preparing for a caa site visit
TRANSCRIPT
Preparing for a
CAA Site VisitFriday, April 1, 2016, 8:00-9:30 am
CAPCSD 2016 Annual Conference
Faculty Disclosure
Mikael D.Z. Kimelman
Chairperson, Department of Speech-Language
Pathology, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA
Financial – I am serving as faculty for this session with support from the CAA
Non-Financial – Member and Chair of Council on Academic Accreditation; however, I do not receive any compensation for this role. I am an ASHA member.
Faculty Disclosure
Suzanne Moineau
Program Director and Chair, Department of
Speech-Language Pathology, California State
University, San Marcos
Financial – I am serving as faculty for this session and
have no relevant financial relationship to disclose.
Non-Financial – I have no non-financial relationship to
disclose. I am an ASHA member.
Faculty Disclosure
Earl “Gip” Seaver
Professor Emeritus, Northern Illinois University
Financial – I am serving as faculty for this session with
support from CAPCSD. I am a Principal Partner of
Academy Solutions (AS). We provide consulting
services to institutions seeking CAA accreditation or re-
accreditation. I am receiving support from AS to
attend CAPCSD as an exhibitor.
Non-Financial - I am a CAA accreditation site visitor;
however, I do not receive any compensation for this
role. I am an ASHA member.
Learning Objectives
After attending this presentation, participants will be able
to:
Outline an achievable timeline for completing all tasks
associated with a site visit.
Identify critical factors to consider when setting up the
site visit agenda.
List three ways a site visit can be facilitative for your
individual program.
Planning – Strategies for a
Successful and Positive Site Visit
Mindful planning and preparation
Opportunity for positive reflection
CSD program growth
Preparation from a program perspective
Preparation from a site visitor perspective
CAA expectations Strategies for planning a successful
and positive site visit will be highlighted.
Program Perspective – How
to Prepare
Begin early and include all members of your team
Map out the timelines and set deadlines
Bookmark the Accreditation Handbook and utilize the
Site Visit Section Resources
Know the standards and get a daily dose of your
document
Program Perspective – Tips
and Considerations
External commitments
Program Strengths
Areas for improvement and steps to get there
Engage your team in problem solving – get an outside
perspective
Make the experience an organized and smooth one
for your visitors
Thank those that helped you make it happen and
celebrate in a big way!
A few personal experiences on the difference between
the In-Candidacy and Initial Accreditation site visit
Site Visitor Perspective – How
to Prepare
Do Not Forget the Obvious
CAA Accreditation Handbook is your best friend
Contains everything you will need to know
Key components for a
successful visit
Communication
Organization
Communication
Communication with site visit chair
Important to have multiple conversations with site visit chair
Don’t wait for chair’s contact
Quick email to acknowledge the chair having been
assigned to your visit
Begin to develop the agenda
Before contact (see CAA template)
All site visit chairs have their preferences – so be
prepared for slight modifications
Communication
Logistics of visit
Travel to and from airport
Hotel
Paid by site visitors
Comfortable
Breakfast available
Eating options within walking distance
Communication
Program Director with faculty/staff/students
Know the standards and how program complies
Know what will happen during the visit
Review sample questions
Develop thoughtful responses to questions
Don’t develop a common script for all
faculty/staff/student
Prepare your students
Be aware of the evidence to be reviewed
Organization
Caution
A POORLY ORGANIZED VISIT IS
WHAT YOU WANT TO AVOID
Organization
Evidence demonstrating compliance is what the team
is seeking
Verifying evidence you indicated does exist
Make it easy for them to find the evidence
Electronic evidence available prior to visit
Don’t wait until the 30 day requirement
Organize by standard
Organization
Electronic VS. Paper
CAA requires some electronic data available 30
days prior to visit
Remaining must be available at time of visit
Ideal
All electronic via secured files (Google, LMS,
etc.)
Available at least 30 days prior to visit
Organize by standard
Little Details
Little details are important
Don’t make the team hunt for things
Demonstrate that you have prepared!
First impressions
Travel details
Hotel
Food options
Summary
Communicate with your chair
Be organized
Evidence
Details of visit
CAA Perspective
Strategic, long-term program
management and continuous
development
Mindful planning and preparation
Integration with institutional evaluation
system
CAA Perspective Know the process and timelines
Purpose of site visit - VERIFICATION
Make it easy for Site Visitors to achieve their purpose
Application submission
CAA Review
Initial Observations generated
Site Visit Approved
CAA Perspective
Know the process and timelines
Site visit planning
Site Visit Team and Dates Determined
Program receives CAA Initial Observations
Respond, as directed, either 30 days
before or during the site visit to EVERY
Initial Observation
Logistics for Site Visit
Content for Site Visit
CAA Perspective
Know the process and timelines
The Site Visit
Logistics
Know the Site Visitor motto
SHOW ME!
CAA Perspective Know the process and timelines
Post-site visit
Read the report completely
Respond to every citation where the site visit team
… was unable to observe evidence to support verification …
… observed partial evidence to support verification . . .
(before responding, address/fix everything possible or develop a detailed transparent plan for doing so)
Volunteer Opportunity –
Site Visitor Recruitment
Additional site visitor category approved in 2014
Academic Faculty
Clinical Faculty/Staff
Practitioner
Qualifications described in Chapter VII of
Accreditation Handbook
Next recruitment for CAA Site Visitor applications in
November-December 2016
Site Visit Resources
New CAA Web site – http://caa.asha.org
http://caa.asha.org/site-visits/
Accreditation Handbook
http://caa.asha.org/wp-
content/uploads/Accreditation-Handbook.pdf
Separate tab at top of page just for site visits:
For Programs
For Site Visitors
Accreditation Staff
Sue Flesher ([email protected]) – ext. 5781
Associate Director for Accreditation Services
Oversight of accreditation operations and HES/CAA reporting
Russie Allen – ([email protected]) – ext. 5766
Accreditation Coordinator
Annual Reports, Site Visit Arrangements
Megan Woods ([email protected]) – ext. 5751
Manager, Accreditation Systems
Administration of CAA reports in HES
(Vacant)
Accreditation Manager
Additional Staff
Patti Tice ([email protected]) – ext. 5796
Director of Accreditation
Tess Kirsch ([email protected]) – ext. 5784
Associate Director, Policy and Education
Kelly Velasquez ([email protected]) – ext. 5794
Associate Director, Research and Quality
Management
Accreditation Office ([email protected])
Questions?
Stop by the
Accreditation Table in
the Exhibit Hall to speak
with staff or CAA
members