Lessons Learned from the 10.0 Version of the Accreditation Manual Webinar

Description:

Whether you are preparing for your first review or gearing up for reaccreditation, join us for an engaging webinar that demystifies the entire accreditation journey. You will hear firsthand from a panel of successful peers who will share their real-world experiences, the meaningful improvements they achieved, and practical tips for navigating common challenges. Alongside these firsthand accounts, Jennifer Abels, Accreditation Director, will provide the reviewer's perspective, highlighting frequently observed strengths, actionable recommendations, and best practices to ensure your organization is fully prepared for a successful review. 

Objectives:

• Describe why organizations choose to pursue accreditation and the value it provides.

• Identify common successes, challenges, and best practices shared by accredited organizations.

• Incorporate reviewer insights and peer recommendations to better prepare for the accreditation process.

Speakers:

Jennifer Abels, Director of Standards and Excellence

Jennifer is the Director of Standards and Excellence for Inform USA, which includes directing the Accreditation process. She has been with the organization since 2021 and feels honored to work with agencies as they raise the bar on their Community Navigation programs. Previously, she worked at a statewide 211 for 13 years, primarily in the role of Database Manager. She has a Master's in Community Counseling, a Bachelor's in Social Work, and is Inform USA certified (CRS and CRS-DC). Jennifer lives on a small acreage with her husband, 2 daughters, 2 cows, 3 cats, a dog, and a bearded dragon.

Jeremy Brown, Director of Operations

Jeremy Brown is the Director of Operations at FirstLink, where he has served since 2018 in various roles spanning community resource management, crisis center operations, and community outreach. He began his career as a Database Curator and has since led major agency initiatives, including FirstLink's migration to a new I&R database software. He is passionate about operational excellence, quality improvement, and accreditation compliance, and champions high-quality service delivery across FirstLink's statewide 211, 988, and follow-up programs.

Beyond his role at FirstLink, Jeremy finds joy in reading, dancing to catchy pop music, and spending time with his fiancé and their fur babies. Jeremy has participated in two agency accreditation cycles at FirstLink, including leading the agency's most recent re-accreditation effort, and holds InformUSA certifications as a Community Resource Specialist and Community Resource Specialist - Database Curator.