How to Complete the Preliminary Self-Study (PSS)
What is the PSS
1
The Preliminary Self-Study (PSS) is a set of important documents that organizations are required to submit to COA for review four months before their Site Visit. The date when the PSS documents are due is provided during the Intake Call.
What is the Purpose of the PSS
2
The purpose of the PSS is to help COA assess an organization's readiness for accreditation and get a sense of its progress in preparing for the Site Visit. It also gives COA the opportunity to give organizations feedback on a few of the key documents that are central to COA's accreditation process.
Private & Canadian Agencies: Which Documents Must be submitted?
3
**2026 Edition of the Standards-Present** 1. **Strategic Plan** - *Non-Profit Related Standards: GOV 2.01, 2.02* - *Non-Profit Canadian Related Standards: CA-GOV 2.01, 2.02* - *For-Profit Related Standards: AFM 2.01* - *If intake conducted prior to 7/28/2026 AFM: 2.02* - *For-Profit Canadian Related Standards: CA-AFM 2.01* - *If intake conducted prior to 7/28/2026 CA-AFM: 2.02* - *Public Agency Candian: CA-AM 3.02* 2. **Review of external environment, including community demographics** 3. **Assessment of Strengths and Weaknesses** - *Non-Profit Related Standards: GOV 2.01, 2.02* - *Non-Profit Canadian Related Standards: CA-GOV 2.01, 2.02* - *For-Profit Related Standards: AFM 2.01* - *If intake conducted prior to 7/28/2026 AFM: 2.02* - *For-Profit Canadian Related Standards: CA-AFM 2.01* - *If intake conducted prior to 7/28/2026 CA-AFM: 2.02* - *Public Agency Candian: CA-AM 3.02* 4. **Performance and Quality Improvement Plan** - *All Private Agencies Related Standards: PQI 1.01, 1.02, 1.03* - *All Canadian Agencies Related Standards: CA-PQI 1.01, 1.02, 1.03* 5. **Procedure for Quarterly Review of Immediate and Ongoing Risks** - *All Private Agencies Related Standards: RPM: 2.01* - *All Canadian Agencies Related Standards: CA-RPM 2.01* 6. **Procedures for Investigation and Review of Critical Incidents** - *All Private Agencies Related Standards: RPM: 2.02* - *All Canadian Agencies Related Standards: CA-RPM 2.02* 7. **Behavior Support and Management Policy (does not apply to FEC Programs)** - *All Private Agencies Related Standards: ASE 2.01, 2.03 & BSM 1.01, 1.02* - *All Canadian Agencies Related Standards: CA-ASE 2.01, 2.03 & CA-BSM 1.01, 1.02*
4
**Prior to 2026 Edition of the Standards** 1. **Strategic or Long-Term Plan,** 2. **Long Term Strategic Plan Planning Procedures** 3. **Review of Service Population Demographics** 4. **Assessment of Strengths and Weaknesses** - *Non-Profit Related Standards: GOV 2.01, 2.02* - *Non-Profit Canadian Related Standards: CA-GOV 2.01, 2.02* - *For-Profit Related Standards: AFM 2.01* - *If intake conducted prior to 7/28/2026 AFM: 2.02* - *For-Profit Canadian Related Standards: CA-AFM 2.01* - *If intake conducted prior to 7/28/2026 CA-AFM: 2.02* - *Public Agency Candian: CA-AM 3.02* 5. **Performance and Quality Improvement Plan** - *All Private Agencies Related Standards: PQI 1.01, 1.02, 1.03* - *All Canadian Agencies Related Standards: CA-PQI 1.01, 1.02, 1.03* 6. **Procedure for Quarterly Review of Immediate and Ongoing Risks** - *All Private Agencies Related Standards: RPM: 2.01* - *All Canadian Agencies Related Standards: CA-RPM 2.01* 7. **Procedures for Investigation and Review of Critical Incidents** - *All Private Agencies Related Standards: RPM: 2.02* - *All Canadian Agencies Related Standards: CA-RPM 2.02* 8. **Behavior Support and Management Policy (does not apply to FEC Programs)** - *All Private Agencies Related Standards: ASE 2.01, 2.03 & BSM 1.01, 1.02* - *All Canadian Agencies Related Standards: CA-ASE 2.01, 2.03 & CA-BSM 1.01, 1.02*
Tip! BSM standards only apply when policy permits the use of restrictive behavior management interventions
Public Agencies: Which documents must be submitted?
5
**2026 Edition of the Standards-Present** 1. **Strategic Plan (Child and Family Services Plan for state-administered child and family serving systems)** - *Related Standard: PA-AM 2.01* 2. **Performance and Quality Improvement Plan** - *Related Standards: PA-PQI 1.01, 1.02, 1.03* 3. **Annual Assessment Procedures** - *Related Standard: PA-RPM 2.02* 4. **Risk Management Quarterly Review Procedures** - *Related Standard: PA-RPM 2.03* 5. **Investigation and Review of Critical Incidents Procedures** - *Related Procedures: PA-RM 2.04* 6. **Behavior Support and Management Policy** - *Related Procedures: PA-ASE 2.01, 2.03 & BSM 1.01, 1.02*
6
**Prior to the 2026 Verison of the Standards** 1. **Strategic or Long-Term Plan** - *Related Standard: PA-AM 3.02* 2. **Performance and Quality Improvement Plan** - *Related Standards: PA-PQI 1.01, 1.02, 1.03* 3. **Annual Assessment Procedures** - *Related Standard: PA-RPM 2.02* 4. **Risk Management Quarterly Review Procedures** - *Related Standard: PA-RPM 2.03* 5. **Investigation and Review of Critical Incidents Procedures** - *Related Procedures: PA-RM 2.04* 6. **Behavior Support and Management Policy** - *Related Procedures: PA-ASE 2.01, 2.03 & BSM 1.01, 1.02*
Tip! Required documents can be submitted ‘as is’
What happens after the PSS documents have been submitted?
7
Your assigned Accreditation Coordinator reviews the items that you have submitted and provides your agency with initial, high-level feedback. Agencies are encouraged to utilize the PSS eedback to strengthen the versions of these plans, policies, and procedures that are submitted in the Self-Study.
Where to Upload Documents
8
Log into your [MyCOA Portal](https://mycoa.social-current.org/)
9
Click on the Social Current logo
10
Click "Standards & Self-Study"
11
Click "Self Study Evidence"
12
Go to the standard listed above, in this example it is public agency stadard: "PA-Performance Quality Improvement"
13
Look for the text that states "Required PSS Document"
14
Upload the relevant file
Tip! You do not need to "Click Complete" for your coordinator to see your evidence!
How to Complete the Preliminary Self-Study (PSS)
What is the PSS
1
The Preliminary Self-Study (PSS) is a set of important documents that organizations are required to submit to COA for review four months before their Site Visit. The date when the PSS documents are due is provided during the Intake Call.
What is the Purpose of the PSS
2
The purpose of the PSS is to help COA assess an organization's readiness for accreditation and get a sense of its progress in preparing for the Site Visit. It also gives COA the opportunity to give organizations feedback on a few of the key documents that are central to COA's accreditation process.
Private & Canadian Agencies: Which Documents Must be submitted?
3
**2026 Edition of the Standards-Present** 1. **Strategic Plan** - *Non-Profit Related Standards: GOV 2.01, 2.02* - *Non-Profit Canadian Related Standards: CA-GOV 2.01, 2.02* - *For-Profit Related Standards: AFM 2.01* - *If intake conducted prior to 7/28/2026 AFM: 2.02* - *For-Profit Canadian Related Standards: CA-AFM 2.01* - *If intake conducted prior to 7/28/2026 CA-AFM: 2.02* - *Public Agency Candian: CA-AM 3.02* 2. **Review of external environment, including community demographics** 3. **Assessment of Strengths and Weaknesses** - *Non-Profit Related Standards: GOV 2.01, 2.02* - *Non-Profit Canadian Related Standards: CA-GOV 2.01, 2.02* - *For-Profit Related Standards: AFM 2.01* - *If intake conducted prior to 7/28/2026 AFM: 2.02* - *For-Profit Canadian Related Standards: CA-AFM 2.01* - *If intake conducted prior to 7/28/2026 CA-AFM: 2.02* - *Public Agency Candian: CA-AM 3.02* 4. **Performance and Quality Improvement Plan** - *All Private Agencies Related Standards: PQI 1.01, 1.02, 1.03* - *All Canadian Agencies Related Standards: CA-PQI 1.01, 1.02, 1.03* 5. **Procedure for Quarterly Review of Immediate and Ongoing Risks** - *All Private Agencies Related Standards: RPM: 2.01* - *All Canadian Agencies Related Standards: CA-RPM 2.01* 6. **Procedures for Investigation and Review of Critical Incidents** - *All Private Agencies Related Standards: RPM: 2.02* - *All Canadian Agencies Related Standards: CA-RPM 2.02* 7. **Behavior Support and Management Policy (does not apply to FEC Programs)** - *All Private Agencies Related Standards: ASE 2.01, 2.03 & BSM 1.01, 1.02* - *All Canadian Agencies Related Standards: CA-ASE 2.01, 2.03 & CA-BSM 1.01, 1.02*
4
**Prior to 2026 Edition of the Standards** 1. **Strategic or Long-Term Plan,** 2. **Long Term Strategic Plan Planning Procedures** 3. **Review of Service Population Demographics** 4. **Assessment of Strengths and Weaknesses** - *Non-Profit Related Standards: GOV 2.01, 2.02* - *Non-Profit Canadian Related Standards: CA-GOV 2.01, 2.02* - *For-Profit Related Standards: AFM 2.01* - *If intake conducted prior to 7/28/2026 AFM: 2.02* - *For-Profit Canadian Related Standards: CA-AFM 2.01* - *If intake conducted prior to 7/28/2026 CA-AFM: 2.02* - *Public Agency Candian: CA-AM 3.02* 5. **Performance and Quality Improvement Plan** - *All Private Agencies Related Standards: PQI 1.01, 1.02, 1.03* - *All Canadian Agencies Related Standards: CA-PQI 1.01, 1.02, 1.03* 6. **Procedure for Quarterly Review of Immediate and Ongoing Risks** - *All Private Agencies Related Standards: RPM: 2.01* - *All Canadian Agencies Related Standards: CA-RPM 2.01* 7. **Procedures for Investigation and Review of Critical Incidents** - *All Private Agencies Related Standards: RPM: 2.02* - *All Canadian Agencies Related Standards: CA-RPM 2.02* 8. **Behavior Support and Management Policy (does not apply to FEC Programs)** - *All Private Agencies Related Standards: ASE 2.01, 2.03 & BSM 1.01, 1.02* - *All Canadian Agencies Related Standards: CA-ASE 2.01, 2.03 & CA-BSM 1.01, 1.02*
Tip! BSM standards only apply when policy permits the use of restrictive behavior management interventions
Public Agencies: Which documents must be submitted?
5
**2026 Edition of the Standards-Present** 1. **Strategic Plan (Child and Family Services Plan for state-administered child and family serving systems)** - *Related Standard: PA-AM 2.01* 2. **Performance and Quality Improvement Plan** - *Related Standards: PA-PQI 1.01, 1.02, 1.03* 3. **Annual Assessment Procedures** - *Related Standard: PA-RPM 2.02* 4. **Risk Management Quarterly Review Procedures** - *Related Standard: PA-RPM 2.03* 5. **Investigation and Review of Critical Incidents Procedures** - *Related Procedures: PA-RM 2.04* 6. **Behavior Support and Management Policy** - *Related Procedures: PA-ASE 2.01, 2.03 & BSM 1.01, 1.02*
6
**Prior to the 2026 Verison of the Standards** 1. **Strategic or Long-Term Plan** - *Related Standard: PA-AM 3.02* 2. **Performance and Quality Improvement Plan** - *Related Standards: PA-PQI 1.01, 1.02, 1.03* 3. **Annual Assessment Procedures** - *Related Standard: PA-RPM 2.02* 4. **Risk Management Quarterly Review Procedures** - *Related Standard: PA-RPM 2.03* 5. **Investigation and Review of Critical Incidents Procedures** - *Related Procedures: PA-RM 2.04* 6. **Behavior Support and Management Policy** - *Related Procedures: PA-ASE 2.01, 2.03 & BSM 1.01, 1.02*
Tip! Required documents can be submitted ‘as is’
What happens after the PSS documents have been submitted?
7
Your assigned Accreditation Coordinator reviews the items that you have submitted and provides your agency with initial, high-level feedback. Agencies are encouraged to utilize the PSS eedback to strengthen the versions of these plans, policies, and procedures that are submitted in the Self-Study.
Where to Upload Documents
8
Log into your [MyCOA Portal](https://mycoa.social-current.org/)
9
Click on the Social Current logo
10
Click "Standards & Self-Study"
11
Click "Self Study Evidence"
12
Go to the standard listed above, in this example it is public agency stadard: "PA-Performance Quality Improvement"
13
Look for the text that states "Required PSS Document"
14
Upload the relevant file
Tip! You do not need to "Click Complete" for your coordinator to see your evidence!
