V. The Process

LVA established a system to accredit organizations on a three-year cycle. By June 30, 1999, local organizations will be asked to sign and file a Local/Mid-Level/National Agreement to move toward Accreditation.

The LVA mid-level system, in cooperation with affiliates, will develop a plan for providing technical assistance (TA) to affiliates. The plan will identify what each affiliate needs to become accredited and how the mid-level system will assist the affiliate.

Affiliate staff and the mid-level representative will develop a time line for that affiliate. State offices and liaisons will identify which affiliates can be accredited during the first year, the second year, and third year.

LVA�s goal is to assist affiliates in providing the best, most effective tutoring experience possible for students. This begins with the management of the program. It is the primary reason the Accreditation process is so important to literacy providers.

Imagine being able to say to a potential funding source that your program is accredited and meets the highest national standards in the industry. The goal of LVA-National and its mid-levels is to help affiliates attain these standards! Technical assistance for Accreditation will therefore be available to affiliates to assist them with the process.

Additionally, LVA will provide a variety of materials:

• information sheets and a Fund Development Resource Guide (included in the Introducing LVA Accreditation kit)
• a short video on Accreditation for use by local organizations (Included in the Introducing LVA Accreditation kit)
• the Accreditation Standards Manual (mailed to you with the kit)
• the self-assessment instrument
• the Accreditation Tool Box which will include sample policies, plans, and other materials to be adapted by local organizations (the Accreditation Tool Box will be available in print and will be updated regularly on LVA�s Web site)
• materials and a self-assessment instrument to assess compliance with the "Principles for Effective Training"
• a clearinghouse of resources and materials
• rapid turnaround and dissemination of best demonstrated practices