ANNISTON ARMY DEPOT, Ala - Anniston Army Depot's Army Community Service program completed its accreditation audit on June 10, one day ahead of schedule, with a recommendation for continued accreditation.
The audit was set for June 7-11, but, according to Tawania Brulles, depot ACS director, the auditors quickly went through the necessary paperwork, thanks to the organization and dedication of the ACS staff.
"The audit was supposed to take five days, but the level of organization sped the audit process so that it only took four days," said Brulles, adding the staff used the extra day to hold an after action review.
The audit, which was conducted by a national team representing the Department of the Army, purpose evaluated the ACS program to ensure its allocated funds are used properly. The inspectors also confirmed the depot's ACS programs, which include the Army Family Action Plan, Army Family Team Building, Exceptional Family Member Program and Community Outreach, are accessible for those who need them.
Learning through inspection
The depot's ACS program is 10 years old and was first accredited in 2007. During this audit, ACS staffers learned more about the program and ways to make it more effective for the depot's 50-mile service area.
"Not only were the auditors inspecting us, but they gave awesome on-the-spot corrections, so it was a learning process," said Brulles. "They gave us some good guidance in staffing a Family Assistance Center, especially as it relates to having a staffing matrix to ensure there are enough people to stand up a FAC."
The auditors also had a learning experience during the accreditation process. They were impressed to see ANAD had a mobile FAC, which many of them had never seen, ready to assist with local emergencies if the commander determines it is needed.
Some outside help
To assist with the audit, a temporary volunteer coordinator spent two months at the installation. Anna Maria Vestal came from White Sands, N.M., to ensure ANAD's volunteer program was ready to be inspected. The program has been without a coordinator for more than a year and ACS is currently searching to fill the position permanently.
Vestal said she was happy to help because of her love of Army Family programs. She was not only able to get the program up to accreditation standards, but prepared a book for use by the next coordinator.
While at the depot, Vestal also gained insight she plans to take back to her job in New Mexico. Since ANAD's ACS program works with more civilians than military, she learned how to market her own programs to eligible civilians in the White Sands area.
Future challenges
Brulles became ACS director Jan. 18 and spent many of her first months on the job working toward this audit. With a new director at the helm and no permanent volunteer coordinator in place, many of the program's challenges during the audit were personnel-related. However, the audit ended with the depot meeting all 149 Department of the Army standards.
The most prominent recommendation made by the auditors was for the program to look into ways to be more accessible. Since the depot is a closed installation, there is limited access for those needing assistance from ACS.
Brulles and her staff are taking what they learned from the audit and already preparing for the next one, three years from now, by constantly keeping their records updated and striving to answer the challenges posed by this year's inspection.
"To be effective, accreditation must be a process. It starts the day after you are accredited and goes for the three years until it is time for your next accreditation audit," said Brulles.
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