HOW DO WE COMPLETE THE NARRATIVE TEMPLATE?

Each Table of Evidence is preceded by an Administration and Management, Service Delivery Administration, or Service Narrative that requires a written response by your organization. This is an opportunity for your organization to describe what is unique about your structure or services and to elaborate on areas of excellence or improvement. It is helpful to answer the questions and describe the process used to implement the standards as if writing to an audience that is not familiar with your organization. When possible and feasible, use examples to illustrate a point and ensure that all responses are both succinct and relevant.

To facilitate the process of writing the narratives, COA has created customized templates (see example 1). These templates are Word documents and can be found in the Related Files for each applicable standards section. Download the file and type your response to each question in the box provided.

Additionally, you are strongly encouraged to submit a draft narrative for each of the three sections--Administration and Management, Service Delivery Administration, and Service Standards--to your COA Coordinator for review and feedback prior to the Self-Study submission. He or she can provide comments regarding the content and length of your narratives and what type of information will be most helpful to the Peer Team.

Note regarding the Service Narratives: Your organization will submit documents with its Service Narratives that will also provide evidence that the peer review team will use to rate a number of Administration and Management, and Service Delivery Administration standards. The following table identifies the standards that are related to certain service narrative elements. Please keep this in mind as you prepare your Self-Study.