New Chair of the Accreditation Commission Offers Words of Welcome for 2021

Welcome to 2021!  We are very excited for the new year and the hope that comes with it. As the pandemic changed a lot, we are grateful for your continued pursuit of excellence in our ACPE accredited programs and to working together with the ACPE Accreditation Commission.

I am excited to assume the role of Chair of the Accreditation Commission. My new role and path as chair has been well established through the many who have gone before me. Many of you have served on the commission and some have served as the chair. Your commitment to our accreditation process is the path I plan to follow with gratitude.  I do want to acknowledge specifically the work of Pam Lazor, who just completed her term as chair.  Not only did she help us bring in a new accreditation system, but she did this during the pandemic and always with an abundance of grace.  Thank you, Pam!

I also want to thank the following commissioners who completed their terms: Ken Linder and Adriana Cavina. And I want to extend a warm welcome to new commissioners Mica Togami, Melinda Holloway, and Crystal Schmalz.  As we orient our new commissioners, we will be posting their names on the Centers and Cycles list so you will know who your assigned commissioner will be going forward. They are joining an amazing group of commissioners, reviewers, and National Site Team Chairs who have been working hard to usher in the new accreditation system.

I also wish to acknowledge all who support the work of the association as part of the ACPE office. Marc Medwed and Kimberly Yates are the primary support staff for accreditation, and I do not want to imagine doing this work without the many gifts they bring in support of the commission.

Last, but certainly not least, I want to welcome Katy Wilcox as the Chair-Elect of the Accreditation Commission. Katy has been an active member of the commission for several years and will be a great partner as the Commission continues to develop and grow.

As we enter the new year, I want to share a few updates with you:

1. Dashboard for 2021:  There is an updated dashboard form in each center’s dashboard folder in the portfolio for 2021.  Please remember to update this form on a regular basis throughout the year.
2. Portfolio Updates: On September 14, 2020, a change was made to Standard 4.  If you missed that change and to follow any other changes that are required for the portfolio, please visit the Substantive Updates to the Accreditation Manual page.
3. Portfolio Reviews: As indicated in the manual, there is a yearly review of each center’s portfolio.  This year, the review of portfolios will begin on July 1, 2021, and will include the Part I Review Checklist as well as a deep dive into Standard 2 (Curriculum). An updated Part I Review Checklist may be found by clicking here.
4. Center Continuing Education: In preparation for the deep dive into Standard 2, the Commission will be offering educational sessions related to curriculum and curriculum development.  Watch This Week @ACPE for announcements of dates for sessions.
   

We are looking forward to a great year!