News & Events

2009 Events

Accreditation Review Volunteer Orientation Workshop

A training that you can attend from the comfort of your home is scheduled for June 30, 2009 at 7pm Eastern Standard Time.

We look forward to meeting up with you virtually for MEAC's Site Visitor/Accreditation Reviewer Training. This orientation will involve a conference call lead by Executive Director, Jo Anne Myers-Ciecko, with an accompanying power point that you will view on your computer simultaneously.

For more information about participating, email info@meacschools.org.

MEAC Highlights 2008

• In October, MEAC held a pre-conference workshop at the MANA Conference titled The Midwifery Model of Accreditation: Quality, Strength and Diversity in Education. Midwifery educators and administrators from across the country attended to learn more about MEAC and to prepare for accreditation.

• In August, the MEAC office moved to La Conner, WA. Be sure to update your records with the new mailing address and phone numnber for the office.

• In July, MEAC hired a new Executive Director, Jo Anne Myers-Ciecko, MPH and a new Administrative Assistant, Kristin Effland, CPM, LM.

MEAC Highlights 2007

• In August, the MEAC BOD approved new Standards of Accreditation, the culmination of a year of focused work.

• The revision of our Accreditation Handbook has been completed, and we are underway with the updating of our Site Visit materials.

• Reports filed this year indicate that in 2006, there were 582 students enrolled in MEAC accredited programs. 77 students graduated. In 2006, MEAC schools turned out 65 new CPMs.

• From 2004 –2006, there were a total of 197 graduates. Of these, 173 took the NARM exam, and 97% of that cohort passed. Half of the graduates also took their state exam and got licensed.

• At the beginning of 2007, there were 422 students actively enrolled in MEAC programs.

• Our operating budget is comprised of approximately 80% revenue from the schools’ sustaining fees, and 20% grants and donations. About 1% comes from the support of our sister organizations.

• We have one new school beginning the process of accreditation, and four other potential candidates. We offer these schools one on one support through our Accreditation Specialist.

• We will have four renewal of accreditation applications due in this fiscal year.

• We are writing a grant to fund a “Future of Midwifery Education Summit”, which will involve educators, policy makers, and midwives in an important national dialogue.

• We invited our sister boards to a training on our new Standards, and continue to work toward greater transparency and collaboration with other boards.

• We have submitted our application for a renewal of recognition with the US Department of Education (USED) and will attend the meeting of National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity in Washington, DC, in December. The USED analyst was in attendance at our Fall meeting to observe.

• We have had two resignations from the BOD, Jodie Palmer and Allison Israel, and are actively searching to fill these vacancies through Spring, 2009.

• At this time, having adopted our new standards, submitted our petition for recognition to the USED, strengthened the board, established the position of Accreditation Specialist, and had several years of operating in a fiscally sustainable model, our Executive Director is stepping down. A new Executive Director will be hired by the beginning of the year, and Mary Ann will be instrumental during the training and transition period.