MyCOAVIPReport a concern

Become a Reviewer

Our unpaid volunteer reviewer system is a foundational part of our accreditation process.

Peer reviewer volunteers have the privilege of:

  • Doing their part to encourage best practice and the betterment of the human and social services field
  • Learning from other organizations (that are not in competition with one’s own organization), and
  • Traveling to and from Site Visits with expenses paid by COA

Learn more about our peer review system here.

Request an application

COA accepts Peer Reviewer application submissions on a rolling basis. You must meet the general criteria as well as the specified eligibility criteria for each role to apply. Review the criteria here before applying.NOTE: This is only an application request. If you meet the general criteria, a full application will be sent to you in approximately 5-10 business daysIf you are currently a COA volunteer reviewer, please log into the VIP and make a request for an additional role.

Once trained, COA volunteer reviewers are expected to adhere to COA’s policies and procedures and:

  • Agree to COA’s Confidentiality Agreement;
  • Agree to COA’s Code of Conduct requirements;
  • Commit to a site visit within 90 days of training date;
  • Agree to conduct at least two (2) site visits per calendar year;
  • Agree to submit an updated bio and resume on an annual basis; and
  • Participate in other training requirements, as they become available.

Please indicate the role(s) for which you are interested in applying and answer yes/no regarding each of the applicable qualifications.

Eligibility Criteria for each Volunteer Role

Peer Reviewer

  • Current or past employment with a COA-accredited organization; and
  • Ability to demonstrate experience in an accreditation, military or governmental evaluation process geared to improve human services; and
  • Previous experience with standards evaluation; and
  • A graduate degree in a human service discipline, or a non-human service degree and service management experience; and
  • At least five (5) years of continuing management and supervisory experience. This should include experience in budgeting, quality improvement, governance, or other administrative responsibilities; and
  • Expertise in at least five (5) COA service areas with a current resume supporting the areas of expertise; and
  • Recommendation letter from an active COA volunteer, Accreditation Commissioner or representative from one of COA’s Sponsoring or Supporting Organizations; and
  • A recent copy of your resume or CV which reflects the areas of expertise in relation to the standards.

 

Child and Youth Development Endorser (Includes early childhood education, after school and youth development programs)

  • Current or past employment with a COA-accredited organization; and
  • Ability to demonstrate experience in an accreditation, military or governmental evaluation process geared to improve human services; and
  • Previous experience as a COA Reviewer or other standards evaluation; and
  • Endorsers may be qualified to review Early Childhood Education (ECE) programs, or After School (ASP) and Youth Development (YD) program. Experience between these two groups is not interchangeable.
  • Those individuals who have experience and education meeting the qualifications for both types of programs may be dually qualified to review ECE, ASP and YD programs.
  • Bachelor's degree in a human service discipline, or a non-human service degree and at least three (3) years service experience; or an Associate's degree in a human service discipline, or a non-human service degree and at least four (4) years service experience. Service experience should be in a field providing direct services to children and youth, preferably an after school environment; and
  • Service experience should be in a field providing direct services to children and youth. For early childhood education, experience with or in an early childhood education environment is required. For after school and youth development, experience in either an after school or youth development environment would qualify you to review both after school and youth development programs; and
  • At least three (3) years of continuous management experience. This should include experience in budgeting, quality improvement, programming or other administrative responsibilities; and
  • Understanding of and experience with accreditation standards, systems and processes; and
  • In-depth knowledge of related programming, and at least three (3) years experience working in that environment; and
  • A recommendation letter from an active COA volunteer, Accreditation Commissioner or representative from one of COA’s Sponsoring or Supporting Organizations; and
  • A recent copy of your resume or CV.
Role Selection

Peer Reviewer Qualifications
Child and Youth Development Endorser Qualifications
Hague Evaluator Qualifications
Military and Family Readiness Reviewer Qualifications
Personal Information
Please provide your contact information below.





Contact Information
Note: This is the address to which occasional hard copy materials will be sent once you are approved to be a volunteer.







Professional Information
If you are not working for an organization, please enter "Unaffiliated" under Employer/Business Name and leave all address fields blank.