WHAT HAPPENS DURING THE SITE VISIT?

COA's site visit experience is both facilitative and contextual in nature. Therefore, the Site Visit Team will provide the program with every opportunity to demonstrate that its policies and/or procedures are implemented within the program. It is important for the program to demonstrate to the Site Visit Team how it implements the requirements of the standards within its unique culture and service environment. In order to determine implementation, several layers of questions may be asked of the program.

The Entrance Meeting is the formal "kickoff" of the site visit. This is when the team is introduced to your Program Administrator and/or Site Director, and other staff who will be involved in the site visit. During this meeting, the Lead Endorser will review what can be expected over the next few days.

The Site Visit Team will tour your program's facilities to observe the safety, care and maintenance of the facility. During these tours, the Endorsers will also observe staff/client interactions. Additional times for program observation will also be scheduled during the visit.

The intent of interviews is to determine satisfaction with services, to determine if written policies and procedures are implemented throughout the program, and to help the team get a feel for the overall culture of the program.

The Exit Meeting is intended to provide your program with some initial feedback and to assure all key staff and board members understand what to expect next. This also allows you to bring closure to this part of the process.