Standards for AbilityOne Performance Excellence
The Academy is committed to delivering learning
solutions that build the capacity and capability of
NPAs. The curriculum is built around core standards
that address the critical competency requirements for
successful and effective programs.
The standards describe the characteristics proven
to support NPAs in achieving success in the AbilityOne
Program and other business environments. Together,
these standards drive the content of all training
initiatives. The more complex standards, including
Leadership, Front-Line Supervision, and Project
Management, also include specific competencies
that are matched to NISH training programs in the
following section.
Links
NPA leaders must have the expertise necessary to
provide the needed leadership to the organization.
This leadership function is further defined as having
leadership at all levels, including: the interest of
and direction from the board of directors, strong
CEOs and executive leadership, effective middlemanagement
structures, succession planning and
leadership support, and involvement from front-line
management. As leadership requirements may change
and as organizations change or develop new initiatives,
businesses and/or programs, organizations must
possess the capacity to ensure new leadership and
management practices can be rapidly instituted.
Fourteen leadership competencies currently serve as
the foundation for the Academy's leadership training.
See Leadership Competencies.
NPAs are governed by elected, voluntary boards of
directors that consist of individuals who represent the
diversity and needs of the community in which they
are located. People with disabilities are represented
on boards. As NPAs become more business-like,
so must their boards. Board members possess the
expertise, interest, time, and commitment required to
assist in providing direction to the organization through
planning, corporate governance, establishing policy,
committing resources, and monitoring performance.
Board members, as well as staff, act in the best interest
of the organization, practice ethical behavior, and
avoid conflicts of interest. Board expertise supports
and strengthens the strategy and direction of the
organization. The board is involved in determining if
new and/or expanded strategies fit the mission,
business capabilities, and financial capabilities of
the organization.
While mission statements and programs vary based
on community and consumer need, the essence of
the mission for all AbilityOne NPAs is to "train and
employ people with disabilities." Programs and services
may also vary to include assessment, training, and
job placement. NPAs have a well-defined strategic
planning process that includes: the development of the
mission; the periodic review of the mission, services,
and programs needed by their defined community and
customer base; goal setting; and evaluating program
effectiveness. Further, NPAs have a mechanism for
determining and analyzing which potentially new
initiatives (e.g., new business enterprises, participation
in the AbilityOne Program) meet the strategy and
mission of the organization. NPAs effectively balance
their business enterprises (the means) and their
missions (the ends).
NPAs' greatest investment lies within their human
resources. NPAs have the staff and expertise to conduct
their missions. In particular, they have the business
and technical expertise, talent, and competency to
ensure success in their AbilityOne and other business
enterprises. Resources are committed to developing
human potential and to meeting the recruitment and
retention demands for employees within the NPA
workforce. NPAs have the ability to recruit workers
with disabilities in sufficient numbers to support their
AbilityOne work, as well as to meet staff requirements.
NPAs have sound financial management, follow
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, have an
established budgeting and review process, and maintain
financial tracking/monitoring processes that provide
information about organization and business unit (cost
centers) earnings and losses. AbilityOne-producing
NPAs meet financial accountability requirements
established by the Federal Government. NPAs plan for
and manage financial resources for their current and
expanding businesses. NPAs have capital or the ability
to obtain the necessary resources to support business
and other growth, manage cash flow during growth, and
have the financial infrastructure (staff and processes)
to manage growth. NPAs have an increasing percentage
of revenue from non-traditional business sources
such as business income. NPA executives and boards
engage in risk analysis and sound decision making
when considering growth and directional change. NPAs
share financial information throughout the organization,
providing accurate and timely information, and allowing
for decision making and corrective action as needed.
NPAs practice stewardship so that more resources are
committed to supporting their missions. NPAs may
further demonstrate a strong financial track record when they display a history of surplus in revenues over
expenses, possess a cash operating reserve, consider
investing in their future through such programs as
endowments, are adequately financially leveraged,
and show the ability to be financially flexible enough to
support changes in service and business delivery.
NPAs are regulated by a variety of funding,
governmental, and business partners. NPAs comply with
legal requirements of nonprofits, meet all regulatory
requirements dictated by these partnerships and, if
involved in AbilityOne, comply with all the regulations
of the Program. NPAs have established methods for
gathering and supplying the information and data
required. NPAs conduct periodic reviews of their
compliance to regulatory and legal requirements and
supply the results to the leadership and board. NPAs
have processes to address risk management and other
liability concerns.
NPAs have a unique responsibility in the area of public
policy and governmental affairs. NPAs advocate on
behalf of the service needs of their constituents—people
with disabilities. Providing public education; advocating
on public policy issues; serving as a resource to
policy makers; and "calling to action" their boards,
staff, constituents, and friends are among their
responsibilities in this area.
NPAs have strong business aptitudes and business
acumen. Staff and management have expertise or the
ability to obtain expertise in any identified business area
as needed. The organization has established systems
for developing businesses, costing/pricing business and
new initiatives, and analyzing break-even and other cost
considerations. NPAs identify core competencies and
determine new market potential with attention to the
business as well as client/consumer issues. NPAs have
inventory management control, purchasing, accounts
receivable and payable, and transportation and delivery
processes necessary to support business initiatives.
NPAs have the physical plant and equipment needed
to support business needs. The organization has the
infrastructure capability to manage all aspects of the
business and projected growth. The organization also
has the related services (e.g., marketing) needed to
support and enhance the business.
NPAs are committed to providing high-quality services
and products. NPAs establish and utilize quality
management systems that ensure efficiency and
effectiveness, and facilitate high-quality provision. NPAs
develop processes, criteria, and methods applicable to
the particular business enterprise and facilitate meeting
customer requirements. The quality management
process includes work planning, flow and scheduling,
purchasing, product/service audits, sampling and/or
inspection, and management review. Methods for taking
corrective action and making continuous improvements
are in place. Specific, measurable criteria defining
quality are developed for each product and service area.
Measurements might include on-time delivery, level of
customer satisfaction, customer complaints, amount of
work conforming to customer specification, and other
indicators specific to the service or product.
NPAs view customers as their partners in service
and product provision. They shape their services and
products to meet client needs and are constantly
pursuing clients' new or changing needs. They have
established methods of communicating with customers
about need and satisfaction. Attention is also placed on
innovation and the ability to assist customers in saving
money, cutting costs, gaining best value, and obtaining
cutting-edge product or service advantages.
NPAs have established reputations and documented
track records with constituents, funders, customers
and other business partners of providing high-quality
services or products that are delivered on time, at
competitive prices, and meet any other specified best
value criteria.
NPAs use technology to manage their businesses.
Leaders and managers have access to the Internet and
have the ability to communicate via e-mail. Technology
is used for communication, staff development, business
operations and data collection. The ability to invoice
and receive payments electronically is critical to
participation in the AbilityOne Program.
NPAs invest in skilled and competent staff responsible
for front-line supervision and decision making. Business
success is frequently determined by the skills, abilities
and competencies of individuals responsible for frontline
management. Selection of individuals with the
experience and aptitude for the job is one of the most
important decisions made by NPA leaders. The ability
of project managers to manage relationships with
customers, employees and suppliers is critical as well.
NPA leaders provide supervisors and project managers
with the support, development, resources, tools and
information needed to make the business enterprise
a success. For specific competencies addressing
supervisors and project managers, click here.
NPAs participating in the AbilityOne Program are
expected to achieve and maintain a level of performance
that meets both customer need and program regulatory
requirements. These criteria are defined by meeting
both customer satisfaction and regulatory requirements.
NPA meets the following requirements for customer satisfaction on AbilityOne contracts:
NPA meets the following regulatory requirements:
NPAs are committed to the highest quality of service
to people with disabilities. The AbilityOne Standards of
Excellence do not address rehabilitation services. State,
national, and international review and accrediting bodies
address this area.
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