Accreditation Handbook for State Agencies

• Suggestions for updates and modifications to the accreditation standards are gathered continuously throughout the year via feedback received from Review Team and states during onsite reviews, CSBS committee meetings, surveys and PSC members. • Beginning in 2017, the PSC began working jointly with the State Supervisory Processes Committee (SSPC) to ensure the accreditation standards stay up-to-date and relevant. The process to be used is guided by a coordination policy approved by each of the committees. Proposed changes are sent to all states for comment. • In the first quarter of every year, any proposed material changes to the accreditation standards will be sent out to state agencies for formal comment. • Once state comments are reviewed and considered, changes to the SEQ are approved in May of each year. The PSC has final decision-making authority on changes made to the SEQ. • States and Review Team members will be notified of the changes by June 30 of each year • Approved changes will become effective January 1 of the year following the May approval. • The PSC reserves the right to make changes at other times and either shorten or lengthen the time until the changes become effective, when the need arises. • The PSC will provide clarification to the states and Review Team during the year as needed or requested.

Following State Comment Period, Changes Are Approved by PSC

Annual Review of Standards in consultation with SSPC

Communication to States

Clarification from PSC Throughout Year

Communication to Review Teams

Accreditation Scoring System The scoring system is a tool used by the agency and the review team to determine if the agency meets the requirements of the program. The final decision of accreditation is the decision of the PSC, based on the overall adequacy of the agency to abide by the principles of the program listed in the SEQ. Agencies with scores that do not meet the minimum passing score(s) may be denied accreditation or subject to corrective action for a defined period of time, as determined by the PSC. Minimum Passing Scores Each standard within the section has an assigned value, which is multiplied by the rating to produce a score. The standards have values ranging from 3 to 40, with the higher values being most important I.

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