Episode Description:

In this episode of Accreditation Made Easy, we take a closer look at how acronyms—common in the criminal justice field—can either help or hinder your accreditation work. From miscommunications that waste hours to the importance of spelling out terms, we explore practical strategies to keep your documentation clear, consistent, and assessor-ready. You'll learn how to create a living acronym glossary, the benefits of keeping it accessible, and how small changes in clarity can make a big impact on compliance and professionalism.

Timestamps:

0:00 – Introduction & prevalence of acronyms in criminal justice

0:44 – How acronyms can cause confusion

1:16 – Why misunderstanding acronyms impacts accreditation work

1:44 – The “UOF” misunderstanding example

2:52 – How misinterpretations can delay progress and create extra work

3:24 – Clear communication: asking until you’re sure

3:53 – Spelling out acronyms to remove ambiguity

4:26 – Creating and storing a living acronym glossary

5:00 – Why acronyms affect consistency and accuracy

5:39 – Ask, clarify, and write it down for future reference

6:07 – Free downloadable acronym list & sharing resources with your team

Companion Content: Acronyms Common in Accreditation

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Episode Description:

In this episode of Accreditation Made Easy, we explore the hidden value in looking back at your agency’s accreditation history. From archived assessments to the history tab of a standard, to comparing manuals without waiting for that “new version available” button—these tools can give you powerful insight into your agency’s journey toward compliance. Whether you’re brand new to accreditation or a seasoned assessor, these features can help you save time, build consistency, and deepen your understanding of the standards.

Timestamps:

0:00 – Introduction & why history matters in accreditation

0:40 – Archived assessments: what they are and how to access them

2:10 – Why toggling between active and archived assessments is so valuable

2:45 – History of a standard: how it works and why it’s useful

4:10 – Examples of when to use the history tab

4:45 – Compare manuals feature: how to view and compare any version

5:55 – Why looking back can improve your current compliance

6:25 – Companion documents overview & closing thoughts

Companion Documents:

• Archived Assessments
• History of Each Standard
• Compare Manuals Feature

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Episode Description:

In this episode of the Accreditation Made Easy podcast, Areaka Jewell walks listeners through the major updates to the Accreditation Academy Content Hub. From a new improved folder organization to training videos, templates, and the ever-expanding proof bank, she details how the Hub has evolved into a powerful, practical tool for accreditation professionals at any stage. Whether you're brand new or in your fifth cycle, this episode is packed with updates and guidance on how to get the most from the Hub—plus a reminder to share the free version with others in your network.

Timestamps

0:00 – Introduction and purpose of the episode

0:45 – Background: Why the Hub was created

1:18 – Helpful Tips folder now organized into six subfolders

2:24 – Value of organization and how it helps

3:15 – Addressing the two most common questions

4:15 – Expanded templates and forms section

4:47 – Proof bank growth and how to use it

6:00 – Accreditation Manager training course overview

7:45 – Podcast episodes now embedded in the Hub

8:03 – Try the full version of the Hub free for 30 days

8:57 – Encouraging listeners to share the free version

9:22 – Final thoughts and subscription reminder

Companion Content

Referral Post – Pay It Forward

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Episode Description:

In this special crossover episode of Accreditation Made Easy, host Areaka Jewell shares her recent appearance on the Beyond the Checklist podcast by the National Association for Accreditation Leadership. From her start in Key West PD to founding the Accreditation Academy, Areaka talks with Kevin Rhea about real-life experiences that shape successful accreditation. Learn how to build sustainable systems, train your team, and create momentum that lasts.

🕐 Timestamps & Topics Covered:

1:43 – Welcome and guest intro

2:30 – Areaka shares how she fell into accreditation and turned it into a calling

4:29 – The value of strong policies and sustainable systems

5:28 – Gaining buy-in from command staff despite rank differences

6:38 – Common challenges faced by accreditation managers

8:08 – Moving beyond checkbox compliance

9:54 – Getting support from leadership

11:45 – Keeping policies current and realistic

15:19 – What a high-functioning accredited agency feels like on-site

17:54 – Real-world red flags from assessments

20:34 – The importance of professional certifications in accreditation

21:56 – Making accreditation a formal leadership track

23:34 – The future of accreditation in public safety

25:15 – Advice for new accreditation professionals

27:11 – Resources to build confidence and community

29:30 – Lightning Round:

• Favorite assessment site?
• Most underrated standard?
• Report writing marathon song?
• Coffee or energy drink?

33:45 – Closing thoughts: It's not about the checklist—it's about the people

Free Download: Accreditation Manager Starter Kit

• 💼 LinkedIn
• 🌐National Association for Accreditation Leadership (NAAL)
• 🎧Beyond the Checklist podcast

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Episode Description:

In this episode of the Accreditation Made Easy podcast, Areaka Jewell explains how changing roles in PowerDMS assessments can save time, reduce frustration, and preserve your work—especially when feedback from mock assessors and formal assessors conflicts. This practical technique ensures no work is wasted and offers flexibility for shifting interpretations. Areaka walks you through exactly how to set up a team member role, change attachment visibility, and return to previous versions of a file with ease.

0:43 – The real question: What do you do when one assessor says "too much" and another says "not enough"?

1:10 – Don't delete anything—just change the role. Here's why.

1:40 – Meet your new favorite tip: Changing attachments to a role like Team Member to temporarily hide them.

2:30 – Step-by-step walkthrough on how to create the Team Member role and update attachment visibility.

4:15 – Real-life story: A recent assessment where this saved an entire file from being deleted due to a “Not Applicable” recommendation.

5:15 – Final tip: Always preserve your work. You can always bring it back later.

5:45 – Free download link and encouragement to share this with a fellow Accreditation Manager.

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In this episode of the Accreditation Made Easy podcast, Areaka Jewell discusses the importance of building accreditation files from the perspective of assessors. She shares practical habits and strategies to enhance the efficiency of the review process, emphasizing consistency, clarity, and organization in documentation. Areaka provides insights on how to label documents, arrange attachments, and provide context to facilitate a smoother assessment experience. The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to adopt these habits to improve their accreditation processes.

0:43 Why thinking like an assessor accelerates every review

1:40 Rhythm breakers: inconsistent labels & formats

2:55 Consistency = Speed— why one clear label style matters

3:40 Use comparable proofs across Years 1‑3

4:30 Follow the standard’s sequence for attachments & highlights

5:25 Limit clicks: combine PDFs and keep highlight labels brief

6:10 Capture requirements in the standard statement, not just the bullets

6:55 Readability check—no zooming required

7:40 Hyperlink vs. upload: how to decide without slowing assessors

8:20 Provide context notes when an attachment isn’t obvious

8:55 Document N/A, waiver, exemption—keep assessors in the Attachments tab

9:35 Point assessors to interviews & observables (who, where)

10:15 Create an “Assessors” user group to avoid inbox clutter

11:05 Consistency above all—note any necessary deviations

11:50 Free checklist link & call to action

Get the one‑page checklist of all 12 habits—ready to print or share.

Companion Guide Download

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Episode Description:

In this episode of Accreditation Made Easy, Areaka Jewell dives into a powerful mindset shift around mentorship. We often imagine mentors as seasoned professionals offering long-term advice—but that’s only part of the story. Areaka explores how mentors can come from unexpected places, including peers, younger professionals, and even people you’ve never met.

Whether you’re new to accreditation or navigating a new phase in the process, this episode will inspire you to build a stronger, more diverse support system. You’ll also hear why “more guidance means more growth” and how to take the first step—even if you’re not sure where to begin.

Timestamps:

0:45 – Reflecting on how many of us had different mentors growing up: teachers, coaches, counselors

1:20 – Why we need more tailored support as adults, especially in accreditation roles

2:00 – Broadening the definition of mentorship beyond the traditional view

3:00 – Real-world example: how different people can help with policy writing, on-site prep, or tech tasks

4:30 – Mentors don’t have to be older or long-term—what short-term, situational guidance looks like

5:40 – Why even informal mentorship matters, and how others become invested in your success

6:25 – Learning from people you’ve never met: social media, conferences, books, and blogs

7:30 – Questions to ask yourself about where you need support and who might guide you

8:10 – Encouragement to keep asking, observing, and learning as you build your mentor network

8:45 – Areaka shares an idea for a mentorship resource she’s building for listeners

Download today's discussion: https://public.powerdms.com/theacademy/documents/2337383

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Connect with Areaka

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Know someone doing great things in the accreditation world—or want to share your own insights? We’re always looking for experienced Accreditation Managers, assessors, and change-makers to join us on the podcast. Sign up to be a guest or share with a colleague