Certification and Accountability Sub-Committee

Preliminary Recommendations

*21st Century CSC

*Program Management

*Standard form of governance and accountability structure

*Sufficient staff to manage program

*Employment development and succession plans for key staff

*Leaders will meet hiring/enrollment standards

*Members and staff easily recognizable through uniforms and insignia

*Financial Management

*Implementation of generally accepted accounting principals and financial controls

*Management of and compliance with government contracts

*Maintenance of determined acceptable level of liability and workers compensation insurance

*Regular audits (A-133 where applicable)

*Risk Management

*Written Policies and Procedures

*Staff and member training

*Maintain insurance coverage as required by federal, state and local law

*Human Resources and

Administration

*Maintain either dedicated HR staff or other staff with demonstrated HR experience and expertise

*Written HR policies and procedures

*Payroll and stipend management systems

*Maintain accurate files and records

*Hiring of staff and participants adheres to applicable laws and complies with funding/contractual agreements

*Program Design

*Mission and activities focused on conserving or developing natural and cultural resources and enhancing and maintaining environmentally important lands and water

*Crew based or individual placements depending on project or request of partner/sponsor

*Length of program is adequate and appropriate to meet mission and provide meaningful experience for the member

*Program Design

*Crews are supervised by experienced leaders and staff who have undergone training in basic outdoor education, crew management, discipline and safety (including appropriate level first aid and CPR)

*Individual placements will be supervised by a staff member of the partner organization/agency and will be supported by the 21st C CSC organization

*Programs serving youth will adhere to appropriate legal requirements

*Program Design

*Specialized projects and trainings will be subject to an additional level of certification

*Projects include but are not limited to

*Chainsaw programs

*Back country & spike programs

*GIS programs

*Process & Management

*Structure

*NGO- the Government will outsource the management of 21C CSC to an NGO through competitive bid

*Board-experts in the field provide oversight. Make final determination

*Peer Review Team-manages site visits

*Government Committee-advisory

*Process and Management

*Components-

*Application will consist of written self-assessment followed by an on-site peer review

*Process and Management

*Fee structure

*Portion of the cost paid by organization

*Fee based on organization size/budget and or number of programs certified

*Peer review expenses

*Dedicated federal funding?

*Process and Management

*Length of Certification

*3 Years

*Annual short form report on ‘off years’

*Process and Management

*Decertification/Appeals

*Appeals regarding certification status are submitted to the Board for consideration

*Certifying entity will be responsible for reviewing and managing all certified organizations for compliance

*Opportunity for corrective action-probationary status

*Process and Management

*Emerging Corps/Organizations

*New or small existing organizations may apply for provisional certification

*Managing entity will provide a compliance plan and technical assistance

*Finite timeline for compliance and obtaining full certification

*Evaluation and Reporting

*Program collects information on its operations, services and participants

*Programs establish measurable outcomes that reflect the outcomes of the 21st C CSC

*Programs comply with all federal and other grant and contract reporting requirements.