorities for specific guidance.

We have compiled some key resources providing up-to-date information and best practices for navigating this challenging landscape for organizations to review:

 

COA will update this page as the situation or guidance issued from public health authorities warrants.

Thank you, as always, for continuing to carry on the important work that you do on behalf of the communities you serve.

 

Jody Levison-Johnson

President & CEO

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Since the inception of the COVID-19 pandemic, COA has been carefully monitoring the situation in order to make decisions that ensure the health and wellbeing of our staff, volunteers, and organizations. The safety of the COA community is paramount to us, and non-negotiable. 

As a result, it is with a heavy heart that we share that given the current pandemic in the NYC-area, the designation of the NYC-area as a “hot spot” and “epicenter,” the current prohibitions on group gatherings, and that the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) at the National Institutes of Health has reported that there will be no vaccine against the virus for 12 to 18 months, it would be impossible to hold an event in August at the Marriott at Brooklyn Bridge.

We are extremely disappointed that we will not have the opportunity to see everyone this summer and are considering other ways to connect and foster the rich dialogue and exchange that results from bringing everyone together.

Be well and stay healthy.

Should you have questions or require assistance, please contact:

As a nonprofit accrediting body that supports best practices across the country, the Council on Accreditation (COA) is calling on Congress to support $60 billion in emergency stimulus funding and emergency small business loans for nonprofits. Nonprofits compose a significant portion of the social safety net who provide critical supports during times of crisis. Without this financial assistance, nonprofits will be at risk of engaging in mass layoffs and potentially closing their doors resulting in millions of Americans losing access to essential services.  

As part of the accreditation process, organizations must demonstrate sound financial management practices as this has a definitive relationship with their ability to deliver mission-driven services. Without critical financial support, this ability will be compromised, at a time when Americans need these services the most.  

To mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on nonprofits, stimulus funding must: 

  1. Expressly provide charitable nonprofits with $60 billion in emergency funding. The sector needs an immediate infusion of $60 billion and a mechanism must be constructed for a rapid infusion of cash to those organizations serving immediate needs in communities facing lost and declining revenue due to the pandemic.
  2. Ensure all nonprofits qualify for new, emergency small business loans. Remove the Medicaid exclusion and 500 employee caps on nonprofits.
  3. Create a robust universal charitable deduction. Allow post March 1, 2020 donations to be claimed on 2019 and future tax returns. Incentives for immediate charitable giving would ensure a rapid infusion of cash to those organizations serving immediate needs in communities facing lost and declining revenue due to the pandemic.  

In this unprecedented time, Congress has recognized the emergency financial needs of private business by developing this trillion-dollar financial stimulus package. Congress must now recognize this same emergency financial need for vulnerable nonprofit organizations. Americans are expected to have increased need for vital services as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, with anticipated rises in substance use, domestic violence, homelessness, and hunger. By financially supporting nonprofits during this time, Congress will be supporting all Americans who require access to essential services.  

COA is asking our network to immediately contact your representatives/senators today and tell them to support $60B in emergency stimulus funding and emergency small business loans for nonprofits. 


Find your US Representatives:  

https://www.house.gov/htbin/findrep

Find your US Senators:   

https://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

Thank you for your help!

The Council on Accreditation (COA) is proud to announce the publication of our 2020 Edition Standards!

The new standards will affect private, public, and Canadian organizations seeking accreditation. When browsing the standards here on our site, look for the green 2020 Edition tag.

The COA 2020 Edition comes on the heels of valuable feedback from our volunteers, organizations, and partners. All of the work was done with a single goal in mind: to increase the value of accreditation by focusing on those practices and activities that will have the greatest impact on the people and communities COA-accredited organizations work with. 

The 2020 Edition focuses on the standards that promote the development of effective, mission-driven organizations that are equipped to meet the needs of their clients. In service of that, we have refocused the standards to 1) give organizations more time to devote to those practices that have a more direct impact on clients, and 2) allow organizations to spend less time compiling evidence and more time improving practice. This means a:

A PDF summary of the standards changes can be found here.

View the new standards online here.

If you have questions about the standards, please remember to join us in our webinar this Thursday, January 16, at 2 PM EST for a deep dive into the changes in the 2020 Edition. Register for that webinar here. A recorded version will be available for accredited and in-process organizations in their MyCOA portal after January 16.

Note: The 2020 standards will not impact organizations that are currently in-process; however, organizations can choose to opt into the 2020 standards dependent on their accreditation timeline and other factors. If you are in-process organization and have questions about the 2020 standards, please contact your Accreditation Coordinator.

Sponsorship opportunities for our 2020 conference are now open! COA 2020 will bring together more than 500 human and social service leaders at the New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge August 9-11, 2020. We are honored that EveryAction has given the conference a badge designating it as one of the best nonprofit conferences of 2020.

Consider being a part of our conference to:

Our attendees will include:

Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities at coacon.org/sponsorship. Please reach out to sponsorship@coanet.org with any questions.

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Council on Accreditation (COA) has a new site, and a new look! We hope that you are as excited about them as we are.

THE NEW SITE

We heard that information was sometimes difficult to find on the previous version of our site.  We wanted to update it to make the site work for you! Take a look around to check out some of the cool new tools we’ve got in place. We’re continuing to make updates over the next couple of months, so be sure to come back soon.

Are you part of an in-process organization or volunteer that’s looking for something and can’t find it? Please check your MyCOA or VIP portal. As part of our effort to streamline the content of the site, we have migrated certain modules over there.

Questions? Comments? Please direct them to webmaster@coanet.org.

THE NEW LOOK

In our more than forty-year history we have only had three logos – the most recent being the Council on Accreditation (COA) shield that launched in 2012 which was an adaptation of a 2002 version.  So, we thought with all the excitement surrounding our 2020 Edition standards, coupled with welcoming our new president and CEO, that the time was right to give our branding a refresh.

It was not something that we took lightly, and many, many months of planning and design went into getting it just right.  We wanted to make sure that we were remaining true to our roots but elevating the look and feel to be more fresh, modern, and meaningful.  Learn more about our thought process behind the branding updates on our blog.

Please note that as we go about finalizing these updates, you may still find some documents with our old branding. Pardon our mess! We have a lot of tools for you, and are working on getting them all updated as expeditiously as possible.

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