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:

00:00 – Introduction & why history matters in accreditation

00:40 – Archived assessments: what they are and how to access them

02:10 – Why toggling between active and archived assessments is so valuable

02:45 – History of a standard: how it works and why it’s useful

04:10 – Examples of when to use the history tab

04:45 – Compare manuals feature: how to view and compare any version

05:55 – Why looking back can improve your current compliance

06:25 – 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

00:00 – Introduction and purpose of the episode

00:45 – Background: Why the Hub was created

01:18 – Helpful Tips folder now organized into six subfolders

02:24 – Value of organization and how it helps

03:15 – Addressing the two most common questions

04:15 – Expanded templates and forms section

04:47 – Proof bank growth and how to use it

06:00 – Accreditation Manager training course overview

07:45 – Podcast episodes now embedded in the Hub

08:03 – Try the full version of the Hub free for 30 days

08:57 – Encouraging listeners to share the free version

09:22 – 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:

01:43 – Welcome and guest intro

02:30 – Areaka shares how she fell into accreditation and turned it into a calling

04:29 – The value of strong policies and sustainable systems

05:28 – Gaining buy-in from command staff despite rank differences

06:38 – Common challenges faced by accreditation managers

08:08 – Moving beyond checkbox compliance

09:54 – 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

• 🌐Website
• 🙋‍♀️Digital Business Card
• 💼 LinkedIn
• 📘 Facebook
• 📸 Instagram

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

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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

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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• 📘 Facebook
• 📸 Instagram

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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

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

• Digital Business Card
• Accreditation Academy Website
• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn

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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

Episode Description:

If you’ve ever opened an Analytics report in PowerDMS and thought, “This doesn’t look assessor-ready,” you’re not alone. In this episode, Areaka walks you through three simple but powerful steps to make your reports clean, clear, and proof-ready. From how to filter and print them correctly to the secret sauce—scheduling reports just to save your filters and formatting—this is one of those small changes that makes a big difference. Whether you're prepping signature summaries, training logs, or review records, this episode will help you save time and show consistency across your assessment.

📌 Timestamps:

0:43 – Welcome back! A quick but impactful episode about how to make Analytics reports assessment-ready.

1:22 – The challenge: Analytics reports often don’t look clean enough to use as proofs.

2:00 – Step 1: Run and filter your report. Pick the right data, apply your filters, then refresh.

2:40 – Step 2: Print to PDF using HTML and the browser’s print feature for clean formatting.

4:12 – Why Microsoft Print to PDF creates better results than screenshots or downloads.

5:15 – Step 3: The secret sauce—schedule your report (even if you don’t want it emailed).

5:55 – Walkthrough: How to access Schedule Delivery and save your settings for reuse.

6:50 – Tip: Select “Specific Months” and give your report a smart name to stay organized.

7:32 – Consistency is key! Scheduling saves your filters so you’re not starting over each time.

8:10 – Download your free Companion Guide for the step-by-step visuals.

8:25 – Thanks for listening and don’t forget to share, subscribe, and leave a review.

📥 Free Resource:

Download your Companion Guide with a full feature breakdown: 👉 Download the Companion Guide

🔗 Stay Connected:

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⭐️ If this episode helped you:

Please take a moment to rate, review, and follow Accreditation Made Easy wherever you get your podcasts. Your feedback helps others discover helpful content and keeps this community growing strong. See you next time!

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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

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:

00:45 – Reflecting on how many of us had different mentors growing up: teachers, coaches, counselors

01:20 – Why we need more tailored support as adults, especially in accreditation roles

02:00 – Broadening the definition of mentorship beyond the traditional view

03:00 – Real-world example: how different people can help with policy writing, on-site prep, or tech tasks

04:30 – Mentors don’t have to be older or long-term—what short-term, situational guidance looks like

05:40 – Why even informal mentorship matters, and how others become invested in your success

06:25 – Learning from people you’ve never met: social media, conferences, books, and blogs

07:30 – Questions to ask yourself about where you need support and who might guide you

08:10 – Encouragement to keep asking, observing, and learning as you build your mentor network

08:45 – Areaka shares an idea for a mentorship resource she’s building for listeners

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

🔗 Stay Connected:

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⭐️ If this episode helped you:

Please take a moment to rate, review, and follow Accreditation Made Easy wherever you get your podcasts. Your feedback helps others discover helpful content and keeps this community growing strong. See you next time!

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

📌 Episode Description:

In this short but powerful episode, Areaka walks you through why Adobe Acrobat Pro isn’t just a luxury—it’s a must-have tool for anyone managing accreditation. From merging multi-year proofs to converting forms and policies, Acrobat Pro gives you the power to edit, bundle, and manage PDFs like a pro (literally). This isn’t just theory—these are tools Areaka uses every single day.

Timestamps:

0:44 – Areaka opens the episode with excitement about one of her favorite accreditation tools: Adobe Acrobat Pro.

1:10 – Overview of Acrobat Reader vs. Acrobat Pro.

1:35 – Edit PDF Tools: Add or revise text, insert images, create internal/external links, and more.

2:00 – Prepare Forms Tools: Build fillable forms with digital signature options—something Reader doesn’t offer.

2:30 – Organize Pages Tools: Rearrange pages, insert files, or split documents with ease.

2:50 – Create PDF Tool: Turn Word, Excel, PowerPoint, web pages, and scanned images into PDFs.

3:10 – Export PDF Tool: Convert PDFs back into editable formats like Word or Excel—perfect for updating shared resources.

3:40 – Real-world accreditation examples: combining multi-year proofs, editing other agencies’ forms, and building pre-read packets with hyperlinks.

5:50 – Final encouragement: Acrobat Pro is a powerful way to streamline and simplify accreditation tasks.

📥 Free Resource:

Download your Companion Guide with a full feature breakdown: 👉 Download the Companion Guide

🔗 Stay Connected:

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🌐 Website

📘 Facebook

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⭐️ If this episode helped you:

Please take a moment to rate, review, and follow Accreditation Made Easy wherever you get your podcasts. Your feedback helps others discover helpful content and keeps this community growing strong. See you next time!

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

Episode Description:

In this short but powerful episode, Areaka Jewell breaks down one of the most common stressors in accreditation—keeping track of proofs of compliance. If your current system involves sticky notes, spreadsheets, or files only you understand, it might be time to switch gears. Learn how to use PowerDMS Assessment Tasks to assign responsibilities, set recurring reminders, and generate quick reports that show exactly what’s missing (and who owes it to you).

📌Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction: Why proof tracking causes chaos and how today’s episode helps

01:10 – The real challenge: Too many standards, too many moving parts

02:27 – What assessment tasks are and why they work

03:38 – Step-by-step: How to set up and assign assessment tasks

05:58 – Task maintenance: When to mark complete (and why not to delete!)

07:05 – Pro tip: Copy tasks into future assessments to save time

07:50 – Reporting: How to filter tasks to generate actionable reports

08:20 – Implementation tips: Set a realistic goal and stick with it

08:55 – Free download + how to stay connected

Get the companion how-to guide that walks you through PowerDMS Task Setup step by step:

👉 Download the Free Task Setup Guide

📬 Stay Connected with Areaka Jewell:

• 🌐 Digital Business Card
• 🖥 Website
• 👍 Facebook
• 📸 Instagram
• 💼 LinkedIn

⭐️ If this episode helped you:

Please take a moment to rate, review, and follow Accreditation Made Easy wherever you get your podcasts. Your feedback helps others discover helpful content and keeps this community growing strong. See you next time!

Connect with Areaka

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🌐 Website

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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

Episode Description:

In this episode, Areaka Jewell dives into a key moment in every assessment—assessor interviews. Whether you're brand new to accreditation or a seasoned accreditation manager, knowing what to expect from interviews and how to prepare staff can make all the difference. Areaka also introduces her newest tool, the Accreditation Readiness Coach, which provides realistic, no-fluff practice for interview-style questions.

📌Timestamps:

• (00:43) Why assessor interviews matter
• (01:27) Who conducts interviews and who gets interviewed
• (02:13) What assessors are looking for during interviews
• (03:07) Where and how interviews take place
• (04:08) Tips for staff: Be real, not rehearsed
• (05:00) Common staff concerns and confidence gaps
• (05:50) Meet the Accreditation Readiness Coach
• (07:10) How to access the tool
• (08:30) Two free downloads to support your prep

📥 Download the Companion Resources:

• Assessor Interview Prep Guide

• Accreditation Readiness Coach Quick Reference

Both guides include a link to the interactive Accreditation Readiness Coach tool — try it for yourself or use it to prepare your team!

📬 Stay Connected with Areaka Jewell:

• 🌐 Digital Business Card
• 🖥 Website
• 👍 Facebook
• 📸 Instagram
• 💼 LinkedIn

⭐️ If this episode helped you:

Please take a moment to rate, review, and follow Accreditation Made Easy wherever you get your podcasts. Your feedback helps others discover helpful content and keeps this community growing strong. See you next time!

Connect with Areaka

🙋‍♀️ Digital Business Card

🌐 Website

💼 LinkedIn

📘 Facebook

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