Important update on Site Visits

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:

• Staff interviews
• Interviews with the individuals served
• Case record review
• Personnel record review
• Documents (i.e. evidence) typically reviewed on-site
• Walk-through of the facility to allow reviewers to assess conditions such as access to transportation, required postings in prominent areas, and other critical standards

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.