Timeline & Tasks
Whether you are a new applicant preparing to enter accreditation for the first time, or an established center preparing for re-accreditation, you will need to be aware of several deadlines and milestones in the accreditation process.
After you get your Accreditation Calendar Group assignment, you can find exact dates for your birth center on the calendar.
Steps to Be Completed
| By the Birth Center | By the CABC | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase a manual, if seeking accreditation for the first time. | CABC office sends Birth Centers seeking re-accreditation updated paperwork. | 5 months before the Site Visit |
| Register for your Site Visit date. | CABC office confirms Site Visit date and assigns Accreditation Calendar Group. | At least 3 months before the Site Visit |
| Contact CABC office for access to project management system | CABC office sends e-mail invitation with user name and password | At least 2 months before the site visit |
| Submit online a complete package of materials. This is the preferred method of submission. Complete packages may also be mailed if necessary. | CABC office confirms package receipt. | 2 months before the Site Visit |
| Communicate any particular needs or conflicts regarding Site Visitors to the CABC office. | CABC office chooses the Site Visit Team. | 6 weeks before the Site Visit |
| Pay Site Visit fee to CABC office. | CABC office confirms payment. | 1 month before the Site Visit |
| Make lodging and meal arrangements for the Site Visit Team and communicate this to the CABC office. | CABC office makes travel arrangements for the Site Visit Team. | 1 month before the Site Visit |
| Review the Preliminary Report and send any outstanding requirements to the CABC office. | Site Visit Team submits preliminary report to CABC office. CABC office then communicates any outstanding requirements to the birth center. | 2 weeks before Site Visit |
| Send tentative site visit schedule to the CABC office. (See a sample schedule.) It is possible for the site visit to be a stressful time, however it does not need to be. The accreditation process is meant to be an educational experience for the birth center staff. Take advantage of the experience and insight that the site visit team has to offer.
| 1 week before Site Visit | |
| Host the Site Visit. Learn from and support the Site Visit Team. Provide transportation as needed. | The Site Visit Team conducts the Site Visit. The CABC is available to the team as needed. The Site Visit Team provides a written Consolidated Report to the birth center, during the exit conference. | SITE VISIT WEEKEND Friday through Sunday (first week of February, May, August, or November) |
| Return Site Visit materials to the CABC office. | CABC office sends evaluation of site visit to the birth center. | Day after the Site Visit |
| CABC office compiles site visit materials and distributes to Review Panel. | 2 weeks after the Site Visit | |
| Return evaluation of site visit to CABC office. | 3 weeks after the Site Visit | |
| CABC office receives Panelists’ accreditation decision. | 6 weeks after the Site Visit | |
| CABC office drafts decision letter, which is reviewed by President, and mailed to birth center, with accreditation certificate. | 2 months after the Site Visit | |
| Send progress report to the CABC office, addressing any requirements outlined in the decision letter. | 5 months after the Site Visit | |
| Panelists review progress report and CABC office communicates final decision to birth center. | 2 weeks after the Progress Report is received by the CABC office |