Agency Revisits

Accreditation is not just about earning a certificate—it’s about maintaining compliance and upholding professional standards long after the assessment is complete. But what happens when an agency falls short in certain areas? That’s where revisits come into play. I’ll break down what a revisit is, how it works, and share my experience conducting my first one.

What Is a Revisit?

A revisit occurs when an agency has non-compliance issues identified during its last formal accreditation assessment. Rather than jeopardizing their accreditation status, the agency is given conditions—specific standards they must correct within a set timeframe. A single assessor (rather than a full team of three) returns to the agency to verify that corrective actions have been taken. If compliance is confirmed, the conditions are lifted.

Why Revisits Matter

For accreditation programs to maintain integrity, there must be a mechanism for follow-up and accountability. Revisits serve as a safeguard to ensure agencies take necessary steps to correct deficiencies and remain compliant with accreditation standards. This practice is not unique to Florida; CALEA follows a similar model at the national level, and state accreditation programs have adopted conditions as well.

The Revisit Process

1. No PowerDMS Notations – Unlike a full assessment, a revisit does not involve making updates in PowerDMS. Instead, the required documentation is reviewed separately.

2. Reviewing the File – Compliance proofs can be presented either in paper form or within PowerDMS. The focus is solely on the previously non-compliant standards.

3. Assessor’s Final Report – The assigned assessor (me, in this case) writes a formal report detailing whether the agency has successfully met the conditions. This report is then submitted to the accreditation commission, which makes the final determination on lifting or maintaining the conditions.

4. Familiarity with the Agency – If possible, the original team leader from the agency’s formal assessment is selected to conduct the revisit, ensuring continuity and familiarity with the agency’s challenges and progress.

My Experience with My First Revisit

• Being the Assessor – Having served as the team leader during the original assessment, I had firsthand knowledge of the areas needing improvement. This made my revisit more efficient since I knew exactly what to look for.

• File Review Process – I reviewed updated policies and documentation provided by the agency, ensuring they had implemented corrective actions.

• Accountability in Action – Seeing agencies take ownership of their compliance efforts reinforced the importance of the revisit process in maintaining accreditation integrity.

Final Thoughts

Revisits are an essential component of accreditation. They provide a structured, fair approach to corrective action, ensuring agencies remain in compliance and continue to uphold professional standards. While my first revisit was a learning experience, it reaffirmed my belief that accountability is key to the success of any accreditation program.

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Areaka P. Jewell

Accreditation Academy

areaka@accreditationacademy.net

(305) 360-1075