Beginning the Application Process
- Begin by referring to the Tobacco Treatment Specialist Program Accreditation Application and the Tobacco Treatment Specialist Core Competencies and skill sets to determine how closely the program aligns with the accreditation standards.
- When you are confident that your program meets the accreditation standards, the next step is to gather and organize the required documentation and assemble it to complete the accreditation application.
- As you complete the section of the application entitled "Required Competencies and Skill Sets for TTS Program Accreditation," be sure to note specifically where each required competency area/skill set is addressed in the material you are submitting for review. The members of the Council who review the application must be able to turn directly to the content as they review the application. For skill sets that are covered in several sections, please describe how to locate each reference point.
- For skill sets that are demonstrated during break-out sessions or activities, describe the session or activity and explain how the skill set is addressed.
- Two (2) complete copies of the accreditation application must be submitted. One copy must be a hard copy. The second copy may be submitted either as a PDF Portfolio electronically, an online storage link (dropbox.com or box.com) or on a USB flash drive (thumb drive) containing a PDF file of the complete application, including all program information and forms. When submitting information electronically, please be certain that the content is indexed so that each section can be easily accessed when your program is under review and discussed by the councilors.
- The hard copy must be in a 3-ring binder with tabs for each exhibit. If you are not sending USB drives containing your submission, 5 separate, complete binders containing identical materials must be submitted.
- Please enclose the $500 fee with your accreditation application.
- Please make sure your application is packaged securely for shipping.
- Mail all application materials to Council for Tobacco Treatment Training Programs: 5775 Wayzata Blvd, Suite 700, St. Louis Park, MN 55416
When Your Application Arrives at CTTTP Headquarters
- Upon receipt, the CTTTP staff performs an initial inspection of the application.
- If there are any easily identified problems, the designated contact person for the applicant program is contacted by a CTTTP staff member. An effort is made to resolve any apparent problem(s) before the application is forwarded to the members of the Council and the review begins. If, when the application arrives, everything is in order, the designated contact person is notified that the application has been received in the CTTTP office.
- If there are no apparent problems or after any issues have been resolved, the councilors are informed that an application has arrived and the application is forwarded to the participating members of the Council, along with review instructions and checklists.
- CTTTP staff allows time for each reviewing councilor to thoroughly assess the program.
- After the members of the Council independently complete an initial assessment, a telephonic meeting takes place in which the application is discussed.
- CTTTP facilitates the telephonic meeting, writes a report of the councilors' findings, and drafts a letter back to the applicant program's contact person.
After the Initial Review
- Due to the complexity and volume of material covered in an accreditation review process, some questions from the members of the Council should be expected. Questions will be sent to the designated contact person for the applicant program.
- The letter will suggest a time frame during which the applicant program should provide additional information. If there are issues that make it difficult to meet the suggested time frame, the designated contact person may contact CTTTP to ask for a later date.
- After the additional information is provided, a second review, approximating the steps in the section "When Your Application Arrives at CTTTP Headquarters" occurs.
- If more clarification is needed, another follow-up letter will be sent out. When the members of the Council are satisfied that they have a full understanding of the program, a decision is rendered.
After the Review is Completed
- After an accreditation review is completed, the designated contact person for the applicant program is informed of the results of the review.
- The program may be approved for accreditation, conditionally accredited, or not approved for accreditation.
- Review results are sent via email and postal mail.
- If a program is approved for accreditation, a certificate will be mailed along with information about the requirements for maintaining accreditation.
When a Program is Conditionally Accredited
- Conditional approval is granted to high-quality programs with one or more area that need to be strengthened in order for the Council to grant approval for accreditation.
- If a program is conditionally accredited, an upgrade time-frame will be suggested in the letter informing the designated contact person of the Council decision.
- Prior to the time suggested for applying to upgrade, changes to the program must be implemented so that full accreditation is achievable.
- When all concerns expressed by the Council have been addressed, the contact person for the conditionally approved program may submit five (5) sets of information demonstrating the programmatic changes that have been implemented and detailing how these changes address the areas of concern.
- The review will proceed very much like the initial review.
When a Program is Not Approved for Accreditation
- A program is not approved for accreditation if the overall quality does not meet the accreditation standards or if after being conditionally accredited, changes are not made to address concerns expressed by the Council.
- When a program is not approved for accreditation, the denial letter will provide information about the appeal process.
- When a program is not approved for accreditation, the application is closed and a new application process must be initiated if in the future it is decided that the program is now ready for consideration. Applicant programs must meet requirements in place at the time of application.