Certification Process
Certification Process
THE RCO CERTIFICATION IS A 5 STEP PROCESS
Step 1: Self Assessment
During this phase, you will familiarize your organization with the basic framework of a Recovery Community Organization and complete a self-assessment to identify areas of strength and opportunities for growth as an RCO.
Step 2: Application Prep
Once you submit your self-assessment, we will set up a time with you to go over the assessment. Together, we’ll identify strengths and areas that might need work before submitting your application. MARCO can provide coaching, connect you to resources, and help you create a work plan to complete any items needing improvement. Our goal is that all organizations who proceed with applying are 100% prepared.
APPLICATION QUESTIONS (FOR PREPARATION PURPOSES ONLY - THIS IS NOT THE ONLINE APPLICATION)
Step 3: Application
When you are ready, request the application form from MARCO. After you submit your materials, we will check to make sure everything is in place. If something is missing we’ll reach out and allow you to add the missing items. Once you and MARCO confirm that the application is ready for review, we will add it to the next review cycle.
MARCO reviews applications during scheduled times throughout the year. Submitted applications will be assigned to a specific review period, giving priority to applications in the order they are received. The review period takes 2 to 4 months, depending on your organization’s availability for a site visit and other factors.
When you are ready to fill out the online application, please email certification@marcomn.org.
Step 4: Application Review
Applications are reviewed by a team of 3 to 5 RCO community Peer Reviewers who have deep experience in RCO operations. The Peer Reviewers will go over your materials and provide written feedback, using a matrix of RCO criteria. We will also schedule an onsite visit for your organization. (If your operations are primarily virtual, this can be conducted virtually.) One Peer Review and a MARCO team member will conduct the site visit and provide feedback using a matrix of RCO criteria.
After the Peer Reviews have gone through the application materials and the site visit is completed, they will convene to discuss the findings and make a recommendation to MARCO.
Step 5: Certification
The MARCO Executive Director will bring the Peer Reviewers’ certification recommendations to the MARCO Board of Directors, which makes the final determination for certification. Your organization will be certified or asked to make improvements and reapply. All organizations are provided with the Peer Reviewer and MARCO feedback and a final rationale for certification determination.
If your organization is not certified, you will be provided an improvement plan and opportunities for additional MARCO coaching. You may re-submit an application during any future MARCO review cycle.
