Overview

1. Overview

2. What is Accreditation? • Accreditation is both a status and a process • Status: Accreditation provides public notification that standards of quality are met as set forth by an accrediting agency. • Process: Accreditation reflects an organization’s desire and commitment to not only engage in self-study but to submit to an external review and to continuously seek ways in which to enhance the quality of service, education and training provided.

3. MAAP Accreditation is the ultimate indicator of quality in out-of-school-time programs. It provides out-of-school time professionals with performance indicators to guide in program planning, implementation and evaluation. Quality

4. Why Accreditation?

5. Why Accreditation? • Provides a sustainable framework for program quality improvement efforts • Provides a context for ongoing professional development • Measurably strengthens out-of-school time programs and services • Serves as a foundation for positive youth outcomes • Fosters a competent, caring, qualified team of caregivers • Transforms individual staff members into a strong professional team • Minimizes staff-turnover • Conveys a commitment to quality • Informs families 'decisions about out-of-school time care

6. MAAP 2.0 Standards and Indicators Grouped into five Foundation Areas • Administrative • Wellness • Activities • Relationships • Environments

7. Foundation Area I Administration: Effective administration practices support transparency and openness helping to create an environment in which program quality and positive youth development are most likely to occur and be sustained.

8. Foundation Area II Wellness: The program’s policies and practices support the wellness of the youth participants.

9. Foundation Area III Activities: The program plans and implements activities that support youth development and engagement.

10. Foundation Area IV Relationships: Relationships are developed among staff members, youth, and families to promote youth development.

11. Foundation Area V Environment: The program environment is safe and accessible and promotes youth development across domains.

12. Steps to MAAP Accreditation

13. Enrolling in MAAP • Enrollment in MAAP is accepted twice per year; spring and fall. • Spring deadline is March 31st • Fall enrollment deadline is September 30th • MAAP Enrollment is valid for 16 months. • Programs must apply for a validation visit within 16 months or will be required to re-apply. • $250 Enrollment Fee must accompany application. Click here to complete the online enrollment application. Paper applications can be mailed with payment to: MnSACA/MAAP 2610 University Ave. W. Suite 425 St. Paul, MN 55114 • Grant funding is available to qualifying programs. To find out if you qualify for fee support, complete the online enrollment application. Enrollment fee must be paid to be considered for the grant. • Online code to access all MAAP 2.0 documents and resources will be emailed to program representative following receipt of application and payment.

14. Building A Community of Support for Program Improvement Prepare the Staff Families Prepare the Community Host Youth Staff Recruit the Stakeholder Team

15. Host an Accreditation Kick Off Event • Ideas for building a community of support: • Invite school staff, administrators, parents and other community stakeholders for “Happy Hour.” • Serve treats, and provide an overview of accreditation • Download and personalize the Kick Off PowerPoint from MAAP website to show at event (or print slides and display on three sided display board for parents to peruse as they come and go) • Initiate participation in the Stakeholder Team • Host a Kids Performance Night • simple skits, songs or demonstrations of their activities can be displayed and treats served

16. Next Steps To Accreditation • Members of Stakeholder Team engage in self-study process • Conduct and tally surveys • Conduct initial program observations • Schedule Stakeholder Meetings • Develop and implement an Action Plan for Program Improvement

17. Monthly Cohort Meetings • East Metro and West Metro cohort groups meet once a month • Consult online meeting schedule for specific dates and locations • MAAP representative will be available at meetings to answer questions and guide self-study process • Program representative(s) and coach attend monthly cohort meetings to network and exchange ideas with others

18. Prepare for Endorsement Visit • Coach and Stakeholder Team conduct final program observations. • Stakeholder team may decide to re-survey to ensure program improvements are embedded in every day practice. • Pre-visit documentation is prepared and saved electronically. • Endorsement visit application, payment, and pre-visit documentation are submitted.

19. Visit Day and Decision • Visit Day is scheduled • Program director, stakeholder team, and staff are informed of expectations for visit day. • Visit Day Arrives • Program director is notified of decision within 60-90 days of visit.

20. Accreditation is…..

21. Questions? Call or Email the Accreditation Facilitation Hotline 651-646-8689 Ext.36 accreditationfacilitation@mnaeyc-mnsaca.org MAAP 2.0 Self Study Tool and Master Key to Quality as well as many other supporting documents and resources are available to enrolled programs only on the MAAP Webpage at www.mnaeyc-mnsaca.org