HOW DO WE SUSTAIN ACCREDITATION?

Accreditation is key to sustaining a culture of quality within an organisation. COA's maintenance of accreditation processes enhances the value of accreditation in the post-accreditation years by promoting continuous implementation of/performance with COA's standards throughout an organisation's accreditation cycle. These mechanisms ultimately increase the value of COA accreditation to the organisation's internal and external stakeholders.

COA's maintenance of accreditation process is composed of three components:

1. Self-reporting of critical incidents and significant occurrences. (see Related Files)
2. Participation in the review of third-party concerns or complaints.
3. Completion of an Annual Maintenance of Accreditation (MOA) Report (see Related Files).

The MOA Report:

• Demonstrates your organisation's commitment to the pursuit of organisational excellence and quality service delivery for persons served.
• Affirms your organisation's ongoing implementation of/performance with COA's standards.

Following COA’s review of the annual MOA Report, an accredited organisation may receive recognition for demonstration of an exemplary quality/performance improvement initiative. Recognition received by accredited organisations has progressively increased over the last few years (see “Recognition Received” under Related Files). COA is pleased to provide to the public the names of these accredited organizations for 2010 (see “Organisations Recognised for MOA Reports 2009-2010” under Related Files).

Organisations are also recognised for presenting an excellent review and strong management of consumer incidents self-reported to COA (see “Organisations Recognised for Post-Incident Review – 2010).

During the time an organisation is not pursuing COA accreditation, it is welcome to contact COA's Client Relation Division regarding all accreditation-related questions. Additionally, it can access standards updates by visiting the Updates page.