Do you have a progress report or a response to a site visit due September 1? If yes, schedule it on your calendar to submit it on time. Due dates for progress reports and site visit responses are set corresponding to upcoming CoAEMSP Board meetings, and extensions will not be given unless it is an extenuating circumstance.

Have you ever wondered what happens with that report after the CoAEMSP receives it? This is the process used for each  report you submit:

1. Karen compiles four different agenda files (everything is electronic), each consisting of one-fourth of the programs on the next agenda. For the November meeting there are 81, yes 81, programs scheduled for review.

2. Karen schedules conference calls with each Review Team and provides material for their assigned programs. Review Teams consist of CoAEMSP Board members, and there are four teams: Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, and Delta.

3. The Review Teams meet to review the accreditation record for the programs they are assigned and make recommendations to the CoAEMSP Board.

4. Jennifer compiles the Review Teams' comments into the Recommendation form.

5. Karen compiles another agenda book that includes the recommendation forms and all of the program material and mails it to the CoAEMSP Board. This time every Board member receives each program's information. The goal is for the Board members to receive agenda material two weeks in advance of the meeting, providing them time to review the agenda documents.

If a program's report is not submitted on time, the Program will still appear on the agenda and the Board will makes its decision or recommendation based on the information provided on or before the due date of September 1.

Questions? Call or email Karen at karen@coaemsp.org or 817.330.0080, x114.

We may be in the thick of summer, but it is time to begin thinking about the filing deadline for the 2010 annual report, which is December 1, 2010. The ability to access the report and detailed instructions will be available September 1.

Mail is still forwarded from the old Bedford address courtesy of its current tenants. Please confirm you have the correct CoAEMSP address to send self study reports, checks, etc. Check with your accounting department, Dean's office, President's office, etc. Check everywhere.

This course covers topics such as accreditation overview, self study, site visit preparation, and the preparation of annual reports. Take this opportunity to be guided step-by-step by experienced CoAEMSP and NAEMSE faculty through the accreditation process. Register today!

Executive Director Dr. George Hatch has traveled extensively in the last year and a half speaking about accreditation of Paramedic educational programs. Dr. Hatch has been in 29 states in the last 18 months making presentations, meeting with state officials and program directors, and providing assistance regarding accreditation.

 "The CoAEMSP is committed to helping educators and states understand how the EMS Agenda for the Future impacts accreditation of Paramedic educational programs," Dr. Hatch explains. "We want to help make the process as simple as possible."

In addition, the CoAEMSP is scheduled to attend various EMS conferences in the coming months. Check future issues of this eUpdate to see where the CoAEMSP will be next.

A question the CoAEMSP hears most frequently is how to become accredited. That's a great question and we have a great answer. The CoAEMSP has a complete section on its website devoted to helping educational programs become accredited.

We recommend that you read the introductory section (it's not long) to familiarize yourself with its contents.

You will first complete the "Request for Accreditation Services" found on the CAAHEP website. Read this page and then complete the form.

Programs will then need to complete a written Initial-Accreditation Self Study Report (ISSR) and an on-site review.

This section also contains a great deal of helpful resources to assist you in the process:

If you are a Program Director without a Bachelors Degree and CoAEMSP is tracking your progress toward the Bachelors Degree, chances are you have a report due to the CoAEMSP on or before August 31.

The Progress Report must include an official sealed transcript documenting successful completion of at least 15 credits toward the Bachelors Degree and a letter signed by the Program's sponsor's chief executive officer (i.e., President, Fire Chief, CEO) stating that the sponsor is aware that the Program Director (1) must be matriculated in a Bachelor's degree program and (2) must complete a minimum of 15 credits toward the degree each year. 

The Progress Report must be emailed to karen@coaemsp.org. If you have questions regarding this, contact Karen via email or phone at 817.330.0080, x111.