WHAT IS THE NA PROCESS?

Not Applicable (NA) options are located intermittently throughout the standards and allow your program to take an NA on a specific standard or set of standards within a section. An NA is typically found directly under a standard or set of standards (see example 1). When your program decides that an NA is applicable, you must be prepared to provide evidence that supports that determination. For example, if you take an NA on ASP-PS 2.04 because your program does not charge a fee, you must be prepared to show that your program is indeed free for all children and youth.

You are also required to provide a list of all NAs applicable to your program as an attachment in the narrative template.

When a standard does not include an NA option and your program believes that a standard (or set of standards) is not applicable, an NA Request Form must be completed and submitted to COA via fax, e-mail, or mail for approval (see example 2). To download a copy of this form, see the Related Files for each section. To expedite the process of evaluating the NA request, documentation in support of the NA should be included with the form. Examples of relevant documentation could include a board-approved policy, a procedure, a report, or minutes from a meeting. Forms are reviewed, approved or denied, and sent back to your program typically within five business days.

Approved NA Request Forms must be included in the Self-Study document in the applicable standards section.

If the request is denied, COA will explain why and provide further information regarding how you should respond to the standard.