AZA Accreditation: Program, Process, & Standards Staff Contacts

1. AccreditationA Thru ZFor Institutions&Inspectors

2. The Program, The Process, & The Standards

3. Staff Contacts at AZA • Jennifer DiNenna, Manager, Accreditation Programs, ext. 248 [jdinenna@aza.org] • Denny Lewis, Vice President, Accreditation Programs, ext. 265 [dlewis@aza.org]

4. Accreditation is…. …A conformity assessment process using experts in a particular field to identify standards of acceptable operation & performance, & to measure compliance with them (Fundamentals of Accreditation)

5. Accreditation….. • Develops professional standards • Provides objective, third-party, expert evaluation based on those standards • Provides assurance of achievement & professionalism • Promotes the continued development of superior facilities and programs

6. Performance Standard (qualitative) • The level of achievement considered minimally acceptable for a performance characteristic (Fundamentals of Accreditation) • the most common & effective measurement used in the majority of accreditation processes • allows for variation & different methods of achieving a desired goal • most AZA standards are performance standards

7. Engineering Standard (quantitative) • A quantity or measurement considered to be minimally acceptable for an engineering characteristic • most common in construction, manufacturing, education curriculum, etc. • does not allow for variation & different approaches to meeting a goal

8. Why AZA? • USDA encouraged AZA • USDA would regulate, if not AZA • Expertise is here • Desire to promote excellence within the profession • Decision to represent only the highest quality institutions

9. AZA’s Accrediting Mission… To: •establish •uphold •raise the highest zoological & aquarium industry standards through self-evaluation, on-site inspection, & peer review.

10. How Does AZA Fulfill That Mission? • Six months reviewing & evaluating documents submitted by institution • 2-5 day on-site inspection • Detailed report from inspection team • Detailed written response from the institution

11. Reports, documents, & other materials submitted by colleagues and/or the public • Interviewing institution officials during Accreditation Commission hearing • Final discussion & vote • Follow-up procedures, when deemed appropriate

12. Why Is Accreditation Important?

13. Accreditation keeps you on course.

14. Why AZA Accreditation Is Important • Representing zoos & aquariums since 1924 • Accrediting institutions since 1974 • Standards cover all areas of operation • Requires a detailed & lengthy (6 month) examination of institutional records, agreements, policies, practices, etc. •Requires a multi-day on-site inspection by a team of 3-5

15. Why AZA Accreditation Is Important • Requires verification that issues identified are addressed • Oversight & decisions determined by 15 professionally recognized experts • Standards & policies generated by the profession, & based on current science & commonly accepted best practices • Progress reports & follow-up inspections required •Modern zoological philosophies & practices required

16. Why AZA Accreditation Is Important •Recognized by the public, government agencies, & the profession • Allows for participation in Green Species Survival Plans • Eases animal exchange with other AZA-accredited institutions •Increases eligibility for grants •Exempts institutions from certain government requirements (primarily at the state or local level) • A credible, detailed, & difficult process

17. Importance of AccreditationIn General • Develops public confidence (objective third-party assurance that professional standards are being met) • Binds the best of a profession together as one voice • Enhances credibility

18. Importance of AccreditationIn General • Promotes growth & improvement within each institution & the profession • Increases ability to attract & retain high quality staff • Provides an independent, reliable source for governmental agencies, private organizations, etc., for assessment purposes

19. AZA Accreditation Commission • Appointed by AZA President-Elect, based on experience within, & knowledge of the profession • Recognized expertise in zoo & aquarium operations, animal management & husbandry, or veterinary medicine • Representing small, medium, & large zoo & aquarium operations

20. AZA Accreditation Commission • 400+ collective years of professional experience • 12 voting Commissioners • 3 non-voting Advisors (past Commissioners) • Commissioners serve two consecutive 3-year terms • Advisors serve one 3-year term

21. The Primary Reviewer • Commissioner or Commission Advisor • Works in conjunction with team chair • Consults with chair before, during, & after inspection • The chair’s direct link to the Commission • Chairs the teams of first-time applicants • Presents case to the Accreditation Commission

22. Inspectors • Three primary roles: 1.Operations/Administration; 2.Husbandry/Animal Management; 3.Veterinary Medicine • Hold individual membership in AZA • Employed at an AZA-accredited institution • Support of employer

23. Inspectors Must… • Have a high level of professional experience • Possess a thorough understanding of accreditation standards & policies • Understand the accreditation process & its value • Have the ability to: • maintain impartiality • maintain confidentiality • stick to the AZA standards • Have good communication skills • Maintain accreditation training requirements

24. Confidentiality • Accreditation cannot be truly effective without a blanket of confidentiality • with institution management • with institution staff • with outside sources • Signed Agreements of Confidentiality • Commissioners (every six months) • Inspectors (every inspection)

25. Materials To ApplyFor Accreditation

26. Guide To The Accreditation ofZoological Parks & Aquariums • Basic information • Application instructions • Process guide • Inspection information • Preparing for the hearing • Report deadlines • General rules & policies • Commonly found concerns • Primary focus areas

27. The Application Questionnaire • March 1 & September 1 • Submit no sooner than 1 month in advance • Enclose payment • Must be submitted on flash drive or CD • Submit 5 copies (recommend keeping 1 copy) • Answer all questions • Include at least 10 photos depicting the institution on a typical day • Director & Governing Authority must sign

28. Preparing Application on Compact Disc or Flash Drive• Place CD or FD in sleeve inside binder• Include one copy of the written questionnaire [no documentation]

29. Preparing Application on Compact Disc or Flash Drive • Attachments should be linked to the “ See CD or Flash Drive” box on the questionnaire • Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Adobe Acrobat (PDF), Power Point, & JPEG • Follow the instructions contained in the “Guide To Accreditation” booklet • Contact us with questions!

30. Accreditation Standards & Related Policies • Accreditation standards • Notation of revisions and additions • Policies • Quarantine procedures • Animal contact with the general public • Program animal position statement & policy • Presentation of Animals • Apes in Media & Commercial Performances • FDA & AZA Agreement on use of animal drugs • Full participation in SSPs • SSP Reconciliation Policy • AZA A&D policy • Code of professional ethics • Administrative policies

31. After The Application Is Submitted… • Weeks 1 & 2 • List of potential inspectors is sent to institution Director for approval • A Primary Reviewer is assigned to each case

32. Weeks 2, 3, 4 • Assignment of team by AZA • Scheduling of the inspection • Team Chair will consultwithinstitution& team members regarding dates • Weeks 3,4,5,6 • Lodging arrangements for inspection team coordinated • Initial review of application by the Primary Reviewer

33. Months 2,3,4,5 • Primary Reviewer & all inspectors study & evaluate all of institution’s materials • Inspection takes place • List of concerns is issued (end of inspection)

34. Months 4, 5, 6 • Inspection team completes and submits its full written report to the Commission • Institution works on addressing concerns • Institution submits its written report to the Commission on how concerns are being addressed [5-6 weeks before hearing]

35. Month 7 • Accreditation hearing takes place • Institution receives copy of full inspection report • Institution receives decision following hearing • Month 8 • Institution receives official letter from Commission & plaque

36. Criteria For Selecting Team Members • 2-5 inspectors from accredited institutions (one for each primary role: operations, animal management, veterinary) • Institutions with elephants will have an additional inspector assigned for the elephant program • Experience to match institutional focus (aquariums, aviaries, etc.)

37. Criteria For Selecting Team Members • One inspector from previous team,when possible • One inspector with experience at similar size institution • A qualified team chair

38. Primary Areas of Expertise of Inspection Team Members Veterinary Animals Safety/Security Staffing Research Records Veterinary prog. Veterinary care Quarantine Food prep Nutrition Med facilities Med procedures Drug storage Ops Animals Safety/Security Staffing Conservation Operations Finance Maintenance Gov. Authority Support Org Education Training Guest services Curatorial Animals Safety/Security Staffing Conservation Research Records Maintenance Exhibits Holding Husbandry Facilities Training Graphics

39. Final Steps In Team Assembly • Inspectors will be called by AZA office • Inspectors are given 3 days to answer • Materials provided • application & supporting documents • previous inspection report • Inspector’s Handbook • Visiting Committee Report Form • Agreement of Confidentiality

40. Team Chair’s Responsibilities • Inspection dates & lodging arrangements • Coordinate inspection in advance • Communicate with the Primary Reviewer before, during, & after inspection • Ensure enough time is scheduled to conduct exit interview & discuss list of concerns

41. Team Chair’s Responsibilities • Ensure that all items on List of Concerns cite the standard(s) to which they apply • Ensure that the List of Concerns is sent to AZA once the inspection is over • Ensure team’s narrative report is written & formatted correctly • Ensure report is delivered to AZA when due • Ensure photos are taken & prepared correctly, & delivered on time

42. General Pointers • Allow adequate time for a thorough inspection & exit interview • Avoid recommending solutions • Stick to the AZA standards • Base judgment & recommendation on existing operation • Review the previous team’s concerns • Consider all seasons during assessment • Communicate lesser concerns as identified • Assure staff of confidentiality

43. General Pointers • Question staff randomly as encountered • Note positive & negative points in report • Business dress for Board/Gov. Authority; business casual for inspection • Don’t reveal team’s recommendation • Photo-document the inspection

44. PhotosDoes this photo really need that caption?

45. Photos • Take us with you through the institution • Depict the items you will likely cite • Depict the good, the fun, & the cuddly • Explain the photo with a caption • Photos of a concern • Photos of the institution & exhibits • Photos of the inspection taking place • Caption on photo or in title • JPEGs or Power Point

46. A caption would help!

47. Good caption! It identifies the location & exhibit.

48. Caption indicates this is an illustrative photo.

49. And this depicts? Needs caption!

50. Voted most effective sign by 9 out of 10 guests.