Dec. 2021
Looking Back. And Ahead.

Last year at this time, we were waiting for 2021 with hope and anticipation as the events of 2020 had taken their toll on us all. While 2021 may not have turned out to be quite the 'fresh start' that we were looking for, there was definitely progress in the right direction and so many notable highlights to mention.

So, we are wrapping up the year with some of those highlights and the events that we saw in the world of accreditation. We hope you enjoy the read and are able to reflect on some positive things that happened for you and your organization in 2021!

On behalf of everyone at Accreditation Guru, we would like to express our sincerest best wishes for a peaceful holiday season and a New Year that is filled with health and prosperity.

Looking forward to seeing you all in 2022!

Jennifer Flowers & Team AG

#YearofAccreditation // #Accreditation2021 // #PrepareforGreatness
AG Top 3 Highlights of 2021:
AG Retreat 2021 - #TeamAG
Easily, a top highlight of our year! The AG Annual Retreat was a hybrid event in early November. While we missed those who couldn't be in South Carolina with us for three days of fun, teamwork, discussion and learning, we were happy to be able to share so much of it with them via Zoom.
Conferences - #TravelSeason (sort of)
It was great to be back on the road! And while the in person conference offerings/attendance was not quite back to pre-Covid days, we were happy to get back out there and talk to, laugh with, learn from and collaborate IN PERSON. Zoom fatigue happens! It was nice to safely take a break for a bit.
Our Clients - #PreparedForGreatness
You may recall. . .we declared 2021 The Year of Accreditation! And we partnered with many organizations who were on the same page. Through 2020 and well into 2021, our clients were able to weather the Pandemic and all that was required AND achieve accreditation. We are so proud to have been a part of their process and it was amazing to watch these organizations cross the finish line.
Accrediting Body Updates
The folks at the accrediting bodies were pretty busy this year too! In 2021 we saw changes that were not only thoughtful in their approach but impactful in their implementation. And the progress continues! Read below for some of the latest updates.
  • Surveyors conducting on-site surveys are all COVID-19 vaccinated.
  • Off-site surveying used during the pandemic may become a permanent component of surveys for some organizations with remote and/or multiple sites and for reviewing documents/written policies.

  • The newly merged Alliance for Strong Families and Communities, and Council on Accreditation announced it's new name and brand - Social Current.
  • No impact to existing accreditation mandates and recognitions for COA.
  • The accreditation service line will remain COA.
  • Organizations can now select on-site survey or virtual as an option, (at this time, a majority are still selecting virtual).
  • Based on input from focus groups held in 2021, there will be some modifications for Community Transition programs for older adolescents and young adults.

  • Educational Assessment Guidelines Leading Toward Excellence (EAGLE) has teamed with AG to provide a fully bi-lingual accreditation program to residential programs in Puerto Rico.
Travel News
We are taking a short break from travel to celebrate the holidays and re-charge for what we hope to be a year of travel and connections. We are planning to get back on the road in January 2022 and would love to see you then!
Upcoming Conferences and Presentations:
Jan. 26 - 28: National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP) Annual Conference Jennifer will facilitate the session, You're Accredited, Now What? Utilizing Your National Accreditation To Drive Revenue Growth and Reduce Costs and will be exhibiting at this conference in Tucson, Arizona. Click here for more information.

Feb. 7 - 10: California Alliance Executive Winter Conference: Jennifer will be moderating an accreditation-focused panel with panelists representing CARF, COA, and The Joint Commission. AG will also be exhibiting for this conference. Stop by if you're in San Diego! Click here for more information.
Accreditation Guru, Inc. / Certified MWBE / 212.209.0240 / [email protected]